Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate

Overview

YouGov seeks a first-in-house Corporate lawyer to lead day-to-day corporate work across the group. You will report to the General Counsel & Company Secretary and partner with the Deputy Company Secretary to support Board, executive leadership, and the Finance function on governance, capital markets, M&A, and group‑level matters. This role offers the opportunity to build the in-house corporate legal capability in a fast-moving, AIM-listed environment. You will work closely with senior stakeholders to shape policy, structure, and risk management. A strong hook is the chance to establish a bespoke in-house capability for a data and AI business, with broad impact across the organization.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working (x2 days in office)
• Permanent, full-time role
• Opportunities to shape a new in-house function

Responsibilities

• Capital Markets, Governance and Listing Compliance: advise on MAR, AIM Rules, listing disclosures, PDMR obligations, and market announcements; liaise with Deputy Company Secretary and external advisers on governance matters; develop governance framework and delegated authorities.
• M&A and Corporate Transactions: lead legal workstreams on transactions; coordinate with internal stakeholders and external counsel; manage due diligence, structuring, documentation, completion, and integration.
• Legal advice on Group Structure and Legal Entities: optimize group structure; ensure Companies Act 2006 compliance and governance for subsidiaries; advise on resolutions, minutes, and filings.
• Finance Legal Partnering: act as primary legal partner for Finance; advise on debt finance, banking, treasury, tax structuring; support covenant compliance and financing documentation.
• Anti-Bribery, Sanctions, Company Principles and Delegated Authority Rules: oversee compliance advice and training; evolve and implement the YouGov Principles, Delegated Authority Rules, and codes of conduct.
• Continuous Improvement: establish the in-house corporate legal capability and identify process improvements to bring work in-house where appropriate.

Key requirements

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)
• 3–8 years’ post-qualification experience in corporate law
• Experience advising a London-listed PLC (AIM or Main Market)
• Experience with group entity structures and subsidiary company secretarial matters
• Strong knowledge of MAR, AIM Rules, and the Companies Act 2006; UK corporate governance frameworks
• Experience leading or supporting M&A transactions and corporate projects
• Ability to provide clear, commercial legal advice to senior stakeholders (Board and Finance)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple workstreams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• clear, commercial, pragmatic legal advice
• strong communication with senior stakeholders
• multi-stakeholder collaboration
• Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
• AIM Rules for Companies
• Companies Act 2006

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