Deputy General Counsel (12-month Fixed Term Contract)
Location: London / Hybrid (our office days are Weds & Thurs, with the rest being work from home)
We are looking for an exceptional
Deputy General Counsel
to support and partner with Rightmove's General Counsel in leading our high-performing Legal, Compliance, Data Protection, and Procurement functions.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced in-house legal leader to play a pivotal role in shaping the legal strategy of one of the UK's most recognised digital brands.
As Deputy General Counsel, you will be a key strategic advisor, a trusted business partner, and an empowering leader. You'll take ownership of major workstreams across commercial contracts, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory matters, and corporate governance - ensuring we move fast while managing risk in a balanced and commercial way. You will provide day-to-day leadership of a multi-disciplinary team, deputise for the General Counsel as needed, and drive continuous improvement in how the function operates.
This role is perfect for a senior in-house lawyer who thrives in dynamic digital environments, is comfortable with ambiguity, and enjoys working at the intersection of law, product, technology, and strategy.
What you'll be doing
Legal Leadership & Business Partnering
Act as a senior legal advisor to executive stakeholders, providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented guidance on commercial, operational, and strategic matters.
Deputise for the General Counsel, as required, including attending various committees and subsidiary board meetings.
Help define and execute the legal team's strategic roadmap, aligning legal frameworks and processes with business priorities.
Commercial & Product Support
Own the delivery of high-quality, business-focused advice on commercial contracts, product development, technology partnerships, marketing, and customer terms.
Lead or oversee complex contract negotiations, ensuring balance between legal robustness and commercial agility.
Partner closely with Product, Technology, Data, Marketing, Sales, and Finance teams to enable innovation safely and efficiently.
Data Protection & Information Governance
Support and advise on GDPR and privacy compliance across the group, partnering closely with the DPO.
Provide leadership on data-related risks, data sharing, vendor assessments, marketing compliance, and new product data flows.
Help embed a culture of privacy-by-design and strong information governance.
Intellectual Property & Brand Protection
Oversee management of Rightmove's IP strategy, including trademarks, copyrights, and brand protection initiatives.
Advise on licensing, content use, IP disputes, and protection of proprietary technology and datasets.
Regulatory & Compliance
Support compliance with key regulatory regimes (FCA, CMA, ICO, ASA, RICS, and others), advising stakeholders and leading operational improvements.
Partner with compliance colleagues to maintain proportionate, effective first-line compliance frameworks for our regulated subsidiaries.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop members of the legal team, driving a high-performance and high-trust culture.
Support team resourcing, external counsel relationships, and operational excellence initiatives.
Help implement modern legal operations practices - optimising processes, templates, technology, and workflows.
Risk, Disputes & Corporate Activity
Provide corporate governance support, general risk management advice and overall corporate support
Manage or oversee litigation, disputes, and escalated customer or vendor issues.
Support due diligence and corporate transactions.
Identify and mitigate legal risks proactively across the organisation.
Who you are
Experienced In-House Legal Leader
Significant experience (12+ PQE) in a senior in-house role (e.g., Associate GC, Legal Director, Head of Legal) within a large, complex or fast-growth organisation. (Note: PQE is indicative and candidates with the relevant experience will be considered.)
Proven track record of advising the most senior stakeholders in a business (Board of Directors, C-Suite, executives.)
Strong grounding in commercial contracts, data protection, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property - comfortable owning these areas end-to-end.
Experience with advising in relation to AI deployment, creation and compliance.
Commercial, Pragmatic & Solutions-Driven
Adept at balancing legal risk with commercial outcomes.
Thrives on partnering with product and commercial teams, enabling innovation without unnecessary friction.
Able to simplify complex issues and communicate clearly to non-legal audiences.
Leadership & Collaboration
Demonstrable experience leading high-performing legal and compliance teams.
A team-first mindset, with a passion for developing people and improving how legal operates.
Comfortable stepping into the General Counsel's shoes when needed.
Calm Under Pressure
Proven track record managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments with high expectations.
Sound judgment and resilience when dealing with ambiguity, urgent matters, or sensitive issues.
Hands-On & Adaptable
Equally comfortable rolling up sleeves for complex drafting and dealing with routine customer queries as you are advising senior leaders or shaping strategy.
Curious, collaborative, and proactive - someone who spots risks early and drives solutions.
What's in it for you
People are the foundation of Rightmove - we'll help you build a career on it.
Competitive compensation package.
Cash plan for dental, optical, and physio treatments.
Private Medical Insurance, Pension and Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Plan.
27 days holiday plus two (paid) volunteering days a year to give back, and holiday buy schemes.
Hybrid working pattern with 2 days in the office (either Milton Keynes or London).
Contributory stakeholder pension.
Life assurance at 4x your basic salary to a spouse, family member other nominated person in your life.
Paid leave for maternity, paternity, adoption, and fertility.
Travel Loan, Bike to Work scheme, Rental Deposit Loan.
Charitable contributions through Payroll Giving and donation matching.
Access deals and discounts on things like travel, electronics, fashion, gym memberships, cinema discounts, and more.
About Rightmove
Our vision is to give everyone the belief they can make their move. We aim to make moving simpler, by giving everyone the best place to turn to and return to for access to the tools, expertise, trust, and belief to make it happen.
We're home to the UK's largest choice of properties and are the go-to destination for millions of people planning their next move, reading the latest industry news, or just browsing what's on the market.
Despite this growth, we've remained a friendly, supportive place to work with employee #1 still working here! We've done this by placing the Rightmove How's at the heart of everything we do. These are the essential values that reflect our culture and include:
We create value
...by delivering results and building trust with partners and consumers.
We think bigger
...by acting with curiosity and setting bold aspirations.
We care deeply
...by being real, having fun, and valuing diversity.
We move together
...by being one team - internally collaborative, externally competitive.
We make a difference
...by focusing on delivering measurable impact.
If all of this has caught your eye, you may well be a Rightmover in the making!
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As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Rightmove will never discriminate based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage / civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity or sexual orientation.
At Rightmove, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce leads to better innovation, productivity, and overall success., We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of their background or identity, to develop and promote a diverse culture that reflects the communities we serve.
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