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- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on governance and regulation in the public sector.
- Company: Join a leading public sector regulatory body focused on energy, utilities, and water.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your legal expertise in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in regulatory or public law.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and ongoing legal education.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description: Senior Legal Advisor
Location: Belfast (Hybrid)
Department: Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Overview
MCS are delighted to partner with a public sector regulatory body who are seeking a skilled and forward-thinking Senior Legal Counsel to join their Legal & Regulatory Affairs team. This is a vital, high-impact role, providing expert legal advice across a wide range of matters tied to statutory obligations, governance, and regulation in the energy, utilities and water sectors. Reporting directly to the Head of Legal, the successful candidate will play a pivotal part in enabling regulatory compliance, managing legal risks, and supporting strategic decision-making within the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Advice & Risk Management
- Deliver prompt, clear and pragmatic legal advice to internal stakeholders across various directorates.
- Advise on statutory functions, regulatory enforcement, corporate governance, and administrative law.
- Offer support on licensing frameworks, dispute resolution, and litigation strategies.
- Interpret domestic and international legislation (including EU-related developments) and advise on operational implementation.
Strategic Legal Support
- Contribute to the formulation and execution of the organisation\’s legal strategy.
- Work with senior leadership, including the Chief Executive, to identify and mitigate emerging legal challenges.
- Oversee or assist in drafting and amending key regulatory documents, including licences and legal frameworks.
- Proactively assess legal risks and propose solutions that balance risk, compliance, and strategic objectives.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Liaise with external legal providers, government departments, and partner regulators.
- Support engagement with legal panels and manage outsourced legal work to ensure quality and cost-efficiency.
- Build collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders on complex regulatory matters.
Operational Support
- Support compliance and enforcement activities, including investigations and regulatory interventions.
- Conduct legal research and contribute to legal knowledge-sharing across teams.
- Monitor developments in relevant legal areas and update policies and processes accordingly.
- Provide mentoring and leadership within the legal team and wider department.
Essential Criteria
- Qualified solicitor or barrister entitled to practise in Northern Ireland (or equivalent jurisdiction).
- Demonstrated post-qualification experience in administrative, regulatory, or public law, ideally in a public sector, energy, utilities or similar regulatory environment.
- Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.
- Experience in advising at senior level and influencing strategic decisions.
- Ability to manage a varied and dynamic caseload under pressure.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly.
Desirable Attributes
- Knowledge of competition law and consumer protection frameworks.
- Experience in managing external legal counsel.
- Familiarity with governance frameworks in a public body or regulator.
- Experience leading or contributing to legal strategy and reform.
What\’s on Offer
- Competitive Salary
- Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) pension scheme.
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after two years), plus 12 public and privilege holidays.
- Hybrid model with a Belfast HQ base.
- Strong focus on professional growth and ongoing legal education.
How to Apply
To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Samuel Neilly, Legal Recruitment Specialist at MCS Group, on 02896935502
Not all agencies are the same…MCS Group is passionate about providing a first-class service to all our customers and has an independent review rating of 4.9 stars on Google.
Even if this position isn\’t right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs at www.mcsgroup.jobs.
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Senior Legal Advisor - Public Sector employer: MCS Group
Contact Detail:
MCS Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Advisor - Public Sector
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and regulations relevant to the public sector, particularly in energy, utilities, and water. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in regulatory bodies or similar sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the challenges they face, which can be valuable during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing legal risks and providing strategic advice. Think of specific examples where you've influenced decision-making at a senior level, as this will showcase your ability to contribute effectively to the organisation's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on recent developments in administrative and regulatory law, especially those affecting the public sector. Being able to reference current events or changes in legislation during your conversations will highlight your proactive approach and expertise.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Advisor - Public Sector
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a solicitor or barrister, along with your post-qualification experience in administrative, regulatory, or public law. Emphasise any relevant experience in the public sector or energy and utilities.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your skills align with the key responsibilities of the role. Mention your experience in providing legal advice, managing risks, and engaging with stakeholders, showcasing your ability to influence strategic decisions.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your legal drafting and analytical skills, as well as your ability to manage a dynamic caseload. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate these abilities effectively.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is essential for this role, provide examples of how you've explained complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders. This will illustrate your interpersonal skills and ability to engage with various audiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at MCS Group
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current regulatory frameworks in the energy, utilities, and water sectors. Be prepared to discuss recent developments and how they might impact the organisation's legal strategy.
✨Demonstrate Legal Expertise
Showcase your post-qualification experience in administrative and regulatory law. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex legal challenges and provided strategic advice to senior leadership.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in liaising with external legal providers and government departments. Emphasise your ability to build collaborative relationships and manage outsourced legal work effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that require you to assess legal risks and propose solutions. Think about how you would approach real-life scenarios related to compliance and enforcement activities within a public sector context.
