G6 Senior Commercial Lawyer: Manchester

Reference: 4842602Job ID: 5423387Posted: 2026-11-04Closing date: 2027-02-03Location: ManchesterSalary: 77,584 (per annum)Job type: PermanentWorking pattern: Full time / Flexible workingIndustry: Legal / In-house LegalCompany: HaysConsultant: Libby SmithHays office: Manchester — 5th Floor, City Tower, Piccadilly PlazaPhone: 01612287770Email: libby.smith@hays.comYour new companyAt 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 roleGrade 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 contractspublic procurementpublic law aspects of commercial work/commercial decision makinginformation technologyintellectual propertyinformation law (including GDPR) where it arises in a contractual/commercial contextconstructiongrants and Subsidies ControlCommercial 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 succeedGood commercial and contract law experience (including contract drafting) AND/OR good public procurement experience is essentialexcellent powers of analysis of legal commercial problems together with a sound commercial legal judgementan ability to lead and develop a mini-team, setting strategy and directionan ability to support Deputy Directors and contribute to wider senior leadership of CLGan ability to negotiate effectivelythe ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordinglysound analysis, using secure legal research to produce timely and fit for purpose advicea constructive approach to solving problems along with reliable legal judgement and the ability to provide legally sound, risk-based adviceExperienceEssential - 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/orpublic procurement law, including advising on regulated procurements in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or the Procurement Act 2023.Technical Legal SkillsEssential - must be demonstrated at application and interview:commercial and contract law experience and/or public procurement law experienceable to draft and advise on commercial documentsable to analyse legal commercial problemsa constructive approach to solving problemsable to provide legally sound, risk-based advicesound commercial legal judgementBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:LeadershipDeveloping Self and OthersSeeing the Bigger PictureMaking Effective DecisionsManaging a Quality ServiceCommunicating and InfluencingQualificationsApplicants 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 returnAlongside your salary of 77,584 (regional), Government Legal Department contributes 22,476 (regional), towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%What you need to do now 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. #4842602 - Libby Smith