Jobs and internships

Director of Legal Services

England – Flexible

£71,000

Natural England  is the government’s adviser on the natural environment. Created by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in 2006, our purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations. Our people are not just knowledgeable and experienced, and often the nation’s top experts in what they do, they are also incredibly passionate in delivering positive changes. And, joining us in this new and critical leadership role as Director of Legal Services, you’ll need to share that dedication.

The role

Your role will be to provide legal advice and strategic direction to the Executive Team and Board on all high-profile and contentious matters. You’ll inspire and motivate our geographically dispersed Legal Services Team, embedding a culture of innovation and effective legal risk management and establish continue our learning and profession development as standard. This is a setting where inclusivity and wellbeing are highly valued, and you’ll play an important part in continuing that as you lead the team.

Assessing and managing the demand for legal work, planning and negotiating budgets and resources, and seeking out innovative approaches to ensure value for money and resilience, you’ll find yourself in a visible and influential position here. And this influence will extend beyond Natural England, as you build a strong network of contacts externally too, including with Defra Legal, legal counterparts in other regulators and key stakeholder organisations.

About you

We’re looking for someone with experience as a senior lawyer and a track record of advising at senior levels. You’ll be a creative thinker, with excellent strategic skills and the ability to deliver innovative and practical solutions at pace. You’ll have an excellent understanding of risk management, sound judgement, and be confident working in complex environments. A working knowledge of the political context and experience of leading a team through a period of organisational change will also be essential. You should also bring strong interpersonal, influencing and organisational skills.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 9th August 2021.

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