Senior Legal Counsel

Role Purpose

About Better Society Capital (BSC)

Better Society Capital (BSC) is the UK’s leading social impact-led investor. Our mission is to grow the amount of money invested in tackling social issues and inequalities in the UK; we do this by investing ourselves and enabling others to invest for impact too.

Since 2011, we have helped the social impact investment market grow twelve-fold to over £10 billion. This capital has financed social purpose organisations tackling everything from homelessness to mental health and fuel poverty.

BSC manages £634m of its own investments as well as acting as portfolio manager for the Schroder BSC Social Impact Investment Trust (SBSI) managing its £83m portfolio. BSC is about to implement its next five-year strategy in 2026, which will offer new opportunities.

The Opportunity

As a key member of Better Society Capital’s Legal & Compliance team, you will support the organisation’s social impact investment goals. In particular, you will provide legal advice in relation to investments and corporate, governance and regulatory matters.

The role is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 15 months to provide additional support during the maternity leave of one of the Co-General Counsel (which is a job-share role).

Key Responsibilities

New Investments

• Participate in the due diligence process to ensure legal and regulatory issues around the structure of investments are understood and addressed
• Support the Investment Group with term sheet discussions
• Lead the negotiation of legal documentation, work with different team members across Better Society Capital, co-investors and external counsel, and assist with the completion and onboarding process for investments

Existing Investments

• Maintain a knowledge of Better Society Capital’s legal and regulatory obligations relating to its investments and make sure Better Society Capital has all necessary legal investment documentation in place and properly stored
• Participate in the management of investments over their lifetime, including any amendments or waivers
• Ongoing support for the investment monitoring process with regard to any legal issues that arise
• Advise on the process to restructure or exit investments

Corporate Governance and Regulatory

• Support colleagues across the office with legal, governance and regulatory queries
• Support client investment initiatives, including in relation to the firm’s role as portfolio manager for the groundbreaking listed investment trust, Schroders BSC Social Impact Trust plc and BSC’s nascent advisory business
• Review legislation and regulatory changes and support the implementation of consequential policies, procedures and training
• Draft and negotiate research contracts, non-disclosure agreements and other commercial contracts
• Work with colleagues in the Legal & Compliance team to build and share know-how and best practice across Better Society Capital and its portfolio companies, including training and templates
• Work with the rest of the Legal & Compliance team in supporting each other in additional ad hoc activities, including operational/Artificial Intelligence initiatives
• Manage the relationships, including costs, with external counsel

Skills and Experience

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Solicitor qualified in England and Wales
• Legal related project management

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of transactional finance
• Knowledge and experience of private and/or public market investment funds
• Knowledge and experience of financial services regulation
• Knowledge and experience of data protection
• Engagement with the third sector in some capacity (e.g., trustee of a charity)

Skills, Abilities and Attributes

• Confident, effective communicator who is approachable and flexible
• Can deal effectively with senior management
• Systematic approach to work with high attention to detail
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Approachable and strong team player but able to work self-sufficiently
• Flexible and willing to take on different tasks as required
• Enthusiastic and proactive with the confidence to influence at all levels
• Resilient and can cope with ambiguity and change
• Well organised and able to prioritise
• Good at finding innovative solutions to problems
• Ability to identify risk with sound commercial awareness
• Commitment to continuous learning and development

Embody BSC Core Values

• Purposeful – Passionate and energetic in our work to bring about our long-term vision of a thriving social investment market that enables positive social impact.
• Pioneering Spirit – Autonomy and flexibility to be entrepreneurial and creative. Courage to push boundaries and a restless drive for change.
• Openness – We listen, learn, experiment and collaborate. Adaptive and flexible in responding to what we learn.
• Rigorous – We take a rigorous approach in all we do. We expect the highest standards and continually strive for excellence.
• Respectful – Genuine in both our approach and aspiration. We value each member of our team and our partners for what they bring.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a full page Cover Letter to Careers4Change indicating how your skill sets align with the Job Description and why you are passionate about joining Better Society Capital.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Better Society Capital welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those under-represented in the social impact investment sector and are an equal opportunities employer with an inclusive environment where all employees can contribute to their fullest potential. Our office is fully accessible with step-free access and an open-plan set up. We are open to accommodation requests regarding assistive technologies, accessibility tools, flexible working or any other reasonable adjustments.

Candidates need to have the existing right to work in the UK.