
Financial Times · London
ABOUT US The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to...
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and
accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.
At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that
matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.
In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations
and wellbeing.
Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new
skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.
Build a newsworthy career at the FT.
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A
supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to
removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
The role
The Legal, Compliance and Company Secretariat team is looking for a highly organised and proactive Legal Team and Operations
Assistant. This is a broad team support role, combining high-quality administrative support, legal document coordination and
practical support for the department’s systems, processes and operations.
This is a role suited to someone with strong experience working in, or supporting, a legal function and wants to build on their
exposure to legal operations and technology as part of the next step in their career.
You will work directly with the General Counsel and Legal Operations Manager, as well as closely with colleagues across Legal,
Compliance and Company Secretarial. You will also liaise with the wider FT business, acting as a reliable point of coordination
for queries, actions, systems and shared ways of working.
Main responsibilities
Executive & Legal Administrative Support
other legal documents, ensuring accuracy, consistency and attention to detail.
and information from Companies House, assisting with audit reviews and the submission of annual accounts and coordinating with
filing agents globally.
GDPR, and helping to maintain related guidance, templates and records.
of Attorney and NDAs.
visitor coordination, signature coordination, travel planning and expense reporting.
forums, handling scheduling, agendas, minutes and action tracking.
for improvement and automation.
Legal Operations Support
FAQs and core reference information, ensuring clear ownership, review cycles and version control.
behavioral change and innovation regarding the use of legal technology and AI.
access and license-related checklists with relevant internal teams.
communicating systems changes and updates to team members.
contract renewals, maintaining supplier records, and acting as the departmental point of contact for any P2P related queries or
reporting.
Required skills and experience
context.
and shared resources.
appropriately.
learning and mastering new skills, particularly AI systems and new technologies.
Desirable
automation with a clear, genuine interest in developing further in this space.
DocuSign, Slack, GEMS.
Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous
annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the
community. Full details of our benefits are available here.
We currently operate a hybrid model which requires staff to work onsite 50% of the time, subject to role requirements & regular
review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for all roles. We believe this balanced
approach supports flexibility and protects our culture, making collaboration and communication easier, building stronger
relationships and team cohesion, and supporting peer learning. We reserve discretion on reasonable notice to change this approach
either generally or for specific individuals or teams.
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you
to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of
our team will be happy to help.
Further information
At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their
job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all
information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent
hiring process for all.
Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will
direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information,
payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting
or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.
Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and
insights into working at the FT.
Reports to: Chief of Legal, Compliance & Commercial Operations Duration: 12-month fixed term contract. 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. 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. #LI-MM1
Databricks — the global leader in data and AI — is looking for a motivated Legal Counsel to play a key role in our growing EMEA business. This is an opportunity to bring your SaaS commercial experience to a company defining the next generation of data, analytics and AI — partnering with sales teams to enable some of the world's most innovative organisations to build on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform. You will report to the Director & Assistant General Counsel, EMEA Commercial Legal, and will be a valued part of the team responsible for reviewing and negotiating customer agreements, providing legal support for revenue-generating activities of Databricks, and helping the business to improve processes and scale at pace. THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE: * Working in partnership with the sales teams to enable some of the best known companies in the world to adopt the world's leading data and AI platform. * You will diligently help resolve legal issues to enable smooth and timely transactions, escalating to senior team members where appropriate. * You will work collaboratively within an experienced and supportive legal team that will invest in your development and learn to confidently guide our sales teams on internal processes. * You will have a genuine appetite to test, adopt and champion AI tools that make our legal function faster and smarter. * Reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, such as MCSAs, SOWs and Order Forms, ensuring that Databricks' risk position is protected and internal compliance requirements are met; * Supporting the end-to-end contract management lifecycle, providing practical, commercially-minded advice to sales and professional services teams on contractual risks and commercial matters; * Actively testing and adopting AI tools to improve the efficiency of contract review and the wider legal function, and contributing to process improvements and good practices that help us scale; * Providing support and enablement to sales teams on key contractual requirements, best practices and contract management; * Developing a strong understanding of Databricks' internal structures, product offerings, technology, security/data protection positions and policies to give you a foundation for providing support across Databricks' lines of business; * Building your understanding of Databricks' commercial offerings to support sales teams (and customers where needed) during negotiations; * Applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to propose business solutions which can meet the business' and customers' needs; * Cultivating strong cross-functional relationships with key stakeholders to support the Company's go-to-market efforts across EMEA; & * Contributing as a team player to help further the status of the legal department as a respected and valued partner within the company. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE: * Bachelor's degree (or equivalent); * Qualified lawyer (or equivalent), with approximately 3 years' PQE; * Experience gained in-house at a leading SaaS company (or in private practice supporting one) with a regular/quarterly sales cycle; * Solid experience negotiating MSAs, NDAs, Order Forms and legal amendments with enterprise customers; * Familiarity with, or willingness to quickly learn, large CRM systems (like Salesforce) and contract management systems (like Ironclad); * A genuine willingness to test and adopt AI tools to improve the efficiency and quality of legal work — this is a must, not a nice-to-have; * Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritise time and business needs in the face of competing demands; * Experience working with sales teams; * A real appetite for the challenge of supporting a world-leading data and AI company operating at hyper-growth scale. About Databricks Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide — including Comcast, Condé Nast, Grammarly, and over 50% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to unify and democratize data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark™, Delta Lake and MLflow. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Benefits At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here. Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. Compliance If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.
The Company We’re Octopus Legacy: one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country, part of the UK’s most exciting and best-trusted group (you may have heard of some of our sister companies…) and we have a mission. We’re on a path to scale, aiming to become a household name while transforming an outdated industry and helping our customers prepare for, and find support after, death. But we can’t do it alone, and that’s why we’re assembling a team of top performers to build with us. Ready to be part of something big? THE ROLE We’re looking for a commercial lawyer to support the company on commercial and contract matters, assist the legal team with compliance, and handle a variety of ad hoc day-to-day legal issues. This is a new role reporting to our Head of Legal. While the focus will be on drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts and agreements, the fast-paced, dynamic nature of our business means you’ll gain exposure to a broad spectrum of challenging legal topics. This role is also ideal for an experienced paralegal looking to take the next step into a commercial in-house role. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Support procurement processes: Drafting and reviewing contracts with third parties. * Support partnerships: Drafting and assisting with the negotiation of contracts with partners (e.g., charities, employers, IFAs). * Identify potential legal and business risks in proposed operations and advise stakeholders on how to successfully navigate or mitigate them. * Contract management: Oversee contracts throughout their lifecycle, from drafting and negotiation through to variations, change orders, innovations and renewal. * Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders across the business on contract, commercial and corporate law matters (with the support of the Head of Legal), handling ad hoc queries. * Advise on and maintain our suite of contract templates and assist with bespoke drafting. * Conduct legal research on issues relevant to the business. * Assist the legal and compliance function in ensuring the company complies with applicable laws and regulations. OUR MISSION Octopus Legacy is the place to plan for death and find support after loss. When people think about planning for death they think about wills, life insurance and funerals. We take these cold processes and turn them into something more human, letting people share more than money: voice notes, music, recipes. A legacy that connects them while they're here, and after they're gone. Founded by Sam after his mum died suddenly, we're a group of people who work in death because we've been affected by it. We know the difference a good plan makes, and what it's like when there isn't one. We see a world where people talk openly about death and work out the real meaning of legacy, one that connects to them. We're here to make that world happen. WHO ARE YOU? * At least 1 year of in-house experience, ideally in a fast-paced or startup environment * 2 yrs PQE (desirable but not essential) * Experience with commercial contracts and general in-house advisory work * Interest in compliance (legal, regulatory, or operational) * Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and a pragmatic approach to risk * Comfortable working in a lean team and wearing multiple hats * Clear communicator who can break down legal concepts for non-lawyers BENEFITS * Octopus share incentive scheme. * 27 days holiday + an extra day off for your birthday. * Work from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks per year. * Vitality Health & Life Insurance. * Pension scheme. * Enhanced parental leave. * Free Will & LPAs + discounts on other Octopus services. * Cycle to Work Scheme and access to the Electric Vehicle (EV) Salary Sacrifice Scheme. * Octopus Giving: we match any charitable fundraising you do up to £500. * Octopus Springboard: where we help our employees become fully-fledged entrepreneurs. * Dog-friendly office, breakfast every day, snacks and wellness activities.