Head of Legal

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Head of Legal - closing date 23rd January 2026 Location: Resolution Plaza, Head Office (with regular travel to local housing offices) Reports To: Chief Executive Direct Reports: N/A Contract Type: Permanent/Full Time/hybrid Key Responsibilities Lead a high-performing in-house service team supporting East End Homes in managing housing disrepair and related claims. Provide expert legal advice across social housing matters—tenancy enforcement, rent arrears, ASB, and leasehold—ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and improving customer outcomes. The role will contribute to policy development by providing legal input, not by drafting or owning policy. Disrepair & Housing Conditions
Develop and implement disrepair strategy to reduce incidence, cost, and reputational risk. Oversee case management, ensuring quality pleadings, evidence, and settlement strategies. Ensure compliance with Pre-Action Protocols; design templates and workflows to track outcomes. Identify root causes and work with operational teams to prevent recurrence. Manage external legal providers, driving value through negotiated rates and KPIs.
Social Housing Legal Advisory
Advise on tenancy matters, enforcement, and statutory obligations. Lead legal action for statutory access, injunctions, and possession claims. Support income recovery strategies and ASB enforcement with proportionate remedies. Input into drafting policies to ensure legal compliance and clarity. Set litigation strategy, authorise settlements, and manage costs. Prepare for hearings, instruct counsel, and oversee witness preparation. Embed learning from cases into policy and process improvements.
Leadership
Build and develop an internal legal team; define career pathways. Influence stakeholders and provide clear advice to Executive and Board. Deliver training to frontline staff on legal processes and compliance.
Person Specification Qualifications
Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales) with current practising certificate.
Experience
Expertise in housing litigation and disrepair within social housing or local authority. Proven ability to manage complex cases, external providers, and budgets. Experience advising senior leadership and drafting policies.
Skills
Strong knowledge of UK housing law, litigation strategy, and regulatory requirements. Excellent advocacy, negotiation, and risk management skills. Data-driven approach to performance and decision-making.
Values & Behaviours
High integrity, sound judgment, resilience, and ability to work at pace.
Pension – up to 10% Employer Contribution Medical Cash Plan Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Legal
Industries
Housing and Community Development
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Location:
England, United Kingdom
Job Type:
FullTime

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