At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on procurement and commercial matters in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading public sector organisation making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and exposure to high-value projects.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a purpose-driven team.
- Why this job: Shape procurement outcomes while collaborating with senior leaders and teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement law and strong stakeholder management skills.
A leading public sector organisation is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join its team on an interim basis until the end of the year. Operating at the centre of a large-scale, nationally significant procurement function, the organisation plays a key role in delivering efficient and cost-effective supply chain solutions.
This role can be based from multiple offices across London, the Midlands and the North-West, 2 days per week in the office, with one face-to-face directorate meeting every 2 months (office location on a rotational basis). This is an excellent opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation, working within a collaborative and commercially focused environment where legal insight directly supports essential services.
You will join a high-performing legal function, partnering closely with senior leaders and commercial teams to provide expert, pragmatic legal advice across a broad range of procurement and commercial matters. This is a strategic and business-facing role, offering exposure to complex and high-value activities within a regulated framework.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing expert advice to senior stakeholders on procurement strategy, contract structures and contract management activities
- Leading on complex legal matters, delivering clear, commercially focused and risk-aware guidance
- Embedding legal considerations across commercial activities to support effective and compliant procurement processes
- Managing a varied caseload with minimal supervision
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand business priorities and enable efficient delivery of commercial objectives
This role offers a strong blend of advisory work and hands-on legal delivery, with significant stakeholder engagement.
Alongside strong experience in procurement law, ideally gained within a public sector or regulated commercial environment, you will also demonstrate:
- Experience advising on procurement regulations and commercial contracting matters
- Ability to lead on complex legal issues and provide clear, well-reasoned advice on high-impact decisions
- Confidence operating in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities effectively with minimal supervision
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data and insights to support legal advice
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships at a senior level
- A proactive, commercial and solution-focused approach
- Legal qualification is preferred but not essential; practical experience and demonstrable expertise will be prioritised.
Competitive rate of £42.21 per hour. Premium PAYE - £71,758 annual salary equivalent. Flexible working model, with 2 days per week in the office across multiple UK locations. Exposure to a nationally significant organisation operating in a complex, regulated environment. Opportunity to play a key role in shaping procurement and commercial outcomes. A collaborative and purpose-driven team environment.
If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Legal Business Partner in London employer: Hays Legal
Join a leading public sector organisation that prioritises purpose-driven work and offers a collaborative environment where your legal expertise will directly impact essential services. With flexible working arrangements across multiple UK locations, you will have the opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders on complex procurement matters while enjoying a competitive salary and a supportive team culture that fosters professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Business Partner in London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Hays Legal.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Hays Legal does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Hays Legal.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Hays Legal and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Legal
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Legal Business Partner role at Hays Legal. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Hays Legal.
