Charities Associate

Job title

Associate

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 community.

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

• Supports the team and wider cross-departmental holistic team in the provision of specialist charity law, good governance, and regulatory advice to charity and not for profit clients.
• Supports the team on the specialist investigation advice provided to registered charities (and their trustees) who are subject to Charity Commission regulatory intervention.
• Supports the team in the development of the team’s philanthropy advice service
• Establishes all forms of charitable vehicles to include specific advice as to suitability and to include registration with the Charity Commission, HMRC and any other regulator (for example the Fundraising Regulator, OSCR and CCNI).
• Supports the provision of an efficient, effective, and streamlined grant administration service and governance review service.

 Key Responsibilities

• Supports the team in all aspects of the delivery of specialist legal advice and assistance to the team and firm’s charity and not for profit clients and sector business partners in the context of charity law, constitutional and regulatory advice, and good governance.
• Undertakes competent and effective research on behalf of the team and shares knowledge appropriately internally.
• Ensures a quality service is provided.
• Contributes to good financial hygiene including WIP, billing, time recording and cash collection.
• Adheres to the firm’s policies and procedures and requirements of relevant regulatory bodies and accreditors, helps mitigate risks and improve standards.
• Understands how their own and the team’s work contributes to the delivery of the firm’s strategy.
• Supports and engages with appropriate business development activities, including understanding the importance of identifying opportunities for new work.

Person Specification

• Conscientious, approachable and enthusiastic, demonstrating good team skills and a positive role model.
• Passion and interest for specialising in this area of law.
• Remains calm but assertive in difficult circumstances.
• Uses a ‘can do’ approach and initiative.
• Uses appropriate methods of communication and adapts style to suit recipient, with good attention to detail.
• Anticipates people’s need for information and manages the expectations of others.
• Actively involved in relevant learning experiences and development activities.

Technical Knowledge

• Ideally has a level of technical knowledge of charity law and regulation, and Charity Commission guidance and is passionate about specialising in this area. 
• Conducts research competently and effectively.
• Keeps up to date with relevant changes in the sector.

What You Need to Know

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 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.

Equal Opportunities

As charter signatories to The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Higgs are committed to developing a diverse business by engaging with the widest pool of talent. We recognise this is an ongoing journey and regularly monitor our figures which can be viewed here.

People Driven. Legal Excellence.