Associate General Counsel job description: guide for employers
Recruiting top legal talent for the Associate General Counsel position is crucial to your organization's success. This page provides a downloadable template crafted by our expert legal recruitment team, designed to help you attract candidates who can add significant value to your in-house legal team.
Complete the form to access the template and gain insights into tailoring the job specifications to meet your specific organizational needs.
Crafting job adverts to attract top Associate General Counsel talent
When targeting seasoned legal professionals, your job advert needs to speak directly to their expertise and ambitions. To ensure your role stands out, it’s crucial to highlight the aspects of the role that will challenge, engage, and appeal to their strategic acumen. Below are some key considerations for crafting compelling job ads:
Essential skills and experience
- Legal expertise: Look for candidates with a solid background in corporate and commercial law. They should be comfortable navigating complex legal issues relevant to your business.
- Risk management: Candidates should know how to assess and manage legal risks, balancing compliance with practical business needs.
- Regulatory compliance: It's helpful if candidates have experience with compliance across various jurisdictions, especially if your company operates globally.
- Stakeholder communication: Effective communication is key. Candidates should be able to explain legal concepts clearly to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
Key technical skills
- An effective Associate General Counsel should have:
- Corporate and commercial law experience: Look for those who can provide legal advice on corporate structures and commercial agreements.
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks: Familiarity with laws and regulations like GDPR is crucial.
- Dispute management: Candidates should have experience handling litigation and mediation.
- Contract skills: Experience in drafting and negotiating contracts is essential.
Soft skills that matter
Beyond their technical expertise, an effective Associate General Counsel must excel in various soft skills:
- Communication with wider business: Candidates should be able to convey legal ideas in a straightforward manner to non-legal teams.
- Leadership: Look for those who can lead and mentor junior staff and influence decision-making.
- Problem-solving: Candidates should approach challenges with practical solutions that align with business objectives.
- Business insight: A good candidate understands the business landscape and can provide strategic legal counsel.
Career growth and development
To appeal to senior legal professionals, highlight the potential for advancement within your organization. Showcase pathways to roles such as Gerneral Counsel and Chief Legal Officer and stress your commitment to continuous professional development. Providing opportunities to shape legal strategy and influence high-level business decisions will be particularly attractive to ambitious candidates.
Cultural fit and alignment
While technical skills are crucial, ensuring the candidate aligns with your company’s culture is equally important. An Associate General Counsel must be a trusted advisor who works collaboratively with teams across the business. When advertising the role, emphasize how your company’s values—whether it’s innovation, integrity, or inclusivity—align with the type of leader you are looking to hire.