Taylor Root is partnering with a high-profile, global, mission-led organisation operating at the forefront of environmental science and sustainability.
This is a visible and influential leadership role, working closely with the Foundation’s CEO, Executive Leadership Team, trustees and senior international stakeholders. The successful candidate will be helping to establish strong governance, effective working arrangements and an independent legal capability.
The role
As Interim General Counsel, you will take responsibility for legal, governance, risk and compliance matters across the Foundation and its international charitable entities.
Your responsibilities will include:
Acting as a trusted legal adviser to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, trustees and board chairs
Providing strategic advice during the separation and supporting the Foundation as it establishes its new operating model
Leading charity governance, corporate secretariat and entity management matters
Preparing board agendas, governance papers and supporting effective trustee decision-making
Acting as a governance gatekeeper across a multi-jurisdictional charitable structure
Managing the legal relationship and ways of working between the Foundation and the commercial organisation
Partnering closely with the General Counsel of the commercial business during the transition
Advising on commercial agreements, transitional arrangements and service agreements
Supporting grant, funding and general commercial contracts
Overseeing separation-related and transaction documentation
Owning and developing the organisational risk register
Helping to establish and maintain proportionate compliance and governance frameworks
Coordinating external legal advisers across several jurisdictions
Advising on regulatory engagement and matters involving relevant charity regulators
The legal workload is expected to cover governance and corporate secretariat activity, commercial arrangements, grant agreements, real estate matters, entity management and separation-related work.
About you
This opportunity would suit an experienced General Counsel/ Head of Legal who combines strong technical judgement with excellent governance and stakeholder-management skills. You will be used to supporting business through trasitions and change and be able to provide stability and reliable and robust legal support.
You are likely to bring:
Charity, foundation, NGO or wider mission-led organisation experience would be desirable
If you do not have this experience, a strong desire to work in mission led foundation and have robust international experience
Strong governance and corporate secretariat expertise
Experience advising trustees, boards and senior leadership teams
Credibility operating at Executive and Board level
International legal and governance experience across multiple jurisdictions is essential
Strong risk, compliance and regulatory expertise
Experience navigating organisational change, transactions or complex separation programmes
The ability to work autonomously, make pragmatic decisions and provide calm leadership in a changing environment
Confidence managing external counsel and coordinating legal support internationally
An interest in environmental, sustainability or broader purpose-led work
Knowledge of ESG or sustainability-related regulation would be particularly valuable.
Working arrangements
Location: Central London
Hybrid working: Ideally two to three days per week in the London office, with some flexibility
Duration: Initially approximately six months
Start date: ASAP
Remuneration: Very competitive interim package and will be highly dependent on experience
Why consider this opportunity?
This is a rare chance to help shape the legal and governance foundations of an internationally recognised, purpose-led organisation at a defining point in its development.
You will have genuine influence over how the Foundation operates, while advising senior leaders and trustees on matters central to…