Head of Legal Affairs

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Head of Legal Affairs (from £100,000)

At Immediate, we're home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and Gardeners World. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.

We're the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We help inspire them; deepening their knowledge, skills and fuelling their passions, to enjoy more of what life has to offer.

Whether it's the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor, or indoor, spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation with loved ones - we help bring our audiences joy!

About the role

We're looking for a Head of Legal Affairs to lead our legal work on technology, digital media and general commercial matters. You'll be joining us at an exciting time and will immediately contribute to several of Immediate's key strategic projects.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you'll be part of a dynamic, friendly legal team supporting this fast-paced and agile business on a range of commercial, technology, digital and corporate matters.

This role will involve work across all of Immediate's divisions where you will ensure that the legal function is a key business partner, delivering pragmatic, solution-led and commercially-focused legal advice. You will work closely with internal senior executives and business stakeholders, including Product and Technology, Commercial Operations and Finance, and external stakeholders and key partners, to realise the company's strategic goals whilst fostering Immediate's culture and values. You will be well supported by other senior members of the Legal team and will have management responsibility for some members of the Legal team.

This role would suit a technology-focused lawyer who enjoys a fast-paced environment and the opportunity to develop new skills.

As Head of Legal Affairs you will;

• Technology: advising on the procurement of all technology systems required to support the business (both on-premise and cloud). Preparation of tenders and requests for proposals, drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts and working closely with project teams for the procurement and delivery of solutions for, amongst other things, software, SaaS, cloud-based systems, databases, email service providers, ad serving technology, networks, telecoms, disaster recovery systems, HR and finance systems required to support the day-to-day operation of the business and other outsourcing partners;

• Digital Media and eCommerce: being the primary legal contact for all digital matters including ecommerce, ad tech (DSPs, DMPs and associated partners) payment portals, app development and support agreements, digital distribution, podcast distribution, regulatory compliance and developing and maintaining contractual relationships with key partners and service providers. A passion for keeping up to date with new technologies and corresponding legal implications such as cookie depreciation, AI, dark patterns, UX, programmatic advertising, ad blocking, general digital advertising formats, paywall and data walls. Provision of commercial and strategic advice on industry and technological developments in digital, web and social media, assessing risks and opportunities and advising the business on new digital product or service launches with an emphasis on consumer law, data protection, advertising and other compliance issues;
• Commercial Contracts: reviewing, drafting, negotiation and delivery of complex and strategic commercial contracts and partnerships, including contracts for services, brand and other intellectual property licences, affiliates, influencers/brand ambassadors, agency arrangements and partnerships, drafting and negotiation of a range of consultancy and professional services agreements;
• Data Protection and Information Security: being the primary legal contact for all strategic data protection matters and providing supervision and line management for our Data Governance Officer who manages ICO registration, compliance, and infosec due diligence;
• Team: management and supervision responsibilities, maintenance of precedents and owning the training programme (both in the legal team and for the wider business), assisting in the improvement and management of agreement templates, policies and processes to address recurring and anticipated business needs, making policy recommendations on contracting matters;
• Compliance: ensuring compliance with company processes and policies; monitor and advise on changes in laws, rules and regulations affecting the company;
• Marketing and Advertising: advising the business on all aspects of marketing and advertising law including ad approval, competitions, reader offers and other promotions and branded solutions; and
• M&A: providing support to all digital-focused M&A activity, playing a key role during legal due diligence (working in conjunction with the GC) and advising on tech due diligence, drafting and negotiating supplementary commercial documents such as TSAs and ongoing licences.

Requirements

• Commercial mindset and a pragmatic, solution-led approach;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Prior line-management experience;
• Qualified to practise law in England and Wales or another common-law jurisdiction;
• Minimum of 7 years of post-qualification experience;
• Expertise in technology and digital media law;
• Experience with e-commerce, privacy and data protection matters;
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical and persuasive skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees, management and leadership;
• Effective time-management and prioritisation skills to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities with attention to detail; and
• Resourceful, inquisitive, and self-motivated approach, with an eagerness to learn new skills and gain a deep understanding of Immediate's business.

Benefits

• A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
• Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First aiders & Champions
• 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year's which are in addition to your annual entitlement
• Tailored training and development through both our inhouse learning platform and LinkedIn Learning
• A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development
• Flexible / hybrid working plus early finish Fridays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
• Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance
• A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces

We pride ourselves on our open, collaborative, and dynamic culture. This encourages our people to thrive, and give their best whilst being supported, developed, and nurtured. As we care about our people, our environment, and the impact we make, we have an active Diversity and inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programmes, and clear sustainability strategies.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of all our values and leadership behaviours to ensure Immediate remains a place where everyone feels included and empowered;

We care

We succeed together

We enjoy the ride

We are bold

We never settle

We get on with it

People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is extremely important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We'll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We're also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.