Interim Head of Legal - First Legal Hire

As Head of Legal, you'll design and lead the legal function for a respected housing provider in a 3-month interim role (4 days/week, £500-600/day, outside IR35), with strong potential to move into a permanent position.

Client Details

This award-winning, not-for-profit housing provider manages thousands of homes across the Midlands. With a strong social mission, they reinvest profits into community initiatives, sustainability projects, and affordable housing developments. Recognised for employee engagement and inclusive values, they offer a collaborative, agile working culture and a real opportunity to make a social impact while shaping a brand-new legal function.

Description

The Head of Legal will be:

• Designing and implementing the organisation's first in-house legal team
• Interviewing key stakeholders to assess legal needs and current arrangements
• Drafting role profiles for new legal positions
• Planning and establishing systems, processes, and procedures
• Leading the re-tender process for appointing panel law firms
• Advising on governance, compliance, and risk frameworks
• Supporting strategic goals around development and service delivery

Profile

The Head of Legal should be:

• A solicitor (or equivalent) with proven experience of building in-house legal teams
• Confident in engaging senior stakeholders and assessing organisational legal needs
• Skilled in developing legal operations, systems, and procedures
• Experienced in tendering and managing external law firm panels
• Adept in compliance, governance, and housing-related legal matters
• A strategic thinker with excellent interpersonal skills

Job Offer

• Interim contract: 4 days/week for 3 months, £500-600/day, outside IR35
• Unique opportunity to establish a new legal function
• High-level visibility and influence from day one
• Potential for the role to become permanent
• Work with a mission-led, nationally recognised organisation committed to inclusion, innovation, and community investment
• Flexible, agile working environment with real impact

If you're an experienced Head of Legal, apply now or contact Michael Bailey for more information.