The Lifescape Project

We are looking for a passionate lawyer who can quickly take ownership of an established portfolio of strategic legal work and lead a small, high-impact team during a period of maternity leave. About us We are a small but growing UK-registered charity which undertakes projects that protect and restore wild landscapes, helping to provide a future for all life on earth. We use the skills and expertise of our multi-disciplinary team (spanning science, law, economics, technology and culture) to develop projects that protect and restore wild, natural landscapes. About the role As Interim Director of Legal, you will lead Lifescape's legal strategy and oversee the delivery of our high-impact legal projects to protect and restore nature. You will manage and support a growing legal team, develop partnerships with NGOs, lawyers and funders, and identify opportunities to expand Lifescape's work internationally. The position is line-managed by the CEO of Lifescape Project, Adam Eagle, and works closely with him and the wider management team. The position currently line manages two Managing Lawyers, responsible for the day-to-day delivery of our Litigation and Rewilding Law projects alongside their teams. As a member of the Management Team, the role also contributes to organisational leadership, helping shape strategy and ensure our work delivers meaningful outcomes for ecosystems and communities. Key responsibilities include: Leading and delivering Lifescape's legal strategy to maximise the impact of law in protecting and restoring natural ecosystems. Overseeing the development and delivery of legal projects, ensuring strong planning, resourcing, risk management and delivery of outcomes. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on impact across our legal projects. Substantively contributing to delivery of our work, particularly litigation, as agreed and subject to capacity. Managing the legal team, providing leadership, line management and support to foster a collaborative and high-performing culture. Overseeing budgets, financial management and fundraising for legal projects, ensuring accountability, reporting and compliance with funder requirements. Building and maintaining relationships with NGOs, lawyers, funders and partners, representing Lifescape externally and developing opportunities to expand the organisation's legal work. Contributing to organisational leadership as part of the Management Team, supporting strategy, organisational planning and reporting. This is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week to cover a period of maternity leave for 14 months, required from mid-June 2026 to August 2027. About you You will be passionate about using your legal skills to protect and restore wild landscapes and have proven experience of leading a team of impact-lawyers, ideally in the not-for-profit sector. You will be able to demonstrate the following: Qualified lawyer (solicitor, barrister or equivalent) with substantial (10+ years) post qualification experience including strategic litigation and ideally environmental, public or planning law. Strong leadership and team management skills, including extensive experience line managing and supporting the development of colleagues. Experience leading complex legal projects or programmes, with the ability to manage delivery, budgets, risks, timelines and outcomes, ideally in a grant-funded context. Experienced litigator with a track record of leading a programme of strategic litigation. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and priorities within an established programme of work. Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, including experience working with NGOs, legal practitioners, funders or other external partners. Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and represent the organisation externally. Commitment to environmental protection and alignment with the organisation's mission and values. Salary and benefits Full-time position with a salary of £70,000-£73,000 per annum, depending on experience. Flexible working can be agreed with the successful candidate, as can temporary international remote work outside country of residence. Benefits including 36 days of annual leave (28 not including public holidays), expenses paid annual Lifescape retreat and two in person staff meetings per year, full pension, remote work and training budgets, and provision of computing equipment. We also subscribe to a 24/7 unlimited Employee Assistance Programme, so there is always someone for you to talk to if you need support. To apply, please email a cover letter and CV (each a maximum of 2 pages) to Closing date: 9am on Tuesday 14 April 2026. If you would like to talk to someone about the role before you apply, please contact Sarah in the first instance.