Commercial and Policy Solicitor

Are you a legal professional looking for a role with purpose, impact and variety? We’re looking for a Commercial & Policy Solicitor to join our Legal team to provide high-quality advice that supports our organisational goals and strengthens our service to members across the UK.

About the role

As a Commercial and Policy Solicitor you will support the Head of Legal (Commercial) and Head of Legal (Trade Union) to deliver confident, pragmatic legal advice across a broad range of commercial, data, corporate, policy, employment and public law matters. You will build strong working relationships across directorates, lead small projects, and provide expert support on national public inquiries and key association initiatives. This is a role that blends advisory work, stakeholder engagement, contract review, litigation support, external lawyer management and strategic input and would be ideal for a solicitor who enjoys variety and meaningful impact.

What you’ll be doing:

• Delivering timely and practical legal advice across commercial, data protection, governance, corporate services, technology, employment, public and administrative law issues.
• Advising on, drafting and negotiating on complex commercial contracts relating to IT, intellectual property, joint ventures, procurement, supply of services, framework agreements and consultancy agreements.
• Supporting the organisation’s response to public inquiries, liaising with external counsel and ensuring effective, joined-up legal oversight.
• Providing legal input into policy development and member-related matters across all four nations.
• Managing and collaborating with external solicitors and counsel to ensure cost-effective, high-quality advice.
• Conducting legal research, drafting opinions, preparing litigation documents and assessing prospects of success.
• Delivering internal legal training and supporting the Legal Department’s contribution to wider communications.
• Acting as a key point of contact for devolved nation colleagues and staying up to date on relevant legal developments.
• Upholding high professional standards, managing privileged information, and representing the organisation with credibility and integrity.

To be successful as a Commercial and Policy Solicitor you’ll ideally have:

• Recognised law qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister (SRA or Bar Council certificate, or equivalent common law jurisdiction qualification) (essential).
• Post-qualification experience (of at least 4 years), ideally spanning commercial, policy, regulatory, public law or trade union matters.
• Strong communication & influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts for non-lawyers and to deal with senior members of staff across the organisation.
• Ability to balance legal risk with operational needs and provide pragmatic, solution-focused advice.
• Experience working collaboratively across different internal teams, departments & external suppliers and 3rd parties.
• A proactive, organised and flexible approach with sound judgement and the confidence to advise senior stakeholders.
• Commitment to professional ethics, confidentiality and high standards of legal conduct.

About the BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. We represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students. Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession.

Why work for us?

• 30 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a BMA company day.
• Double matching pension contributions up to 12% of salary.
• Additional leave entitlement for volunteering, moving house or wedding leave (after completion of probationary period).
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Group Income protection & life assurance that is seven times your annual salary.
• Annual salary reviews & incremental salary increases from year one to year three.
• Onsite gym and subsidised café (at BMA House in London).
• Electric Vehicle and Cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes (available after completion of probationary period).
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available.
• Long service recognition every 5 years.
• Professional subscription cover where membership of a professional institution is required for your role.
• BMA Law - discounted rates for employees requiring legal services such as will writing/conveyancing.
• Multiple flexible benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform.
• Lots of Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub.
• Season ticket loan (up to £10,000) (after completion of probationary period).
• Additional annual leave - buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year.

Anonymous recruitment

The BMA endeavours to be an inclusive employer, ensuring fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for roles. To support our aims, we use specific software to remove all personal identifying information from CVs and applications. Personal information such as name, date of birth, age and gender are anonymised and will only become visible to hiring managers if you are selected for interview.

To apply please upload an up to date version of your CV and supporting information setting out your suitability for the role. Whether the role needs you to work at home, in an office or in a hybrid way, we’ll provide all the support you need. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply through our website. However, if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email recruitment@bma.org.uk.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date. The role profile outlines the current key responsibilities and expectations for the position. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) is presently engaged in an organisation design process, which aims to ensure that our structure, roles, and ways of working best support our strategic objectives and the needs of our members. As a result, the responsibilities and scope of this role may be subject to change as the association evolves. The BMA is committed to communicating any such changes transparently and supporting colleagues through any transitions that arise as part of this process.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring: Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody with the right skills and experience and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Please note, we are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence.