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- Tasks: Provide legal advice on contracts and compliance for the Church of England's national institutions.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive team at the National Church Institutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while working on groundbreaking legal projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified barrister or solicitor with strong experience in contracts and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment with a focus on diversity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
Join Our Legal Office. The Legal Office is the in-house provider of legal services to the national policy-making and governance institutions of the Church of England (the National Church Institutions, “NCIs”), which are some of the largest charities in the UK. The Legal Office also advises the General Synod, which is a legislative assembly that makes primary and secondary legislation subject to the approval of Parliament. We are a small, inclusive team comprising 17 legally qualified staff, with three paralegals and two support staff. Our work is firmly values-led and requires the provision of advice on diverse and intellectually stimulating points of law at the intersection of public and private law.
About the role: As a member of the Legal Office Advisory Team, you will be providing legal services to the National Institutions of the Church of England, focused on giving legal advice across a diverse and interesting range of subjects which bear on the operations of the Church Commissioners and other parts of the national Church of England. You will be able to take a leading and meaningful role in existing and new projects. This role will include:
- Working with senior counsel and other stakeholders in relation to drafting and reviewing contracts (including grant agreements), and supporting effective legal compliance and due-diligence.
- Providing timely, legally sound and pragmatic subject matter expertise into national projects including contractual risk reviews, and drafting and amending terms, and negotiating terms with counterparties (both standard and bespoke).
- Supporting the development and roll out of training and knowledge management in connection with contracts and other areas of professional practice.
- Provision of advice to the Church Commissioners, the Archbishops’ Council, the Church of England Pensions Board, their boards, committees and staff on legal and procedural issues arising out of their work.
Key role requirements: Hybrid working with some regular weekly travel to London.
About You: The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to recruiting disabled people. To be successful in this role, you will need to have/be:
- Qualified barrister or solicitor (England & Wales)
- Strong experience in your chosen area (contracts, commercial, or advisory)
- Excellent communication and drafting skills
- Ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice on complex issues
What we offer: A salary of circa ÂŁ73,000 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.
Your Benefits: 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time). We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, including enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships. Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash, providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines. Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
ABOUT NATIONAL CHURCH INSTITUTIONS: The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background. Living out our values in all that we do, we: Excellence, Compassion, Respect others, Collaborate, Act with Integrity. We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.
Legal Counsel - Contracts and Compliance in London employer: Church of England
Contact Detail:
Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Contracts and Compliance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might have insights into the Church of England or similar organisations. A friendly chat can lead to valuable referrals or insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the Church's values and current projects. Show us that you’re not just a legal whiz but also someone who aligns with our mission and can contribute to our diverse team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend to sharpen your approach and responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Contracts and Compliance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in contracts and compliance, and show how your skills align with our values and the work we do at the Church of England.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, use clear and concise language in your application. Demonstrate your drafting skills by ensuring your documents are well-structured and free from errors.
Be Authentic: We want to get to know the real you! Share your motivations for applying and how your background aligns with our mission. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be reviewed promptly, and you'll be one step closer to joining our supportive team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Brush up on your knowledge of contracts and compliance law. Be prepared to discuss specific legal principles and how they apply to the Church of England's operations. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the law, but that you can apply it in a practical context.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to explain how you would advise stakeholders on legal issues, so think about examples where you've done this successfully in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
The Legal Office values collaboration, so be ready to share experiences where you’ve worked effectively in a team. Highlight how you’ve contributed to group projects or supported colleagues, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the Church of England’s mission and values. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around compassion, respect, and integrity. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly fits their culture.
