Head of Corporate Legal

Barclays aspires to be the most admired financial services company in the world.  Recognised as a pioneering, customer-focused organisation, Barclays innovates with its products and services and provides unrivalled career prospects for its employees.

Barclays has a highly respected in-house legal function and is recognised externally and internally for the quality of its legal advice.  The department includes a first class Corporate Legal team dedicated to supporting the Group on significant corporate transactions/issues.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, we now wish to appoint an outstanding lawyer to lead the Corporate Legal team.  As Head of Corporate Legal, you will manage the team in the provision of advice to Barclays’ senior management on corporate/M&A transactions and related issues on a global basis.  Managing within a high performing environment you will be accountable for the performance management and ongoing development of the Corporate Legal team.

Technically, you will oversee the work of the team, directly take the lead on complex and/or high value transactions with your team and manage the external legal advice sought by Barclays on corporate/M&A matters.  You will also take an active role in the overall leadership of the wider legal function across the Barclays Group.

We are looking for a proven performer with broad corporate experience, including M&A, JVs/strategic alliances and reorganisations.  Whether currently working in private practice or in-house (within a corporate or financial institution), you will have significant cross-border transactional experience, which will include advising UK listed companies on M&A deals, and therefore exposure to both the Takeover Code and the LSE Listing Rules.  In addition, you will be able to demonstrate a track record of managing teams of lawyers in the execution of deals, and in the context of their overall supervision and career development.

As an individual, you will display leadership skills, gravitas, commercial pragmatism, an ability to inspire confidence at all levels, and both the drive and maturity required to deliver results under pressure.  Whilst not essential, prior exposure to, and a knowledge of, the financial services sector would clearly be advantageous.

Unlike many in-house positions, Barclays offers its lawyers genuine career opportunities across its global legal function.  As an organisation we are committed to long-term career development and our successful employees are rewarded both professionally and financially.