Principal Associate - Charities & Not Profit

Principal Associate - Charities & Not for Profit

Job title

Department

Private Client – Charities & Not for Profit team

Our Purpose

To forge long-term relationships that have a positive impact on our people, our clients, our business partners, and our communities.

Our Commitment to Our People

We do not think there is a magic formula to the Higgs culture. The key is to listen to and respect our people. If we take care of our people and our people take care of our clients, then everything we want as a firm will take care of itself. We are friendly and open to new ideas.

Our Core Values

Higgs core values are “CLEAR” – Care, Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, Relationships

Role Purpose

To support the Charity and Not for Profit team and wider multidisciplinary practice in delivering specialist charity law, governance, regulatory and philanthropy advice to charitable and not‑for‑profit organisations.

The role involves contributing to business development activities, including tender preparation and submission, supporting clients through regulatory interventions and governance reviews, establishing and registering charitable entities, and assisting with grant administration services.

You will support the development and maintenance of the team’s legal precedents, promote the firm’s profile through sector engagement and helps organise key client events to strengthen relationships and enhance the team’s reputation within the sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively within the wider Private Client team to support clients on a broad range of charity and not‑for‑profit matters, delivering a high‑quality and responsive service.
• Provide supervision, guidance and technical support to team members, including involvement in bi‑monthly file reviews to ensure compliance, quality and professional standards are maintained.
• Support performance management processes, including the setting, monitoring and review of objectives.
• Ensure effective matter management, billing and cost recovery, meeting individual financial targets while supporting the wider team in achieving agreed performance objectives.
• Contribute to the implementation of departmental and firm‑wide business plans, maintain up‑to‑date legal knowledge through continuing professional development, and support the achievement of annual strategic and operational objectives.

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed via application (A), interview (I), Test (T), or multiple (A/I/T).

• Experience leading a team or function and providing recognised expertise that supports good decision‑making, consistent quality, and the development of others. (A/I)
• Demonstrates efficient and commercially aware practice, with an ability to recognise sector developments and adjust approach to meet evolving client needs. (A/I)
• A people centered approach to identify opportunities and contribute to the firm’s success through collaborative engagement. (A/I)
• Ability to model constructive behaviours, support colleagues and help create a clear sense of direction through good judgement and positive influence (A/I)
• Ability to manage complex and competing demands with confidence, provide clear and reasoned guidance, and build effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the business. (A/I)
• Shows a clear understanding of financial hygiene and contributes to achieving team and individual performance goals. (A/I)
• A proven ability to understand what matters to stakeholders and strengthen relationships. (A/I)

Technical Know How

• Proficient user of core business and legal systems.
• Excellent understanding of data security, confidentiality and risk.
• Adopts relevant tools and stays informed about new technologies

Higgs offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people can complete their best work from the most appropriate location. If you are looking to work flexibly then let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

We also encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach which means dressing in a manner appropriate for your schedule or the specific appointments you have on any given day.

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