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- Tasks: Provide legal advice on diverse issues and draft commercial contracts.
- Company: Join Historic Environment Scotland, a leader in preserving our heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working on interesting legal challenges.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified solicitor with experience in commercial contracts.
The predicted salary is between 62428 - 62428 £ per year.
Starting salary: £62428
Contract type: Fixed term
Grade: 6
Location: Longmore House, Edinburgh (with hybrid working)
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held in person at Longmore House on Week Commencing 11 May 2026
We are looking for a solicitor to join our growing Legal team, reporting to our Head of Legal. This is a new role within a team of three solicitors. If you have commercial contracts experience, enjoy exploring a broad range of interesting legal issues, have a good eye for detail, and a commitment to public service, we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland:
- Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
- 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
- Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
- Support for further education and personal development
- Study leave for work related courses
- Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
- Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
- Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties
Key Responsibilities of this role:
- The primary duty of the Solicitor is to provide legal advice to the organisation on a broad range of legal issues. Specific duties will include:
- Providing legal advice and support to all departments within the organisation in the performance of their functions and service delivery, to assist with the promotion, delivery and integration of the organisation’s key objectives. This may involve advice in areas of law as diverse as general commercial contracts, intellectual property, disputes, data protection, public law, procurement, personal injury, and/or health & safety.
- Drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts, including sensitive and high-value contracts and contracts with a focus on intellectual property issues.
- Co-ordinating the instruction of, and working with, the organisation’s external legal advisors for specialist advice.
- Participating in the promotion of the legal function and the legal process within the organisation, and the implementation of appropriate processes, controls and business improvements.
- Supporting colleagues across the organisation in planning and budgeting for future legal input.
- Supporting the Head of Legal in delivering an efficient and effective legal function for the organisation.
- Assisting the Head of Legal in the continuous improvement initiatives of the Legal team; drafting key legal policies and procedures for the organisation; training staff across the organisation in key legal matters and/or providing key legal updates.
- Assisting the Head of Legal and other members of the team to enable the Legal team to deliver services efficiently and successfully.
Key requirements of the role:
- Qualification as a solicitor with current full and unrestricted practising certificate from the Law Society of Scotland
- Membership of the Law Society of Scotland
- LLB (or equivalent)
- Diploma in Legal Practice (or equivalent)
- Demonstrable post-qualification experience, either in an in-house role or in private practice with a focus on commercial contracts.
- Demonstrable experience in one or more of the following areas: Intellectual property law matters, particularly copyright and trade marks; Dispute resolution; Public law, including procurement law; Data protection and freedom of information law; and Personal injury law, and/or health & safety.
- Excellent commercial contract drafting and negotiation skills, and ability to advise colleagues on complex legal issues using accessible language
- Willingness to become involved in matters spanning a wide range of legal specialisms
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
- Demonstrable commercial acumen
- Strong ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
- Networking and communication skills, ability to communicate appropriately and clearly
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload in line with tight deadlines and work effectively under pressure
- Proficiency in the use of all typical office IT systems including Outlook, Word, Teams and document management systems such as SharePoint.
We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.
We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.
Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.
To submit your application online, please read our "How to Apply" followed by "Apply Now" button to begin your application.
Solicitor employer: Historic Environment Scotland
Contact Detail:
Historic Environment Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Historic Environment Scotland and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Mock interviews can help you feel more confident and prepared. Focus on articulating your experience with commercial contracts and how it aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the company culture and even share tips on what the interviewers are looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Historic Environment Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and requirements. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to address how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Don’t just list your qualifications; share real-life examples that demonstrate your skills and experience. We want to see your personality come through!
Be Specific and Concise: When you’re writing your application, be specific about your experiences and keep it concise. We appreciate clarity and focus, so stick to the point and avoid fluff. Remember, you have a word limit, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website: Once you’ve polished your application, head over to our website to submit it. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Historic Environment Scotland
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law mentioned in the job description, like commercial contracts and data protection. Be ready to discuss your experience in these areas and how it relates to the role.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
When they ask about your qualifications, have specific examples ready that demonstrate how you've met the essential and desirable criteria. Use situations from your work, education, or even volunteer experiences to showcase your skills.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since you'll need to explain complex legal issues in accessible language, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable with this.
✨Show Your Commitment to Public Service
This role is all about supporting public service objectives, so be prepared to discuss why you’re passionate about this area. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact.