Head of Legal, TrustLaw

Job posted by: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Mon, 27 Apr 2015

Job Details:

Organisation: Thomson Reuters Foundation

Deadline Mon, 1 Jun 2015

Job type: Permanent

Location: United Kingdom

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The Thomson Reuters Foundation stands for free, independent journalism, human rights, women’s empowerment, and the rule of law. We expose corruption worldwide and play a leading role in the global fight against human trafficking. We use the skills, values, and expertise of Thomson Reuters to run programmes that trigger real change and empower people around the world, including free legal assistance, journalism and media training, coverage of the world’s under-reported stories, and the Trust Women Conference.

The Foundation is recruiting a Head of Legal for TrustLaw. The position would be based in London in Thomson Reuters’ office.

TrustLaw is the Thomson Reuters Foundation's global pro bono service that connects NGOs and social enterprises with the best law firms around the world. Launched in 2010, TrustLaw has grown to include 2,400 members in 170 countries, including over 500 law firms and in-house legal teams and over 1,900 NGO and social enterprise members. Our mission is to spread the practice of pro bono worldwide to drive social change.

Our legal requests range from everyday commercial matters such as corporate structuring, IP, non-profit governance or employment advice through to large scale cross-border research programmes on social or policy issues. See our publications here on issues ranging from human trafficking and slavery, domestic violence laws, health and social innovation.

Reporting to the Director of TrustLaw, this leadership role will give you the opportunity to work with a dynamic, ambitious, global team. The role will encompass the following:

  • Managing a team of legal managers and officers, based around the world;
  • Working closely with your colleagues in the senior leadership of TrustLaw to advise on programme strategy and implementation;
  • Scoping and managing cross-border research programmes that address the most critical social, policy and advocacy needs facing our NGO and social enterprise members;
  • Overseeing the team’s handling of pro bono requests from our global community of NGOs and social entrepreneurs, from the scoping of the pro bono legal requests, placing projects with lawyers and follow up with the parties involved;
  • Devising and implementing strategies for TrustLaw globally to ensure quality and growth metrics are met;
  • Working closely with the Foundation’s CEO on key strategic initiatives, including Trust Women an influential gathering that brings together global corporations, lawyers and pioneers in the field of women's rights;
  • Assisting with the design and hosting of events targeting key themes and topic areas to engage a range of clients and stakeholders;
  • Representing the Foundation at major events and presenting TrustLaw to key partners;
  • Advising the Foundation on internal legal matters (and briefing external counsel where necessary) including structuring, reviewing funding agreements, supplier agreements and other legal issues as they arise;
  • Building and maintaining relationships with our law firm and in-house legal team members globally and supporting each of the legal officers to do this in their respective regions;
  • Monitoring key metrics and allocating resources as needed to manage project flow;
  • Working closely with the team to manage regular communications with our global network of members, oversee relationship management, facilitate their engagement with the service and plan and host events to promote our work and raise our profile.
  • Support the team on thought leadership projects including the TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono and TrustLaw training courses.

We are looking for:

  • A highly qualified lawyer with significant experience in a commercial legal environment;
  • Someone with excellent project management skills and experience managing complex cross-border matters around the world;
  • Experience working with diverse teams and proven people management skills;
  • Experience in pro bono and an interest and/or experience in the development world;
  • Experience working on social or policy issues would be an advantage but is not required;
  • Someone with a good understanding of the legal industry internationally;
  • An excellent communicator with first-class written and verbal communication skills. Being a global service that works with the best law firms, NGOs and social entrepreneurs in the world, we are looking for someone confident who can present the TrustLaw services to professionals from diverse backgrounds and cultures;
  • A creative quick thinker who is also a highly motivated self-starter, with an ability to work independently and contribute ideas to the team; and
  • Fluent in English. Additional languages are highly desirable.

This position would be based in London and the salary is commensurate with experience.

Deadline for applications: 1 June 2015. To apply for this position, send your CV and covering letter describing how you meet the specifications to trustlaw@thomsonreuters.com, with subject line “Head of Legal position”. Please include contact details for two referees with your application (these will not be contacted without your permission).



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