At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality legal advice on complex commercial and governance matters.
- Company: Join RICS, a global leader in land, property, and construction standards.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous leave, and mental health support.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive and inclusive team culture.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions that shape the future of the built environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with substantial experience in complex legal matters.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
RICS is a global professional body that sets and upholds standards across land, property, construction and infrastructure. Our work shapes how people experience the built environment, from the homes we live in to the infrastructure that supports economies and communities. Acting in the public interest is fundamental to everything we do and is supported by strong governance, regulation and professional standards. The inhouse Legal team provides robust, proportionate legal advice across RICS’ UK and international operations, supporting decision making at the highest levels of the organisation.
Role Purpose and Key Responsibilities
As Senior Legal Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting RICS’ Head of Legal and General Counsel in delivering high quality, commercially grounded legal advice. You will advise across a broad and complex portfolio, including commercial matters, governance and organisational risk, frequently spanning multiple jurisdictions. The role has visibility at senior level and contributes directly to decisions carrying organisational, financial and reputational impact. Within a small, high trust Legal team, you will be expected to lead matters within your remit and exercise sound judgement with minimal oversight.
Why this role
This role is intended for a senior inhouse solicitor whose judgement is relied upon on matters carrying real organisational, financial and reputational impact. You will:
- Be trusted as a senior decision maker where issues are complex or ambiguous
- Advise senior and Executive stakeholders on matters where your judgement materially influences outcomes
- Work across nuanced, high judgement legal issues rather than narrow specialisms
- Have genuine ownership, not advisory distance, over matters that matter
- Join a collegiate Legal team with high expectations and strong professional credibility
Key responsibilities
- Provide authoritative, solution focused inhouse legal advice across commercial, regulatory, governance and risk related matters
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders and Executive leaders
- Lead the negotiation and drafting of complex or strategically significant commercial and technology agreements
- Work with Procurement, Digital and other teams to ensure decisions are legally robust and commercially proportionate
- Oversee complex intellectual property and brand related matters
- Provide senior legal input on corporate governance and entity management
- Partner with the Privacy team on data protection and GDPR related matters
- Instruct and manage external legal advisers in the UK and internationally
- Lead legal workstreams on projects, disputes and corporate initiatives
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of Legal team ways of working
- Mentor and support colleagues within the Legal function
This role follows a hybrid working pattern, with three days per week based in the office.
About You
You will be a qualified solicitor, with substantial post qualification experience enabling you to operate independently and with authority in a senior inhouse role. You bring experience leading complex commercial matters, advising senior and Executive stakeholders, and making judgement based decisions where legal, commercial and reputational considerations must be balanced. You are relied upon to handle ambiguity and to provide clear advice where there is no straightforward precedent. You will:
- Be trusted to advise on matters carrying real organisational, financial and reputational impact
- Exercise sound judgement with minimal supervision or work checking
- Provide credible challenge and clear recommendations to senior stakeholders
- Balance pragmatism with high professional standards
- Contribute as a senior peer within a small, high‑trust Legal team
Experience operating in a global or multi jurisdictional context is highly valued.
Rewards and Benefits
RICS offers a benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security and work life balance, including:
- Private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
- 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays and an office closure over Christmas
- Enhanced family leave policies
- Access to mental health support and staff-led community groups
Equal Opportunity Employer
RICS is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including those with non-traditional career paths. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
How to Apply
Click Apply to complete our short application form. You will be asked to upload your CV and provide a brief statement outlining why this role is of interest and how your experience aligns with what we are looking for. First stage interviews will be held online on 5 June, with second stage interviews taking place in person on 11 June.
Senior Legal Counsel employer: RICS
RICS is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and wellbeing of its employees, offering a supportive work culture within a high-trust Legal team. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, RICS provides comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance, enhanced family leave policies, and mental health support, all while fostering an environment where senior legal professionals can thrive and make impactful decisions. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance in a role that carries significant organisational influence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might have insights into RICS. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of RICS and its impact on the built environment. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for the role and how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Legal Counsel, you’ll need to showcase your ability to handle complex agreements. Role-play scenarios with a friend or mentor to build confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at RICS.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in providing legal advice across commercial and governance matters, and don’t forget to showcase your ability to handle complex issues with minimal oversight.
Craft a Compelling Statement:In your brief statement, clearly express why this role excites you. Connect your past experiences to the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially your ability to advise senior stakeholders and lead negotiations.
Showcase Your Judgement Skills:Since this role requires sound judgement on complex matters, provide examples in your application that demonstrate how you've successfully navigated ambiguity and made impactful decisions in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at RICS.
How to prepare for a job interview at RICS
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key legal principles relevant to the role, especially around commercial matters, governance, and risk. Familiarise yourself with RICS's mission and how their legal team supports it, so you can speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Judgement Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to make sound decisions in complex situations. Think of instances where your judgement had a significant impact on outcomes, especially in multi-jurisdictional contexts, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you've successfully advised senior stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you balance legal advice with commercial realities, as this is crucial for the Senior Legal Counsel role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the challenges the legal team faces or how they measure success in their advisory role, which will demonstrate your proactive mindset and genuine interest in contributing to RICS.
