Deputy General Counsel - #1799156

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund

At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions.

We are looking for skilled and results oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.

Job Purpose

The Deputy General Counsel plays a senior leadership role leading and driving the high performance of a multi-disciplinary function including CoSec, Governance, and Legal.

The Deputy General Counsel provides strategic leadership across NWF’s Legal and Governance functions, with a focus on aligning governance effectiveness with organisational priorities and legal risk appetite. This includes acting as a senior sponsor for governance at Executive and Board levels, while supporting the operational delivery led by the Senior Counsel & Governance Lead.

The Deputy General Counsel works closely with senior colleagues across the General Counsel Office, including Senior Counsel. This includes implementing an effective legal risk management framework. Additionally, this role provides comprehensive strategic level support for CoSec responsibilities. The role also involves overseeing compliance with key governance codes and government guidelines, as well as ensuring the seamless functioning of NWF’s committees.

Moreover, the Deputy General Counsel will lead and deliver deep subject matter expertise in one or more key legal areas for NWF, such as public law, subsidies, debt/equity transactions, and providing general legal advice across all legal needs of the organisation.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide strategic legal leadership in designated areas of law, supporting the General Counsel in managing legal risk across the organisation.
• Strategic oversight of the governance function, ensuring it remains aligned with organisational goals and is responsive to the expectations of the Board, Executive Committee, and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the General Counsel Office to support the delivery of integrated and high-quality legal and governance services.
• Developing, implementing and maintaining a legal / governance risk management framework that identifies and sets out the mitigants and risk appetites for the Fund in key areas of legal risk.
• Working closely with government stakeholders such as UKGI and HMT with regards to governance and legal matters.
• Monitoring and reporting on the management of legal / governance risk to Executive Committee, Accounting Officer and stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing the General Counsel Office strategic plan, policies and controls.
• Preparing and presenting clear and concise legal risk reports, governance compliance reports, advice and recommendations to NWF’s executive committee.
• Providing strategic direction to NWF’s senior management team on governance matters and legal risk and legal risk mitigation to ensure management of current and future risk.
• Act as the subject matter expert on various governance / legal issues, contractual obligations and litigation facing NWF as well as transactional advice in debt/equity matters.
• Accountable for the development and implementation of a legal risk mitigation plan and accompanying monitoring plan that satisfies the needs of both NWF’s public/commercial law advisory requirements.
• Ensuring the provision and completion of suitable education and upskill programmes to promote a culture of good conduct and legal risk mitigation throughout NWF.
• Represent the General Counsel Office at senior governance and decision-making forums e.g. Risk Committee, Investment Committee and other key areas such as CoSec and act on behalf of the General Counsel where required.
• Providing legal advice and managing the provision of legal advice in any areas of legal practice relevant to the work of NWF, including: the NWF’s statutory powers, the NWF’s constitutional documentation and governance framework, public and private law, personal data, information law, procurement, litigation, regulatory compliance, claims and recoveries, finance transactions and restructuring, employment law.
  
  

Experience

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Requirements

• Extensive experience of leading and managing a legal and/or governance team within a financial services environment
• Experience leading a high performing team
• Exposure to working with Board level colleagues
• Experience of working with government and advising on public law issues is essential
  
  

Knowledge

• Either a degree in law or another relevant subject, obtaining at least a 2:1 grade
• Qualified to practice law in England & Wales as a solicitor or as a barrister
• Deep knowledge and expertise of LMA documentation, secured lending, project finance, guarantees, capital markets and/or equity
• Deep knowledge and expertise of public law and Company Law
  
  

Skills

• Effective verbal and written communications skills and with credibility to be a trusted partner for senior management and Board members.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to present to various audiences including committees, senior management and Board level colleagues.
• Ability to manage competing demands from team members and exercise good judgment in a decisive and convincing manner
• Excellent communication, listening, and writing skills.
• Pragmatic and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• Strong attention to detail and well organised; ability to prioritise, multi-task and work well under pressure.
• Ability to think strategically and have vision while also focusing on the details and execution.
• Self-motivated and works well independently; capable of taking initiative without prompting.
• Strong problem-solving techniques, including the ability to identify, research and resolve unfamiliar issues and ability to clearly communicate issues to key stakeholders.
  
  

Ability to collaborate across business lines and functions with a professional presence; proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong business relationships at all levels within the organisation.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.

We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience. Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.