Head of Legal - Procurement & Business Information Services (BIS)

Are you a seasoned legal professional with a passion for driving excellence within the specialist areas of Procurement and IT? We have a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic Head of Legal to spearhead our Indirect Procurement and Business Information Services team, based at our new state-of-the-art headquarters near Blackfriars, London and our BIS headquarters in Hemel Hempstead (you will need to be present at both sites).

Overview

As the Head of Legal Procurement and Business Information Services at Smiths Group plc in London, you will play a pivotal role in steering the legal, risk and compliance aspects of both the Indirect Procurement and Business Information Services (BIS) functions.

You will lead the legal responsibilities related to supplier onboarding and relationships, contract negotiations, and risk mitigation within the indirect procurement domain and be responsible for maintaining our Indirect Procurement templates and Procurement Terms and Conditions used widely across all business divisions within Smiths Group. Simultaneously, you will provide strategic legal guidance to the BIS senior leadership team across all legal, risk and compliance matters to ensure the smooth-running of the BIS function. You will be responsible for driving legal negotiations with our IT and Digital suppliers (large and small) to BIS.

Data protection compliance is often a critical factor in our Indirect Procurement and BIS projects and so you will also be comfortable reviewing and drafting the transactional data protection elements of contracts for our key Procurement and BIS stakeholders.

Your impact extends globally, managing cross-divisional and cross-functional relationships, managing and building relationships with our EU works councils, collaborating with key stakeholders, and setting strategic directions for both the Indirect Procurement and BIS legal functions. Leveraging your leadership acumen, technological expertise, and commitment to continuous improvement, you will be instrumental in driving transformative legal strategies within the dynamic and innovative landscape of Smiths Group.

About you

As a seasoned professional, you bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Your journey in the legal realm, specifically in Procurement and IT / Digital, reflects a commitment to excellence and a keen understanding of the intricacies within these domains. Your proven track record in managing programmes, negotiating complex contracts (including global IT outsourcing agreements and global application management services agreements) and steering global procurement efforts positions you as a leader in the field.

Your leadership style is characterised by a strategic vision, technological acumen, and a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. You thrive in dynamic environments, navigating change with finesse and driving transformative initiatives. Adept at handling change management and building trusted relationships, you have a global mindset that aligns seamlessly with Smiths Group’s expansive reach and cross-functional collaborations.

Your commitment to upholding legal standards and your ability to navigate complex landscapes make you an invaluable asset to any team. You are passionate about making a significant impact and contributing to the innovative landscape of a global organisation.

Why you should join us

By apply for this opportunity you will become the catalyst for transformative legal strategies within the dynamic and forward-thinking environment at Smiths Group. You will also shape the future, embrace challenges, and leave your mark on the legal and procurement landscape.

Indirect Procurement Leadership:

• Oversee legal, risk, and compliance matters relating to indirect procurement for Smiths Group and its business divisions (annual spend approx. £500m).
• Draft and negotiate a diverse range of contracts: IT (e.g. software licenses, cloud computing, SaaS, digital transformation, cyber security and telecommunications) and non-IT (supply, outsourcing and confidentiality agreements across all indirect procurement categories).
• Drive commercial improvement and efficiency through policy design, implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage updates to procurement terms and conditions, ensuring alignment with industry best practices.

Business Information Services Expertise:

• Act as a strategic member of the BIS Senior Leadership Team.
• Navigate diverse legal, risk, and compliance matters spanning e.g. ethics, employment, real estate, and data protection.
• Nurture relationships with works councils.
• Provide guidance and training for Smiths Group’s business divisions on IT-related legal matters, including digital, cyber, and artificial intelligence developments.
• Draft and roll out IT-related policies (e.g. monitoring, social media, acceptable use, cyber and artificial intelligence).

General Responsibilities:

• Recruit and manage legal resources (internal and external) to support Indirect Procurement and BIS functions.
• Efficiently manage budgets.
• Undertake other reasonable tasks within your capacity as required by the Company.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity

• Qualified lawyer with proven in-house experience in a Head of Legal role or equivalent.
• Track record in negotiating and managing IT and non-IT contracts through the full lifecycle, working with a wide range of suppliers from start-ups to large global players.
• Expertise in transactional data protection and familiarity with the evolving technology landscape (including digital, cyber and artificial intelligence developments).
• Strong leadership skills, including coaching, mentoring, and fostering a culture of inclusion and innovation.
• Ability to articulate and implement strategies, demonstrate change management effectiveness, and excel in programme management.

At Smiths we apply leading-edge technology to design, manufacture and deliver market-leading innovative solutions that meet our customers’ evolving needs, and touch the lives of millions of people every day. We are a FTSE100, global business of around 14,600 colleagues, based in 50+ countries. Our solutions have a real impact on lives across the planet, enabling industry, improving healthcare, enhancing security, advancing connectivity and supporting new homes. Our products and services are often critical to our customers’ operations, while our proprietary technology and high service levels help create competitive advantage. We welcome colleagues with a curious mind, who are happy with responsibility, enjoy a challenge and are attracted by the idea of working at a business with a 170+ year history of innovation, and five global divisions, all experts in their field.

Smiths Group has been pioneering progress in technology and engineering for more than 170 years. Our products and services touch the lives of millions of people every day through our leading positions in critical markets including general industry, safety and security, energy and aerospace. Our four divisions have distinctive capabilities and operate in 50 countries, together employing more than 14,500 talented colleagues.

Our operational colleagues are supported by specialised corporate functional teams based all around the world and at Smiths London CHQ. Our functional teams, including strategy, finance, IT, HR, legal, tax, operational excellence, communications and corporate affairs, work together and with our divisions and regions to support Smiths exciting growth agenda. Joining one of our functional teams brings the opportunity to learn from great people, build skills, and forge a diverse and interesting global career while contributing to the success of an innovative and accelerating company.

For more information on Smiths please visit www.smiths.com.

About Smiths Group (Procurement & BIS)

At the core of Smiths Group’s operational excellence lie robust Procurement and Business Information Services (BIS) functions. Our Indirect Procurement team manages an annual spend of approximately £500m across diverse supplier engagements. We navigate complexities with precision, ensuring commercial efficiency and risk mitigation across all categories including IT, HR & professional services, logistics, utilities, facilities, capital equipment, and maintenance repairs & operations.

In parallel, our Business Information Services team stands as a strategic pillar, providing cutting-edge IT-related services to Smiths Group and its four dynamic business divisions. This includes digital, cyber security, and artificial intelligence solutions. Together, these functions support the backbone of Smiths Group’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and legal excellence on a global scale.