Head of Legal

Head of Legal job description

The Head of Legal leads the legal function within a financial services organisation, overseeing legal risk management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. This senior role advises executive leadership on legal matters and ensures the business operates within a robust legal framework aligned with its strategic objectives.

Head of Legal job duties and responsibilities of the job

Key responsibilities of a Head of Legal in the financial services sector include:

Providing strategic legal advice to the executive team and board of directors

Managing legal risk and ensuring compliance with financial services regulations

Overseeing all contractual, corporate, and regulatory legal matters

Leading the development and implementation of legal policies, governance frameworks, and compliance protocols

Managing relationships with external legal counsel and regulatory bodies

Supporting M&A transactions, capital raisings, commercial negotiations, and dispute resolution

Ensuring compliance with ASIC, APRA, AUSTRAC, and other relevant regulatory obligations

Overseeing company secretarial functions, board support, and statutory filings

Leading, mentoring, and developing the in-house legal team

Advising on legal aspects of financial crime, privacy, and accountability frameworks (e.g. AML/CTF, Privacy Act, FAR)

Contributing to enterprise risk management, including conduct risk and regulatory change initiatives

Typical Head of Legal job qualifications and requirements

A qualified law degree and current legal practising certificate with extensive post-admission experience in financial services are essential. Strong leadership and regulatory knowledge are critical for success in this role.

Key skills and attributes for success in this role include:

Minimum 10 years of post-qualification experience, with a strong financial services focus

Deep understanding of financial services regulation, including ASIC, APRA, AFSL, and CPS 220/234 compliance requirements

Proven leadership in managing legal teams and complex legal issues

Experience in contract negotiation, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance

Ability to advise on financial crime, privacy, and data protection obligations

Experience supporting organisational change, product development, or regulatory transformation

Strong commercial acumen and risk assessment skills

Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities

Experience in advising at board and executive level

Demonstrated understanding of ethical frameworks, governance codes, and accountability obligations (e.g. FAR/BEAR)

Experience overseeing disputes, managing external counsel, and mitigating litigation risk

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Salary for Head of Legal

220000 - 310000

25th percentile

220000

The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.

50th percentile

250000

The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.

75th percentile

310000

The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialised certifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation.

Projected salaries for related positions

Job title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Junior Legal Counsel

75000

90000

110000

Legal Counsel

105000

130000

170000

Senior Legal Counsel

145000

185000

265000

General Counsel

250000

310000

490000

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