Head of Legal Operations

About Us

Believ is a Charge Point Operator (CPO) dedicated to sustainable transport, ensuring affordable access to electric vehicle charging for all. We partner with local authorities and businesses to build the UK's most reliable EV charging network, delivering high quality networks at scale and zero cost to users. We are part of a scale up backed by Liberty Global and Zouk Capital, and we are expanding rapidly through the growth phase.

About the Role

Reporting to the Legal Director, you will lead a team of UK based lawyers, oversee all aspects of Believ's EV charging network legal work, including securing property interests, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. You will shape our legal, regulatory, and compliance functions and partner closely with business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 2 senior counsels, 1 counsel and 1 paralegal.
• Oversee all legal, regulatory and compliance activities across the network.
• Manage a pipeline of public sector and private sector transactions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring appropriate staffing and resources.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to maintain clear pipeline visibility.
• Manage property acquisition: title due diligence, concessions, lease agreements, licences, SDLT and Land Registry registration.
• Negotiate and administer supply side agreements for the EV network, including IT hardware, services, construction contracts, energy supply agreements and other operational contracts.
• Define procurement requirements, pricing mechanisms, service levels and remedies for supplier non performance in collaboration with the business.
• Maintain a contract portfolio that includes introducer/commission agreements, roaming agreements and the aforementioned supply side agreements.
• Work with tenders & sales teams on RFIs, RFPs and advise on public procurement challenges.
• Develop initiatives to shorten contract negotiation cycles with local authorities and private landlords.
• Identify, manage and mitigate risks to enable timely contract terminations, renewals and variations.
• Prepare and oversee the legal budget, monitor spend, review external law firms and conduct RFPs for legal services.
• Maintain and continuously improve contract templates and negotiation playbooks.
• Lead the adoption and optimisation of legal technology solutions, including AI and contract management systems.
• Build strong working relationships, provide regular training and foster close collaboration between legal and business teams.
• Manage Believ's ISO certifications (audit preparation, applications for new ISOs, liaison with external auditors).
• Maintain Believ's B Corp certification and insurance coverage for all operations.
• Support business areas on contract life cycle management, track obligations and advise on breach mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with public charge point regulations and monitor evolving industry trends such as solar power canopies, vehicle to grid and battery storage.
• Draft and revise corporate policies (Modern Slavery, Anti Bribery, Business Continuity, Privacy, etc.) and develop and implement legal procedures.
• Represent Believ at industry working groups and coordinate responses to public consultations.
• Deputise for the Legal Director at senior level and Board meetings and support ad hoc duties such as company secretariat activities, trade mark portfolio, GDPR & data protection and M&A support.

Key Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (SRA) in England & Wales.
• Minimum 10years of post qualification experience, ideally in house and within fast paced environments.
• Significant experience negotiating and advising on commercial contracts.
• Strong background in property law, including leases and licences.
• Experience in, or demonstrable learning of, large scale network infrastructure roll outs (EV, mobile, broadband, electricity).
• Track record of coaching and developing team members.
• Proven ability to design and implement pre and post contracting processes and drive deal completion.
• Adaptability to a scale up environment where priorities shift and new business models are trialled.
• Commercial acumen to structure advice for start up and emerging industry contexts.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to dive into the business and take on challenges.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme.
• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 UK bank holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional leave days per year.
• Well being benefits: Calm app, medical, critical illness, dental, optical and travel insurance, income protection and life assurance.
• Pension contribution matched up to 10%.
• Access to a car benefit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
• Online learning platform for career development.
• 16 hours annual volunteer time.
• Partner offer discounts: Virgin Media, O2 and VIP arena suites.
• Enhanced parental leave policies (available to employees who started before 1December).

Location

The business is based at our Southwark office. The position is full time, hybrid with three days (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) spent in Southwark and candidates able to attend our Cardiff or Edinburgh offices will also be considered.

EEO Statement

Believ is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation in all stages of the application, interview and employment process. Please contact us to request accommodation.