Legal Officer

As part of our Legal, Governance and Risk Management team, this role will provide high-quality legal advice and support across ZSL. You will work collaboratively with colleagues to help manage legal, compliance, and risk matters, ensuring the organisation is well-protected and supported in achieving its charitable aims.

The work is varied and engaging, ranging from reviewing and drafting agreements and advising on day-to-day legal queries, through to supporting insurance matters, compliance activities such as data protection, and contributing to internal audit processes.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their legal career within the charity sector. Where applicable, we are happy to confirm Qualifying Work Experience to the SRA for those working towards solicitor qualification (including via the SQE route).

We offer hybrid working for this role, allowing you to balance your 22.5 hours per week flexibly to suit your needs, with a minimum expectation of two days per week in the office to collaborate with your team.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide timely and pragmatic legal advice across a range of issues, including contracts, funding agreements, compliance, data protection, and international operations.
• Review, draft, and negotiate agreements and legal documents to protect ZSL's interests and ensure compliance across its activities.
• Support organisational compliance and risk management by monitoring legal and regulatory developments, managing legal claims and insurance matters, and contributing to internal audit and governance processes.

• Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to support effective communication, policy management, and delivery of legal and compliance projects.

• You have a good understanding of English law and the legal system, and you're keen to apply and grow that knowledge in a practical setting.

• You're organised, detail-focused, and able to manage multiple priorities - whether from previous legal experience or through transferable skills.
• You're a clear communicator who enjoys building positive relationships and working collaboratively with colleagues.
• You're proactive, curious, and eager to learn, with an interest in developing your legal skills in a supportive team environment.
• You share our values, bringing a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and an enthusiasm for ZSL's mission to protect wildlife and create a healthier planet.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

We're ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we're working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What do we offer?
At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you'll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working - talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays - 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing - access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance - eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL's life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets - annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies - we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

It's important to personalise your application to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.