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Legal and Compliance Director

Crowthorne Permanent View Job Description
The Legal and Compliance Director at Wellington College, Berkshire, provides expert legal advice and guidance to the Board of Governors, overseeing the entire Wellington Group, including Wellington College, its Prep schools, international partnerships, and the commercial arm. They advise on a broad spectrum of legal matters, ranging from corporate and commercial issues to student affairs and governance, ensuring regulatory compliance across all entities.
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  • Be part of 165 years of heritage
  • A role with exceptional breadth and flexibility

About Our Client

At the heart of Wellington College is the belief in shaping tomorrow's leaders to drive meaningful change. Founded in 1853 in honour of the Duke of Wellington, the College consistently delivers exceptional academic results across GCSEs, A Levels, and the IB Diploma. But Wellington is more than a centre of academic excellence. Based at Crowthorne in Berkshire and set in 400 acres of breathtaking parkland in, it blends historic heritage with cutting-edge facilities to provide a world-class education that equips students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.The vibrant arts programme rivals the West End, State of the art sports facilities and our pioneering pastoral care is rooted in the core values of Kindness, Respect, Courage, Integrity, and Responsibility. Beyond the College, we are committed to contributing to the broader educational landscape by sharing our expertise, learnings, and innovations, aiming to foster universal improvement in education by creating bridges with both local and international schools. At Wellington, education isn't only about learning - it's a way of life and a force for wider impact.

Job Description

The Legal and Compliance Director will provide legal advice across commercial corporate and other key areas including safeguarding, property law, data protection, and compliance, ensuring the college's legal obligations align with its vision and strategy. More specifically this may include:

  • Manage and review commercial contracts, aligning with international franchises.
  • Handle property matters, including acquisitions, leases, and disputes, and ensure compliance with property regulations.
  • Oversee intellectual property related to educational materials, research, and branding.
  • Manage litigation, represent the college in disputes, and develop strategies for effective dispute resolution.
  • Draft and oversee contracts and legal documents to meet the needs of international franchisees and partners.
  • Negotiate license agreements and act as a legal liaison between the college's international team and overseas partners, ensuring compliance with local and international regulations.
  • Offer guidance on grievance resolution, while advising on complex issues like SEND and pastoral care.
  • Draft and update international agreements, maintaining consistency and legal compliance with local laws.
  • Maintain and oversee the Corporate Risk Register, ensuring effective controls to mitigate institutional risks.
  • Provide guidance on UK visa applications for pupils and staff, ensuring compliance with immigration laws.
  • Develop and enforce an anti-bribery policy, upholding ethical standards.
  • Promote GDPR awareness, manage data breaches, and report to the ICO, ensuring privacy law compliance.
  • Advise on ISI processes, ensuring risk management and compliance with regulations like KCSIE.
  • Liaise with the Clerk to the Governors, ensuring compliance with Companies House and Charity Commission regulations.
  • Serve on the Health and Safety Committee, advising on legal matters and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws.
  • Provide guidance on safeguarding laws, ensuring staff and pupil protocols comply with the Children Act and KCSIE.

The Successful Applicant

The Legal and Compliance Director will be a Solicitor or Barrister with:

  • Extensive in-house experience.
  • Expertise in commercial and corporate law.
  • Proven ability to manage legal crises.
  • Strong knowledge of data protection law and GDPR.
  • Experience in cross-border agreements and international expansion (preferred).
  • Some proficiency in property law.
  • Skilled in risk management, contract negotiations, litigation, and external counsel management.
  • Familiarity with school governance, charity law, safeguarding, and SEND matters helpful but by no means necessary.
  • Excellent advisory and communication skills, with experience working with senior leadership and international stakeholders.

Most critically the individual should embody the group's core values of kindness, courage, respect, integrity, and responsibility. They should be able to prioritise tasks effectively and adapt to changing challenges while seeking opportunities for learning and growth. Confident in decision-making, they offer advice aligned with strategic goals and engage well with various stakeholders, including business leaders and dignitaries. They maintain professionalism under pressure and are driven by a commitment to excellence and personal growth and the long term wellington vision.

What's on Offer

In addition to a competitive salary this unique opportunity comes with equally unique benefits including a range flexible working options, a significant remission in school fees and access to state of the art facilities set in the most spectacular of surroundings.

Contact
Katherine Jackson
Quote job ref
JN-092024-6543899
Phone number
+44 20 7269 2413

Job summary

Job function
Legal
Subsector
Commercial
Sector
Not For Profit
Location
Crowthorne
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Katherine Jackson
Consultant phone
+44 20 7269 2413
Job reference
JN-092024-6543899