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Head of Commercial, Innovation and Technology Legal (BI)

London, United Kingdom; Greater Manchester, United Kingdom; Birmingham, United Kingdom

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Date live: 26/05/2026

Business Area: Legal

Area of Expertise: Legal

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000107515

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Barclays Legal

Join the Legal team to protect Barclays, its employees, and its brands while ensuring global competitiveness and compliance with legal standards. Your responsibilities will include risk mitigation, managing strategic transactions, and overseeing business contracts.

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Additional Job Description:  

  • This is a key director leadership role within Commercial, Innovation and Technology Legal which encompasses:

(i) team leadership of a number of direct reports and significant contribution to wider CIT Legal team leadership as a member of CIT Legal’s global leadership team;

(ii) leadership oversight for strategic transactional matters with an EME focus - including M&A deals, strategic technology contracts, complex outsourcing arrangements and strategic market data licensing arrangements; and

(iii) coverage area oversight and stakeholder relationship management for a diverse range of areas including Technology and Market Data, facing off to Procurement, business areas and business unit legal teams in respect of the CIT work in these areas;

  • Senior qualified lawyer (Solicitor, Barrister or equivalent in the role holder’s relevant location), with relevant post-qualification experience (in-house and/or private practice) ideally including one or more of the following areas: software/fintech, commercial contracts, payments, financial services, electronic trading. 
  • Strong technical knowledge of and expertise in advising on and negotiating general commercial/technology contracts and the regulatory aspects associated with them for a financial services institution, preferably including a range of agreements from the following examples (this is an illustrative list): 
  • Extensive experience in advising on the structure and negotiation of high-value, business critical technology projects, including cloud (IaaS/PaaS), strategic AI solutions, SaaS, and software-development agreements with global vendors;
  • Extensive experience in advising on the structure and leading the negotiation of complex market data licensing and index licensing transactions with major vendors;
  • Acting on global outsourcing deals, including for business critical services, as well as other global deals including for professional services;
  • Leading key sponsorship, media buying and marketing deals.
  • Experience in the design, implementation and governance of technology-enabled transformation initiatives to support structured process optimisation and enhanced risk control across legal workflows.
  • Technical knowledge and experience above to be based on English law contracts or equivalent (e.g. experience of the laws, and ideally contract principles, in a comparable legal system (including Common Law jurisdictions) with a similar legal framework to those found in contracts governed by English law. 
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, ability to work cross-functionally in a collegiate and professional manner, and willingness to support projects led by other teams and functions. 
  • Strong communication skills. 
  • Excellent attention to detail, organisational and time management skills – with the ability to manage a range of tasks and responsibilities to a high quality, to deliver tasks and manage processes in a consistently accurate and efficient manner, to plan and deliver tasks to deadlines (and, where applicable, in line with team SLAs), to prioritise work effectively and to work flexibly to meet team and stakeholder needs. 
  • Ability to demonstrate Barclays’ Values and Mindset, and to support colleagues (including their wellbeing, and contributing positively and proactively to a supportive and inclusive team culture). 
  • High motivation, initiative and professionalism. 
  • Experience supporting/supervising/developing other colleagues. 

Desirable skills/Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Experience of the financial services industry, either in house with a financial services organisation or with a significant law firm, with a focus on regulatory advice against the subject matter areas above. 
  • Understanding, knowledge and experience of Barclays and its operational and strategic objectives. 
  • Demonstrable experience of identifying improvements in processes and ways of working and supporting the implementation of the same. 

Purpose of the role

To ensure that the commercial, innovation, technology, real estate, sponsorship, data licensing and service activities (CIT Areas) are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and to help the bank manage legal and reputational risks associated with these activities.

Accountabilities

  • Development and implementation of best practice legal strategies for risk management and compliance. 
  • Legal advice and support to the business on CIT Areas, including regulatory advice and advocacy, innovation and technology strategy, and contract drafting, review and negotiation. 
  • Representation of the bank in legal proceedings related to CIT Areas, such as litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations. 
  • Creation and review of legal documents including agreements and licenses for commercial services, technology, software, data, real estate, and sponsorship and other legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 
  • Legal research and analysis to stay up to date on changes in laws and regulations that may impact the bank across the CIT Areas. 
  • Developing and delivering training programmes to educate employees on legal and regulatory requirements related to the CIT Areas. 
  • Pro-active identification, communication, and provision of legal advice on applicable laws, rules and regulations (LRRs). Keeping up to date with regards to changes to LRRs in the relevant coverage area. Ensuring that LRRs are effectively allocated to, and adequately reflected within, the relevant policies, standards and controls. 

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide.. 
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions.. 
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. 
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function. 
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately. 
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence. 
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate. 
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives. 
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives. 
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations. 
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area. 
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally. 
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions. 
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division. 

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others. 

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave. 

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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