Sole In-house Counsel

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Sole In-House Counsel at Ciarb provides comprehensive legal advice and support across all areas of the organisation. This pivotal role requires a highly skilled professional who:

• Possesses deep legal expertise, with a strong grounding in regulatory and governance frameworks
• Balances commercial understanding with objective, independent legal judgment
• Supports Ciarb’s strategic objectives while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance
• Identifies and mitigates legal, reputational, and ethical risks in line with Ciarb’s values

The Sole In-House Counsel acts as a trusted adviser to the Director of Corporate Services and to internal stakeholders, advising on legal compliance and operations, and contributing to the organisation’s success. Accountable to the Director of Corporate Services, the Sole In-House Counsel is responsible for all legal matters and operations.

The role is based in our London office in Bloomsbury Square with a requirement to work from the office minimum of 2 days per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Advice and Compliance

• With support from the organisation, including Director of Corporate Services, senior management and governance, act as a guardian of the rule of law within the organisation, ensuring that organisational activities align with all relevant law
• Support Director of Corporate Services and senior management to achieve the organisation's objectives and its legal compliance
• Provide accurate, practical and timely legal advice on a broad range of matters, including contracts, employment, corporate governance, data protection, regulatory compliance, and disputes.
• Work collaboratively with Director of Corporate Services, senior leadership, and other stakeholders across all departments to help deliver on strategy and provide legal and regulatory advice from an early stage or when requested, in projects and programs

• Review, draft and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements
• Collaborate with Director of Corporate Services to embed legal risk awareness across projects and initiatives
• Monitor legal developments and ensure timely compliance with changes in legislation and regulation across relevant jurisdictions
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and monitor budget, ensuring effective and cost-efficient legal support
• Maintain and develop internal legal resources, including templates and guidance notes, to improve efficiency and support the wider organisation

Governance and Reporting

Support the Director of Governance and senior leadership on governance and compliance matters to ensure Ciarb operates in line with its governing documents, charity law, and company law obligations.

EXPERIENCE

Essential Skills and Attributes

• A legal qualification recognised by the legal services regulator in England and Wales in the jurisdiction relevant to the organisation’s operations, at least 7 years post-qualification experience, ideally including in-house roles
• Strong working knowledge of contract law, UK charity law, data protection, employment, and governance requirements
• Strong commercial acumen, with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to legal advice
• Proven ability to work autonomously in a sole counsel capacity
• High emotional intelligence, enabling effective collaboration and influence across all levels of the organisation
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers
• Strong organisational and time management skills, able to prioritise competing demands

Desirable Skills and Attributes

• Experience advising membership or professional bodies, particularly those with international reach
• Familiarity with governance and risk frameworks in the not-for-profit or regulated sector
• Experience using legal tech tools to improve efficiency and compliance

Key Behaviours

• Collaboration : Builds trust and works effectively with cross-functional teams
• Commercially Savvy : Demonstrates strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance practical business solutions with legal and regulatory compliance
• Integrity : Models ethical behaviour and legal integrity across the organisation
• Proactivity : Anticipates legal and regulatory developments and responds with foresight
• Resilience : Maintains professionalism and calm under pressure
• Self-sufficiency : Comfortable working independently while recognising when to escalate or seek external input

What's in it for you?

Contract: Permanent

Salary: between £50,000 - £58,000 per annum (Dependent on Experience)

Annual leave: 25 days per annum plus UK bank holidays

Sick pay: Enhanced company scheme subject to terms and conditions

Life assurance: Company life assurance scheme (4 x annual salary)

Pension: Generous Pension Scheme (from day 1 of joining)

Enhanced Family Friendly Leave

And more!

Check out the full range of benefits on offer by using the benefits tab at the top of the page

Application Notes:

A covering letter of ideally one A4 page but no more than two along with your CV is required to complete your application.

See below to view guidance on constructing a cover letter.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 hours by Sunday 10th August 2025.