We are currently recruiting a Head of Legal and Risk for a Permanent contract.
This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Edinburgh or Oxford hub.
We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy.
Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements.
The starting salary is £94,050
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of 2 April 2026.
Main purpose of the job
The Head of Legal and risk is a senior role responsible for the strategic development, implementation and day to day management of the IFoA’s legal, commercial and risk management functions. Leading and developing a robust, proportionate and value driven focus to these functions in support of delivering IFoA business plans.
Key accountabilities
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the leadership of the IFoA, supporting the Executive Leadership Team, Board and Council in delivering the organisational strategy.
- To lead and manage the Legal and Risk Team (comprising the corporate legal, commercial and risk management functions) creating a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and professional excellence.
- To lead and develop the in-house legal function to ensure that it provides pragmatic, business focused advice to the IFoA on all legal, quasi-legal and compliance matters in order to assist delivery against strategic objectives.
- Overseeing the facilitation of robust risk management and business continuity systems and appropriate risk reporting, leading a comprehensive assurance framework, and ensuring legal services are professional, credible, and responsive to organisational needs.
- Support Council in setting the organisational risk appetite.
- Ensure that key legal, risk and compliance processes, contractual frameworks and procurement procedures are effectively implemented across the organisation.
- Drive forward strong commercial relationships with third party suppliers and customers, ensuring strong value for money for IFoA members, leading to reduced supplier costs and increased commercial income.
- Provide expert legal, risk and compliance advice to the executive, relevant Boards and Committees, including IFoA Board, Audit & Risk Committee and Council.
- Overseeing the work of the IFoA’s data and information governance function.
- Manage a team of senior professionals, ensuring that the team work collaboratively with a “one IFoA” ethos.
- Oversee relationships with external law firms and ensure that any external legal resource is appropriate for the advice sought and cost effective.
- Hold budgetary responsibility for the corporate legal, commercial and risk management functions.
- Support the CEO in managing the IFoA’s legal and reputational risk, including the management of any litigation involving the IFoA.
Line reporting and main contacts
This role will report to the Chief Operating Officer, with a dotted reporting line to Audit & Risk Committee and IFoA Board Chairs for reporting and escalation purposes.
The other main contacts for this role are expected to be:
- Executive Leadership team
- Senior Leadership Team colleagues
- Audit and Risk Committee
- IFoA Board and Council
- External legal advisors
Decisions
- Has authority to make decisions related to the organisation’s legal, commercial and risk management frameworks and processes.
- Many decisions are likely to have a long-term implication for the organisation.
- Financial budgetary management and responsibility for the Legal and Risk Team.
Complexity
- The role has overall responsibility for ensuring effective delivery of professional, pragmatic and business focused legal and risk management services to the IFoA.
- Will be required to work with the Executive Leadership Team in developing the direction and approach required to deliver the organisation’s strategy and vision.
Impact
As a senior leader, the role has impact on significant issues that affect the IFoA performance in attaining its strategic objectives. Advice, guidance and support provided by this role will have a significant impact on the work of other teams and organisational (legal/compliance and risk) processes.
Knowledge and experience
- Qualified lawyer with significant relevant experience.
- Proven experience of leading a team.
- Excellent analytical skills and capacity to think strategically
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Strong commercial and strategic awareness.
Alternative format and adjustments
Please email the HR Team if you require:
- any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
- any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process
Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions.
You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
The IFoA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and experience and welcomes diversity with regard not only to protected characteristics but also diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against. Consequently, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all our policies, practices and procedures, and actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. All applications for our roles are considered on merit alone, and if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have something to offer, we want to hear from you. For more information on our commitments, please see our DEI strategy page.
