Interim General Counsel (12-13 month FTC)
Location: Central London
Hybrid working: 3 days onsite, 2 remote
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (12-13 month FTC) – Full-Time
Start date: January 2026 (Interviewing to be scheduled in November 2025)
Salary: up to £115,000 + competitive benefits (pension, annual leave allowance + more).
A prominent UK cultural & arts institution and charity is seeking a highly experienced and commercially astute Interim General Counselto lead its legal function.
This is a senior/ leadership level role within a nationally recognised organisation that delivers innovative, inclusive, and high-profile artistic and cultural events across a key London site.
About the Role
The General Counsel will serve as the principal legal advisor to the organisation, overseeing all legal matters and ensuring robust governance, compliance, and risk management across a diverse portfolio of activities. The primary focus of the role will be commercial, real estate management/property, IT, legal compliance and artistic matters.
The role encompasses:
- Legal Strategy & Advisory: Providing expert legal guidance across commercial, property, intellectual property, compliance, and artistic programming matters.
- Governance & Company Secretarial Duties: Acting as Company Secretary, supporting the Board and ensuring compliance with charity law, company law, and regulatory obligations.
- Contractual Oversight: Leading legal input on high-value and complex projects, including leasehold agreements, technology procurement, artistic commissions, and commercial partnerships.
- Policy & Risk Management: Developing and maintaining legal policies, contributing to the organisational risk register, and overseeing legal risk mitigation strategies.
- Legal Operations: Implementing standardised documentation, training non-legal staff, and streamlining legal processes to support operational efficiency.
- External Counsel Management: Procuring and managing external legal services to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with senior leadership and departmental heads across areas such as development, marketing, visual arts, technical production, and audience engagement.
- Management/Development:You will be responsible for line managing, supporting and developing 1 legal counsel.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor with substantial post-qualification experience and a strong track record of legal leadership within complex organisations. Key requirements include:
- Qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales with a current practising certificate and a minimum of 8 years‘ PQE.
- Expertise in commercial, intellectual property, property, and charity law.
- Experience in-house or advising within the arts, entertainment, hospitality/leisure, retail or charitable sectors is desirable.
- Proven ability to lead legal input on strategic, high-value projects.
- Strong drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities.
- A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the values of public cultural engagement.
Benefits
The organisation offers a competitive benefits package, including:
- Employer pension contribution of up to 9-16%
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working model (3 days onsite, 2 remote)
- Enhanced family leave and sick pay
- Staff discounts at onsite retail and food outlets
- Complimentary access to exhibitions and events
- Season ticket loan and wellness initiatives
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to shape legal strategy and be involved in a diverse range of legal, property and commercial matters within one of UK’s most vibrant cultural institutions. The role offers the chance to work at the intersection of law, creativity, and public engagement, supporting bold and impactful work that reaches millions annually! You’ll be at the epicentre of culture and arts and it will be a rewarding and enjoyable position for the right General Counsel;/Head of Legal seeking a new challenge in 2026.
Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.
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