Head of Legal

As Head of Legal, you will lead our in-house Legal Department, ensuring the NFU receives trusted, timely and high-quality legal advice. You will also be responsible for leading the team that supports our highly valued Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides financial support to NFU members facing legal challenges affecting their businesses. In this leadership role, you will:

• Provide authoritative legal advice to Officeholders, Boards, employees and our nationwide membership.
• Represent the NFU's legal position to senior external stakeholders.
• Lead both the Legal Affairs Team and the Legal Assistance Scheme Team, ensuring services are effective and aligned with NFU objectives.
• Strengthen the NFU's governance, compliance and risk management frameworks.
• Lead in advising the NFU on litigation risk and case management.
• Support wider policy development, helping shape the laws and regulations that impact British farming.
This is a unique opportunity to influence national conversations while protecting the interests of our members.

You'll be a qualified solicitor with substantial in-house or private practice, post-qualification experience and a strong track record of providing high-quality legal advice at a senior level. Your leadership skills will enable you to manage and develop a busy legal department, while your clear communication style helps you explain complex issues to diverse audiences. Your proven expertise will enable you to quickly identify key legal issues within complex and often novel policy scenarios, providing advice on issues of significant importance to the farming industry. You'll bring sound judgement, the ability to prioritise competing demands, and confidence in negotiation and influencing. With strong organisational skills, professionalism, and an ability to build effective relationships, you'll ensure excellent service to NFU members and colleagues alike. Experience in farming is not essential, but passion, adaptability and experience of exploring new legal areas certainly are. This role requires leadership in litigation and experience of administrative law is desirable.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is the largest farming organisation in the UK. We're proud to make a difference for all our members, by shaping attitudes towards British farming and leading the charge on a range of major issues, from environmental regulation and food standards to rural crime and trade policy., The NFU represents farmers and growers across England and Wales, ensuring their voices are heard in Westminster, the media and local communities. With headquarters in Stoneleigh and a network of regional offices, we work closely with members, government and stakeholders to secure a thriving future for British agriculture. Our Legal teams are collaborative, high-performing and immersed in meaningful work that directly supports real people and real businesses. Join Us We are committed to building a diverse, talented workforce and supporting colleagues through extensive learning, development and agile working opportunities.

Permanent 35 hours per week Starting salary c. £90,000 - £105,000 (Dependant on Skills and Experience) Headquarters, We are committed to helping you achieve your potential, with an environment that supports both professional ambition and personal wellbeing. You'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Company car or car allowance
• 30 days' annual leave + bank holidays + 1 additional company day
• Private health insurance
• Buy/sell up to 5 days' annual leave
• Company-funded health cash plan
• Enhanced family leave (maternity, paternity, shared parental leave)
• Performance-related pay
• Competitive pension and life assurance
• Interest-free loans (car, bike, season ticket, driving lessons)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on vehicles, holiday rentals, wellbeing products and more
• Modern office environment with on-site restaurant and free parking