Head of Legal and Governance

Summary

Join Mary's Meals International as their Head of Legal & Governance! This part-time (22.5 hours/week) role offers the chance to provide vital legal and governance assurance to the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. You will lead the Legal & Governance team, overseeing corporate governance, policies, and regulatory compliance globally. As a skilled influencer and people leader, you'll ensure your team has the resources to succeed. The position involves advising on corporate governance, litigation strategy, legal liability, and data protection, as well as managing external legal providers and internal policies. Remote and flexible work options are available.

Requirements

• Extensive experience of working as an in-house lawyer at a senior level in an INGO or in another relevant international commercial context
• Expertise in company/commercial law, contract law and corporate governance law
• Proven leader and influencer, you will bring relevant experience of implementing policies, projects and change
• Cultural sensitivity, great communication skills and experience of developing productive relationships and teams in a global organisation
• Comfortable working at Board level when needed, including drafting reports in a style and format appropriate for presentation to sub-committees or the full Board

Responsibilities

• Lead the provision of advice on all aspects of corporate governance for MMI and Programme Affiliates, including the set-up and registration of new and existing Mary’s Meals entities
• Liaise with relevant MMI teams to assess and advise on appropriate litigation strategy
• Advise and manage legal liability within MMI, including identifying and instructing local counsel
• Provide legal services to international Programmes and National Affiliates, as required
• Oversee management of our global trademark portfolio, constitutional advice, and due diligence processes
• Ensure the Data Protection policy suite reflects current legal requirements, is appropriately reviewed, and staff are adequately trained on requirements
• Work closely with the Director of Governance & Risk to ensure that potential data breaches are thoroughly investigated, escalated and internally/externally reported as necessary
• Develop and maintain key strategic partnerships with external legal providers
• Liaise with relevant MMI and Programme Affiliate teams in relation to the creation and update of key policies and oversee the collation and tracking of all organisational policies, highlighting any gaps
• Oversee the negotiation, review and drafting of all food, supply and commercial contracts entered into by MMI and Programme Affiliates
• Lead, develop, coach and inspire high-performing teams, promoting a culture of engagement and empowerment including identifying and implementing opportunities for delegation and development

Benefits

• We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work life balance
• We also have an office near Glasgow city centre for those who live nearby and would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis