Head of Legal (UK) – Regulatory & Government Affairs

Job Summary

We are seeking a commercially minded legal leader to establish and head the UK legal function for J&T Express. This role will take full ownership of all legal, regulatory, and government relations matters across the UK, serving as the most senior legal advisor in the country. The ideal candidate will combine strong UK legal expertise with government relations experience and the ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, international environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the sole senior legal advisor for J&T’s UK operations, providing strategic counsel on regulatory, commercial, and corporate matters
• Build and manage the UK legal function, including supervising one direct report (Legal Executive/Paralegal) and managing external counsel relationships to support business needs
• Develop and execute government relations (GR) and public affairs strategies, serving as the key liaison with UK government authorities, regulators (e.g., Department for Transport, ICO, CMA), and industry associations
• Monitor and interpret regulatory developments affecting logistics, transportation, and e-commerce, proactively advising the business on compliance and risk mitigation
• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex commercial agreements, including logistics, warehousing, and supply chain contracts
• Manage material disputes, litigation, and regulatory investigations in coordination with external counsel and internal stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with key UK legal frameworks, including data protection, competition law, employment law, and transportation regulations
• Partner with global and regional legal teams to ensure alignment with J&T’s broader legal and compliance strategies
• Support the business on corporate governance matters and company secretarial functions as required

Requirements

• Qualified lawyer in the UK (Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales)
• 6–10 years of post-qualification experience, with a track record in a senior in-house legal role (prior experience in logistics, transportation, retail, or e-commerce sectors is a strong advantage)
• Strong knowledge of the UK regulatory landscape, with demonstrated experience in government relations, public policy, or regulatory affairs (established networks with UK government bodies or regulators is strongly preferred)
• Comfortable operating as a stand-alone senior legal lead, with the ability to manage a small team and external counsel effectively
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to translate legal complexity into commercial solutions
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-border environment

…