At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage teams to deliver top-notch commercial legal services for the government.
- Company: Join the Government Legal Department, a key player in public law.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on inclusion and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national matters while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified lawyer with strong commercial or public procurement experience.
The predicted salary is between 79079 - 79079 £ per year.
Your new company
At the Government Legal Department they have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by their exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where everyone can all thrive and fulfil their potential. GLD’s work touches almost every aspect of public life. They are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.
Your new role
Grade 6 Senior Commercial Lawyers play a key leadership role, providing direction to teams and supporting Deputy Directors in the delivery of commercial legal services to central government departments, executive agencies and Arm’s Length Bodies. If successful, you will be expected to operate as a highly experienced, independent and practical commercial lawyer, with the technical knowledge and gravitas to gain the confidence of senior clients, ministers, stakeholders and colleagues. You will lead, manage and develop other lawyers within your team and provide strong professional leadership, helping to build capability across the organisation in line with corporate objectives.
You will develop strategies and be responsible for delivering high-quality legal advice on a range of complex and challenging projects, often to demanding deadlines. You will need to be comfortable working at pace and exercising sound judgement in relation to matters of national importance, drawing on strong legal and strategic analysis, pragmatism and pro-activity.
Commercial lawyers in CLG provide advice across a broad range of commercial legal matters, which may include:
- commercial contracts
- public procurement
- public law aspects of commercial work/commercial decision making
- information technology
- intellectual property
- information law (including GDPR) where it arises in a contractual/commercial context
- construction
- grants and Subsidies Control
Commercial lawyers also work closely with colleagues across GLD and, where appropriate, external law firms and counsel, providing commercial legal advice to support government departments with their commercial activities.
What you'll need to succeed
- Good commercial and contract law experience (including contract drafting) AND/OR good public procurement experience is essential
- Excellent powers of analysis of legal commercial problems together with a sound commercial legal judgement
- An ability to lead and develop a mini-team, setting strategy and direction
- An ability to support Deputy Directors and contribute to wider senior leadership of GLD
- An ability to negotiate effectively
- The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly
- Sound analysis, using secure legal research to produce timely and fit for purpose advice
- A constructive approach to solving problems along with reliable legal judgement and the ability to provide legally sound, risk-based advice
Experience
Essential - must be demonstrated at application:
You will be an established and experienced commercial OR public procurement lawyer, able to provide professional leadership and operate confidently and independently on complex commercial OR public procurement matters. You will have a sound understanding of:
- commercial law gained through advising clients across a range of matters, including drafting commercial contracts, advising on contract interpretation and contract management, problem solving and providing strategic commercial advice; and/or
- public procurement law, including advising on regulated procurements in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or the Procurement Act 2023.
Technical Legal Skills
Essential - must be demonstrated at application and interview:
- Commercial and contract law experience and/or public procurement law experience
- Able to draft and advise on commercial documents
- Able to analyse legal commercial problems
- A constructive approach to solving problems
- Able to provide legally sound, risk-based advice
- Sound commercial legal judgement
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Developing Self and Others
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Qualifications
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2.1 degree. GLD will consider applicants who do not have a 2.1 degree but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided. Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales however, we also accept applications from overseas qualified candidates. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx.
Please refer to the microsite for full details around the qualifications required to apply for this position.
What you'll get in return
Alongside your salary of 79,079 (London), Government Legal Department contributes 22,909 (London), towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Learning and development tailored to your role. An environment with flexible working options. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
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 on your career.
G6 Senior Commercial Lawyer: London employer: Hays
Join a well-established ecological consultancy in Kent that prioritises work-life balance and professional development. With a collaborative team culture and a commitment to delivering high-quality ecological advice, this company offers meaningful career progression opportunities for ecologists. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and the chance to work on diverse projects across the South East and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land G6 Senior Commercial Lawyer: London
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
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We think you need these skills to ace G6 Senior Commercial Lawyer: London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Hays, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Hays and the specific role of G6 Senior Commercial Lawyer: London. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Hays’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Hays.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Hays.
