Hays
General Counsel & Company Secretary
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The company
This is a rare opportunity to join The King's Trust as its next General Counsel & Company Secretary, a pivotal Executive Leadership Team appointment at one of the UK's most recognised and respected charities.
For almost 50 years, The King's Trust has helped millions of young people develop the confidence, skills and opportunities needed to thrive. Today, the organisation continues to transform lives across the UK and internationally, delivering meaningful impact for young people facing adversity and barriers to success.
As General Counsel & Company Secretary, you will play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity, reputation and long-term sustainability of the organisation, while helping to shape the future direction of a charity whose work changes lives every day.
The role
Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership across legal, governance, risk and assurance. This is far more than a traditional General Counsel position; it is a broad executive leadership role with significant influence across the organisation. You will act as the Trust's principal legal adviser, supporting the CEO, Trustees and senior leadership team on complex matters. As Company Secretary, you will oversee the organisation's governance framework, ensure effective Board and Committee operations and promote governance excellence at the highest level.
In addition, you will provide strategic oversight of a broad assurance portfolio encompassing governance, safeguarding, legal, data protection, risk, insurance and internal audit. You will help the organisation navigate complex challenges, balance risk appropriately and maintain the highest standards of accountability, compliance and integrity. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, totalling 17 individuals, and ensure the development of individuals within the team. You will inspire high performance, foster a strong culture of collaboration and accountability, and build trusted relationships with trustees, regulators, external advisers and key stakeholders.
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What you'll need to succeed
We are seeking an exceptional legal and governance leader who combines outstanding technical expertise with the strategic presence and commercial judgement required to operate at executive level.
You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with substantial post-qualification experience and a proven track record operating in a senior General Counsel, Company Secretary or equivalent executive legal leadership role. Strong expertise across charity law, company law, corporate governance, risk management and regulatory compliance is essential.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Significant experience advising Boards, Trustees and senior executives on complex, high-profile and sensitive matters.
- Proven executive leadership experience within a large, complex organisation, ideally within the charity, public or purpose-led sectors.
- Experience leading legal, governance, risk, compliance, safeguarding or wider assurance functions.
- Exceptional judgement and the ability to balance legal, operational, reputational and organisational considerations.
- The credibility and gravitas to influence at Board and Executive level.
- Demonstrable experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style that inspires confidence and drives organisational excellence.
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Candidates with experience gained within youth-focused charities or organisations delivering social impact will be of particular interest.
What you'll get in return
This is an opportunity to take on one of the most influential legal and governance leadership positions in the UK charity sector. You will be joining an organisation with a powerful purpose, a nationally recognised brand and a genuine commitment to changing young lives. Working alongside a highly accomplished Executive Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, you will have the platform to shape strategy, influence key decisions and make a lasting impact on the future of the organisation.
Alongside a competitive executive remuneration package within the charity sector, you will gain:
- A seat at the Executive Leadership Team table.
- Board-level exposure and influence.
- Responsibility for organisation-wide governance, legal and assurance strategy.
- The opportunity to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams.
- The chance to use your expertise in service of a mission that delivers tangible social impact.
- A values-driven culture committed to integrity, inclusion, accountability and excellence.
Opportunities of this calibre are rare. If you are an accomplished General Counsel or governance leader seeking a role that combines executive influence, meaningful board-level contribution and genuine societal impact, this could be the next step in your career.
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