Director, Associate General Counsel Legal & Compliance – United Kingdom & Europe

Company Overview

We are the better way to work in finance. As private equity’s value creation partner, we sit at the heart of PE—where sponsors and CFOs meet. Through financial consulting rooted in data, technology, and AI, we help clients drive value—supporting the office of the CFO to drive end-to-end value creation.

If you crave challenging work and are looking to grow, come solve complex issues alongside 1,400+ finance & technology experts in a supportive, collaborative environment, then Accordion is the place for you.

As we build our European footprint, the London office presents a unique entrepreneurial opportunity to shape our presence and accelerate growth across the region—while benefiting from the support and stability of an established, industry-leading firm.

Backed by premier private equity firms and headquartered in New York with 10 offices around the globe, we are a high-growth, entrepreneurial firm looking for people who want to be part of building something great. Come make your mark. 

Role Overview

Accordion’s Associate General Counsel, Legal & Compliance – United Kingdom will play a key, hands-on role in establishing and managing the legal function of the company for the U.K. and E.U., from contract law to disputes, data privacy matters to product counseling, and legal and compliance department management and technology adoption.

This role will be based in our London office. Ideal candidates should be local to the desired location, with the flexibility to work remotely 1 day a week, blending the best of both worlds for efficiency and collaboration.

What You’ll Do:

The Associate General Counsel will manage a broad range of day-to-day legal functions while improving their practice and assisting the Global General Counsel in building the legal and compliance functions in region.

Legal:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for legal and compliance matters related to the U.K. and E.U., and support the Global General Counsel as the company expands throughout Europe and other regions.
• Structure, draft and negotiate a wide range of consulting, technology, IP, and data focused commercial agreements, covering:
  • The firm’s consulting strategic advisory services paired with a wide range of products and solutions.
  • Client contracts for management, data and analytics, AI, SaaS, and technology consulting engagements, including engagement letters, MSAs, EULAs, SOWs and Change Orders;
  • Data privacy, transfer, and protection agreements (DPAs, BAAs, etc.), and IT security exhibits;
  • Commercial vendor and third-party services, SaaS, licensing, data exchange, software development, and subcontractor agreements;
  • Technology alliance and partnership agreements, including co-marketing, referral, reseller, and co-development arrangements; NDAs and other agreements.
• Provide real-time contract strategy and negotiation support, including participation in client calls and direct communication regarding contract modifications.
• Assist regional management and the Global General Counsel with identifying and resolving regulatory issues across multiple jurisdictions for several of Accordion’s consulting services and technology solutions.
• Under the Global General Counsel’s direction, manage complex negotiations and disputes with opposing counsel, balancing risk management with commercial objectives.
• Advise on UK and EU (including Ireland) corporate governance requirements, board governance, shareholder matters, director duties, and corporate structure across jurisdictions.
• Support entity formation, maintenance, and cross-border legal and regulatory considerations.
• Support corporate transactions, including M&A, strategic alliances, and investments, as applicable.
• Assist in implementation of legal functional standards and related documents for acquired companies.
• Advise and operationalize global data privacy strategy and compliance, including:
  • UK GDPR, EU GDPR, and other applicable global data protection regimes;
  • Data governance, security, and incident response frameworks.
• Advise on and oversee compliance with the EU AI Act and emerging AI regulations, particularly as they relate to AI-enabled data & analytics tools, consulting services, and SaaS offerings.
• Partner with technology, product, and data teams to embed legal and regulatory considerations into product development and deployment.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice to internal stakeholders across consulting, technology, product, business development, marketing, communications, and operations.
• Support dispute resolution, claims management, and litigation strategy with external counsel where required.

Compliance:

• Help further build and run a comprehensive compliance framework fit for a global financial and technology consulting firm with AI at the core of what we do.
• Strengthen and scale the company’s compliance programs across multiple regulatory schemes, including:
  • Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption, including KYC & AML requirements
  • Modern Slavery Act requirements
  • UK. & E.U. AI regulatory frameworks (EU AI Act, country-level rules, etc.)
  • Data privacy (U.K and E.U. GDPR, and other personal data privacy regulations)
  • Cybersecurity rules and Digital Markets Act, as required
  • Export controls, sanctions, and security rule requirements
  • Information security, incident response, and third-party risk frameworks.
• Develop and maintain AI governance tools (risk assessments, DPIAs, model cards, data lineage documentation).
• In conjunction with the Global General Counsel, act as a key point of contact for regulators and external advisors, as needed.
• Stay abreast of legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements as they apply to professional services (specifically the consulting industry), SaaS, Technology, and AI.
• Assist in conducting internal compliance audits and risk assessments.
• Provide training to leadership and other employees on legal and regulatory issues across multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage vendor due diligence and oversight.

You Have:

• Bachelor of Law (LLB)
• A qualified solicitor in England and Wales; jurisdictional equivalent in an E.U. country is a plus
• Minimum of 10 to 12 years of experience in corporate law:
  • Minimum of 3+ years’ experience as a practicing lawyer, preferably initially with a prominent UK law firm before moving to an in-house position;
  • 4+ years of legal practical experience with an in-house legal department in a public or private company in a senior role.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent follow-through with ability to prioritize and focus on critical tasks.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives regarding governance and securities issues.
• Experience advising and/or assisting on M&A transactions.
• Familiarity with securities laws is a plus.
• Practical working knowledge of UK and EU GDPR, as well as U.S. and global data protection laws, and the EU AI Act and global AI regulations.
• Significant experience working within a legal and compliance function whilst effectively collaborating with Consulting, Sales, Finance, Alliance Partnerships, and other business functions and stakeholders to drive commercial outcomes.
• Experience in risk management and compliance within finance and technology sector environments, is a plus.
• Extensive experience in successfully negotiating and managing high-value, complex commercial contracts including consulting, technology and AI services, vendor, SaaS, strategic alliance, and other agreements.
• Knowledge of UK and EU labour laws a plus.

You Are:

• A self-starter with a strong work ethic.
• A leader of others; you lead by example.
• A strong team player, able to work with team members across all levels.
• Able to effectively communicate complex issues and solutions to a variety of audiences (lawyers, consultants, C-Suite members, clients, vendors, alliance partners, and others), and collaborate on issues with a Global Legal & Compliance team members when necessary.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously to help further build the Legal & Compliance function while also focused on your day-to-day responsibilities (you are managing and doing).
• Someone who takes a proactive approach to taking on responsibilities in support of the Global General Counsel.
• Excited to be part of a growing team, with a focus on driving future growth.
• Full of entrepreneurial spirit and comfortable in a fluid, flat organization.
• Knowledgeable about the relationship between Private Equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional client service.
• Someone who enjoys mentoring others and doing meaningful work.
• Willing to get your hands dirty in the details of a project while simultaneously seeing the whole picture.
• Based in the greater London area.
• Reporting to the Global General Counsel, you will be a member of a Global Legal and Compliance team that prides itself on being business-minded, responsive, and supportive of team members (no one is too important to pitch in and help another teammate!).
• Happy to be in office 4 days per week (required)!

Accordion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under law.

Please note that as per Accordion policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our inclusive diversity values. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Accordion will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.

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