A place to make things happen 

Location: Bradford or Peterborough, Hybrid,1-2 days in the office with travel to other offices for meetings as required.

Salary: £82,370 per annum

Permanent, 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm  

With over 21,000 homes across the country, we’re responsible for supporting thousands of customers and their families.  

We’re proud to build positive, long-lasting relationships that go beyond housing. The work we do supports our customers and creates vibrant communities where people of all backgrounds can thrive.  

We’re also proud to be at the forefront of change. We’re on a journey of transformation, finding new ways to support our customers - and our people.  

If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of change, share your ideas and help us transform, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us and shape our future.  

About the role 

This is a strategic role where you'll shape Accent’s legal function to meet the needs of a modern, purpose-driven organisation. You’ll lead a small team, manage external legal partnerships, and work in partnership with the business to deliver expert advice that enables confident decision-making and mitigates risk.

With a focus on commercial law and the legal frameworks of the social housing sector, you’ll review our legal services model, drive service improvements, and ensure value for money. You’ll work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to embed a proactive, collaborative legal culture across the business.

Join us and take the lead in shaping a robust legal function that underpins our mission and values.

To view/download the Head of Legal Services job description please click here.

Salary

The spot salary for the Head of Legal Services post is £82,370 per annum for applicants who fully meet the requirements of the post. Applicants, who do not meet all the requirements of the post, will start 5% or 10% below the spot salary.  

About you  

• Solicitor, barrister or equivalent qualified lawyer with substantial post-qualification experience
• Extensive experience as a senior in-house lawyer within a regulated sector with specialist knowledge in commercial and/or sector-specific law, and the right to practice law in this jurisdiction.
• In-depth legal expertise with an understanding of legal principles and practices, with evidence of continued professional development (CPD) commensurate with the requirements of the role.
• A strategic mindset with experience in business planning, performance management and value.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrating your ability to assess and understand complex legal issues, and provide strategic advice.
• Natural leadership, management and influencing skills, with the ability to assess and understand complex legal issues, build trusted relationships with stakeholders and maintain probity and professional standards at all times
• Have exceptional writing and communication skills, with the ability to deliver succinct presentations or advice to senior leaders and wider organisation.

Interviews

We want your candidate experience to reflect who we are - a place to grow, a place to thrive, a place to be you.

Stage 1: A Place to Connect
A 45 minute interview with the hiring manager. You’ll learn more about the role and team, and we’ll get to know you – your experience, goals, and what you bring.
Planned date: 25^th September via Teams.

Stage 2: A Place to Show Your Strengths
You’ll deliver a presentation to the panel and have your final interview which will focus on how you apply your knowledge to real-life situations. You'll be asked to complete a Congruity Questionnaire in advance.
Planned date: 3^rd October at our Peterborough office or 6^th October at our Bradford office.

We aim to make the process clear, supportive, and genuinely valuable – a place where you feel informed and confident at every step.

A place to build a future

We have big ambitions. That means we need people who are driven to succeed and eager to grow. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills, thrive in our collaborative environment, and take your career in different directions. We also support your health and wellbeing with 28 days of holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time) – an extra day to celebrate your birthday and the option to purchase more – access to an online GP, gym discounts, and a dedicated day to volunteer for a cause that matters to you.

And because we believe in supporting you now and in the future, this is a place to plan for your future – with access to both Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit pension schemes through salary sacrifice, helping you save more efficiently. We also provide life assurance at three times your salary for all colleagues, giving you added peace of mind.

If you require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, please let us know we will ensure requirements are met. 

Please don’t delay in submitting your application. Where roles are urgent or we receive a high volume of applications, we may interview and conclude the process prior to any closing date indicated.

If you have any queries about the role, please email: 

"PeopleServices@accentgroup.org". 

Please note candidates must have current eligibility to live and work in the UK, Accent do not currently hold a sponsorship license.

If you’re looking for a place you can make a positive difference to society, to our organisation and to your future, apply now.  

Recruitment Agencies: We work exclusively with partners on our preferred supplier list (PSL) and do not accept unsolicited CVs or speculative approaches from agencies for this role.