Head of Legal

As the Head of Legal at Zeal Group, your principal responsibilities include overseeing the legal function which encompasses contract negotiation, compliance management, and risk mitigation. You will provide expert legal guidance to executive leadership, tackle regulatory issues, and cultivate strong relationships with external legal counsel while ensuring that the organization's operations are consistently in alignment with both local and international legal standards.

To be eligible for the Head of Legal position at Zeal Group, candidates should possess at least 8 years of post-qualification experience as a lawyer, preferably within the fintech or related sectors. Strong knowledge of commercial law, regulatory compliance, and a proven track record in leadership are also critical qualifications essential for this role.

The Head of Legal at Zeal Group plays a crucial role in promoting compliance across the organization by implementing robust legal policies and processes. You will be responsible for delivering training and updates on legal matters to staff, creating a culture that prioritizes and values compliance and ethical practices throughout the company.

At Zeal Group, the Head of Legal can expect a collaborative and innovative work environment, where teamwork and communication are key values. The company promotes work-life balance through flexible work arrangements, including work from home options and a unique 30-day work from anywhere policy, allowing for a healthy blend of personal and professional life.

Zeal Group offers an attractive benefits package for the Head of Legal, which includes health and dental insurance, maternity and paternity leave, and 25 annual leave days plus bank holidays. The company also supports an active lifestyle with a gym reimbursement scheme and provides a pension scheme via Aviva, ensuring a rewarding employment experience.

In answering this question, share specific examples of contracts you have negotiated in previous roles. Highlight your approach to negotiations, the strategies you employed, and the outcomes achieved. Emphasize your role in protecting the organization's interests while finding mutually beneficial solutions.

You can explain your methods for staying current, such as subscribing to legal journals, attending industry conferences, or participating in networking groups. Mention any specific resources you find valuable and how this knowledge has previously informed your legal strategies.

Discuss the risk management frameworks or tools you use to identify potential legal risks. Provide details on how you communicate these risks to relevant stakeholders and your approach to mitigating them proactively, ensuring business operations are not hindered.

Relate a specific incident where you faced a challenging legal issue. Describe the context, your analysis, decisions made, and the outcome. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how it contributed to your professional growth.

You can discuss various communication tools and strategies you utilize to ensure transparency and collaboration within your team. Highlight your leadership style and how you encourage team members to voice their concerns, share insights, and contribute to legal strategies.

Detail your philosophy on compliance training, including best practices and methodologies you believe are effective. Mention any past programs you have implemented and the positive impact it incurred on the organization’s culture regarding compliance.

Share your techniques for prioritizing high-stakes tasks, such as using project management tools or frameworks. Give an example of a time when prioritization was essential for successful completion of projects within deadlines.

You should mention your strategies for nurturing fruitful partnerships with external counsel, focusing on clear communication, mutual respect, and shared objectives. Including examples of successful collaborations will exhibit your relationship management skills.

Discuss the technological tools and software you have used to streamline legal processes and enhance compliance. This can include contract management systems or legal research databases, emphasizing how these tools improved efficiency in your previous roles.

Explain your conflict resolution techniques, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, negotiation, and understanding differing perspectives. Share an example where your approach led to a positive resolution and enhanced teamwork.