Legal Counsel

Reports to: Chief of Legal, Compliance & Commercial Operations

Duration: 12-month fixed term contract. Start date will be September 2026. 

Based: London

Job Purpose:  This 12-month fixed-term role will provide additional legal capacity during a period of increased demand across commercial contracting, intellectual property protection and corporate legal matters. The role will support current priorities, including drafting commercial and IP contracts, protecting and maintaining intellectual property rights, applying strong commercial awareness, managing corporate legal requirements and conducting thorough legal research. It will also help ensure timely and effective legal advice while longer-term legal resource needs are reviewed.

The team: This role sits within the Legal team, which includes a paralegal, trainee solicitor, Assistant Legal Counsel and Legal Counsel, and is led by the Chief Legal, Compliance and Commercial Operations Officer.

Principal accountabilities: 

General

• Support the Foundation’s strategic goal to increase funding by partnering with the Earned Revenue, Jurisdictional Revenue and Institutional Teams and other internal stakeholders.
• Support the team to grow its identity and build strategic partnerships across the organisation through developing clear and efficient processes and SLA’s, supported by legal technology.
• Support work towards Legal Team’s annual strategic objectives.
• Provide sound legal advice based on thorough research.

Intellectual Property

• Collaborate with Legal Team colleagues and other internal stakeholders to maintain, manage and protect the Foundation’s global intellectual property (IP) rights, including monitoring for and addressing infringing activities, and maintenance of the Foundation’s IP portfolio.
• Work to ensure that licences for commercial and non-commercial use of Foundation copyright material and trademarks are comprehensive and consistent for comparable licensee cohorts across the global market.
• Instruct and consult with external counsel, including budgeting and cost management.
• Advise on contracts and provide legal advice regarding contract, corporate and IP law.
• Commercial Contracts and Mission Related Contracts
• Negotiate and draft a wide variety of agreements as required by the organisation, including but not limited to commercial and supplier agreements (including SAAS).
• Philanthropic funding agreements and MOUs in support of the Foundation’s mission.
• Oversight and management of contracts lifecycle process.
• Dispute resolution as required with third parties including suppliers/ licensees.

Compliance and Governance

• Assist Chief of Legal with activities relating to data protection, data management, regulatory compliance including sanctions, anti-trust matters, and information governance.
• Provide legal support regarding corporate legal requirements.

Skills and Attributes:

• High level of attention to detail and strong English writing skills.
• Ability to draft clearly and succinctly.
• Excellent standard of oral English with ability to effectively participate in meetings and negotiations. Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Ability to understand complex legal issues and provide practical advice in the context of business operations.
• Strong team ethic; able to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals at all levels within the organisation.
• Positive attitude; high degree of integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise work and time effectively to adapt to changing priorities.
• Problem solving skills, ability to find creative solutions and to ensure that any issues are dealt with in the best interests of the organisation.
• Affinity with the not-for profit sector and aims of the Foundation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Qualified legal professional and/or UK qualified solicitor.
• Good working knowledge of contract, corporate, commercial and IP law. Knowledge of the same within EU, Asia Oceania region and/or US an advantage.
• Experience of drafting contracts and general contract correspondence.
• High level of commercial awareness and ability to understand how each contract fits with the overall objectives and policies of the Foundation.
• Knowledge of regulatory issues an advantage, inc. sanctions, competition law, data protection.
• Knowledge of employment law would be desirable.
• Demonstrable evidence-based research skills; familiarity with Nexis Lexis, Lexis PLC and Westlaw desirable.
• Work experience in a global multi-location set up would be desirable.
• Familiarity with a multi-location set up would be advantageous
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

 

Application closing date: 31st July 2026

Please note that while we have a closing date for this application, we reserve the right to interview candidates and potentially close the role early should we find a suitable candidate.

About us

At the IFRS Foundation, we believe better information leads to better decisions. We set financial reporting standards that enable companies to meet the evolving information needs of the global capital markets. United by our purpose to foster trust, growth and long-term financial stability in the global economy, we engage in challenging, meaningful work every day—across all our areas of expertise.

If you share our passion for this mission, we want to hear from you.

Diverse perspectives. International expertise.

Working for our global organisation offers many benefits, including:

• rewarding work that serves the public interest;
• engagement with diverse international experts;
• inclusive and collaborative teams;
• intellectually challenging projects;
• flexible working arrangements;
• numerous areas of specialisation; and
• opportunities for professional growth and development.

Diversity and inclusion are seen as key strengths of our organisation. These qualities are essential for us to engage with and meet the needs of our varied global stakeholders, and they are part of what makes the IFRS Foundation a great place to work.

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