A multi-national professional services business, with global operations across 12 countries and 3,000 direct employees, is now seeking an accomplished and dynamic Head of Group Legal to lead and manage its legal function from its Cork office.
Reporting to the CFO and managing a team of lawyers and data privacy practitioners, this role is critical to supporting the continuing growth and compliance of the Group's service and advisory company while ensuring robust governance and legal risk management.
In this pivotal role, you will oversee all aspects of legal operations, including group legal affairs, privacy compliance, contract management, and data protection as the designated Data Protection Officer (DPO).
Key Responsibilities:
1. Legal Strategy and Compliance:
• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy, aligning with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Provide expert legal advice and support on a range of issues, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial law.
• Manage and mitigate legal risks across the group.
1. Privacy and Data Protection:
• Act as the company's Data Protection Officer (DPO), ensuring compliance with GDPR and other applicable privacy regulations.
• Oversee the implementation of privacy policies, training programs, and data protection frameworks.
• Conduct regular audits, privacy impact assessments, and risk evaluations to maintain compliance and build stakeholder trust.
1. Contract Management:
• Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and review of contracts, ensuring alignment with business interests and minimizing risk exposure.
• Establish and manage a centralized contract management system to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
• Provide guidance on key terms, contractual obligations, and risk implications to internal stakeholders.
1. Leadership and Collaboration:
• Lead and manage the in-house legal team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Finance, HR, IT, and Operations, to provide legal support and ensure seamless implementation of legal frameworks.
• Act as a key advisor to senior leadership, contributing to strategic decisions and risk assessment.
1. External Stakeholder Management:
• Liaise with external counsel, regulators, and other third-party stakeholders to address complex legal matters across different international jurisdictions.
• Manage relationships with external legal advisors to ensure effective and cost-efficient legal support.
Qualifications and Skills
• A qualified solicitor or barrister with a practicing certificate in Ireland.
• Additional certification or training in data protection (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPM) is highly desirable.
• Deep knowledge of GDPR and data protection regulations, as well as Irish and EU legal frameworks.
• Strong expertise in commercial contract law and negotiation.
• Proficiency in managing legal systems and tools for contract and compliance management.
Experience
• Minimum of 10+ years of post-qualification experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior legal role.
• Proven experience in privacy compliance, data protection, and contract management, ideally in a service or advisory company.
• Excellent leadership and team management capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal audiences.