Senior Legal Manager / Counsel (FTC or Interim)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Manager/Counsel to lead our UK legal function on a fixed‑term or interim day‑rate basis. The role combines hands‑on legal advisory work with people management, data‑protection ownership and close collaboration with senior stakeholders across the UK and Europe.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a small UK‑based legal team and liaise with Group Legal.
• Own data‑protection matters, ensuring GDPR and UK DPA compliance and acting as Data Protection Officer.
• Advise on privacy risk, data incidents and regulatory requirements.
• Negotiate and draft a wide range of commercial contracts, including technology‑focused agreements such as software, cloud/hosting and strategic supplier contracts.
• Collaborate with Group Legal on contracts, compliance, regulatory issues and group initiatives.
• Provide advice on UK regulatory matters including consumer law, intellectual property, competition and sanctions.
• Lead UK compliance activities covering anti‑bribery and modern slavery obligations.
• Contribute to corporate governance, risk management and the identification of legal and regulatory risk.

Required profile

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) or equivalent (CILEX acceptable).
• Significant in‑house legal experience in a commercial environment.
• Experience managing or mentoring legal professionals, or readiness to take on people‑management responsibilities.
• Strong commercial contracting experience, preferably with technology, SaaS or hosting agreements.
• Deep working knowledge of GDPR and UK data‑protection law, with confidence to act as DPO.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Practical, solutions‑driven approach with sound commercial judgement.

Required skills

What we offer

• Fixed‑term or interim day‑rate contract providing flexibility.
• Autonomy and visibility within a regulated, tech‑driven business.
• Opportunity to influence senior decision‑making and shape the UK legal function.