Corporate Lawyer

Purpose

Support sound governance and commercial arrangements that protect service continuity and children's welfare.

Reporting line

Directors with professional independence

Working arrangements

Agreed professional schedule with planned board and contract work.

England; specific location and weekly hours confirmed before appointment. Maximum eight-hour shifts include one hour of paid uninterrupted break with competent cover.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on corporate structure, board duties and delegated authority.
• Review commissioning, supplier, property and partnership contracts.
• Coordinate regulatory and contractual due diligence with specialist advisers.
• Advise on data-sharing agreements and information governance.
• Maintain contract registers, renewal dates and material risk reporting.
• Manage conflicts, privilege and external legal instructions.
• Support insurance and business-continuity arrangements without promising cover.
• Escalate legal risks and document the board response.

Experience

At least 15 years of relevant corporate and commercial legal experience.

Qualifications and registration

Qualified solicitor of England and Wales with current SRA practising certificate for this solicitor post; verified standing and appropriate corporate-law competence.

Essential capabilities

• Strong corporate drafting and commercial judgement.
• Ability to explain legal exposure in clear operational terms.
• Professional independence and sound confidentiality practice.
• Experience managing external advisers and competing deadlines.

Desirable experience

Knowledge of care commissioning, regulated services and data protection.

What good performance looks like

Material contracts and governance decisions have clear ownership, approvals and recorded risks.

Benefits and safer recruitment

All employee benefits and recruitment standards apply, including 32 days holiday plus bank holidays, 8% employer pension, family medical and dental cover subject to insurer terms, and the clean driving licence criterion with reasonable adjustments where required. Required vetting is completed before a final contract.

Apply for AL18

Email hr@astha.org quoting this reference. HR will discuss the location, hours, secure application route and adjustments.