Senior Lawyer (Regulatory and Compliance) in Edinburgh

Impact Leonardo’s UK Corporate Legal Affairs (CLA) team provides support to ensure Leonardo UK operates effectively and efficiently. The CLA team supports all UK business units and divisions, handling any legal or corporate task that is not managed by the commercial lawyers.

The Corporate Legal Affairs team currently needs an experienced (4+ PQE) solicitor or barrister. In this role you will play a pivotal part in ensuring continuous compliance with the highest legal, ethical, and regulatory standards, both in the UK and overseas, particularly with regard to corporate criminal offences, health and safety, and product compliance. You will advise cross‑functional teams, engage directly with senior UK stakeholders, liaise with HQ specialist functions in Italy as appropriate, and contribute to projects that impact national security and cutting‑edge technology.

Location – South West site (Yeovil or Bristol) preferred, with occasional ad hoc travel to London and other UK sites and overseas. Flexible working is offered as the norm.

Responsibilities

• Working with and advising the legal teams on regulatory matters, including corporate criminal offences, health and safety, and product compliance.
• Providing legal support for investigations into regulatory and criminal matters across the business.
• Supporting the business in all aspects of product safety and health and safety matters.
• Advising the company, including senior leaders and directors, on regulatory risk, corporate and director liability exposure, and statutory duties arising from health and safety and regulatory obligations.
• Providing commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice and services to internal stakeholders.
• Advising on dealing with regulators and government bodies, including stipulations of particular regulators and meeting industry regulatory requirements.
• Actively supporting the company’s leadership in preparing and submitting regulatory reports, filings, and disclosures as required by relevant authorities.
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation to demonstrate compliance efforts.
• Working collaboratively as a recognised legal expert, integrated in a multi‑disciplinary team or standing committee, liaising with and advising senior management.
• Monitoring legislative changes and relevant case law, and communicating bespoke and practical advice to colleagues within the Legal, Corporate Legal Affairs and Compliance teams and across the business.
• Leading and assisting with wider business and ad‑hoc legal activities as required.
• Supporting the broader Corporate Legal Affairs and Compliance teams on regulatory matters, including health and safety, criminal law and investigations.
• Developing consistent and credible strategies to assess and manage relevant regulatory legal risks, and working collaboratively across stakeholder networks in Leonardo UK to implement them.
• Interpreting and analysing current and proposed laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• English or Scots qualified lawyer with 4+ years of post‑qualification experience (PQE).
• Strong background in regulatory and compliance law, with proven experience in implementing statutory requirements, investigations, enforcement action and regulatory defence, and a good understanding of corporate liability, directors’ duties and organisational accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex legal and regulatory issues, assess risks, and provide practical solutions aligned with business goals.
• Strong drive to support the business and add value to the services the Corporate Legal Affairs team delivers.
• Experience working with or for a regulator (advantageous but not essential).
• Experience with UK security regulations (advantageous but not essential).
• Experience with UK flight safety regulations (advantageous but not essential).
• Experience with GDPR and data protection (advantageous but not essential).
• Familiarity with defence, aviation, manufacturing or technology sectors is advantageous but not essential, though intellectual curiosity in these areas is essential.
• We welcome candidates from private practice, the public sector, or in‑house.
• This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the areas above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role requires pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional personnel security controls, such as National Security Vetting (NSV), may apply. This could include meeting the eligibility requirements for the Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Benefits

• Access to an award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• Eligibility for the bonus scheme for employees at management level and below.
• Free access to over 4,000 online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Referral programme offering a financial reward.
• Flexible benefits up to £500 annually, including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: hybrid hours with the option for part‑time if suitable for this role.

Primary Location GB – Bristol – Coldharbour Lane

Additional Locations GB – Basildon, GB – Edinburgh, GB – London, GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300, GB – Yeovil – Lysander Rd

Contract Type Permanent

Hybrid Working Hybrid