Head of Legal Operations, Commercial and Governance

Head of Legal Operations, Commercial and Governance

Location: Staines
Salary: To be discussed
Job Type: Full Time | Permanent

Shape the future of legal operations, governance and innovation.

I am recruiting for an experienced Head of Legal Operations, Commercial and Governance to join my client's team and play a key role in supporting their legal, compliance and corporate governance functions.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who combines strong governance and legal operations experience with a passion for technology, process improvement and AI-driven innovation. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, external legal advisors and board members, helping to ensure the business operates efficiently, compliantly and with robust governance practices.

What You'll Be Doing

As Legal Operations & Governance Manager, you'll oversee a broad remit spanning contract management, corporate governance, compliance support and legal operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the full lifecycle of commercial contracts, from drafting and review through to execution, storage and renewals.
• Acting as the central point of contact for contract-related matters across the business.
• Managing relationships with external legal counsel and professional advisors, ensuring quality service and value for money.
• Coordinating Board and Committee meetings, preparing agendas, board packs, minutes and governance documentation.
• Maintaining statutory records and supporting company secretarial activities.
• Assisting with compliance programmes, regulatory reporting and risk management initiatives.
• Driving continuous improvement across legal and governance processes through technology, automation and AI.
• Implementing and optimising systems that improve efficiency, accuracy and operational performance.

About You

I am looking for a highly organised, commercially minded professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys improving the way things work.

You'll have:

• Experience within Legal Operations, Corporate Governance, Compliance, Company Secretarial or a similar function.
• Strong commercial contract management experience.
• Experience supporting Boards and Committees, including minute taking and board pack preparation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing relationships with external legal advisors.
• Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• A proactive approach with the confidence to work independently and influence senior stakeholders.

Technology & Innovation

You'll also bring a passion for modernising processes and leveraging technology to drive efficiency.

Ideally you'll have experience with:

• Legal technology platforms and contract management systems.
• Workflow automation and process improvement initiatives.
• AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT or similar technologies.
• Digital transformation projects within legal, governance or compliance environments.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in a regulated or corporate environment.
• Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system implementation experience.
• Company Secretarial or Governance qualifications.
• Knowledge of compliance frameworks and regulatory requirements.