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 diverse team culture.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions that shape the future of the built environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with substantial experience in senior inhouse roles.
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 comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and enhanced family leave policies, RICS fosters a diverse and inclusive environment where senior legal professionals can thrive and make impactful decisions on complex legal matters. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility while maintaining strong collaboration among colleagues, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
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 their 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 seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the 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 relevant experience in commercial matters and governance, as well as any multi-jurisdictional work you've done. We want to see how your background aligns with what RICS is looking for!
Craft a Compelling Statement:When writing your brief statement, be clear about why this role excites you. Connect your past experiences to the responsibilities listed in the job description. Show us that you understand the impact of the role and how you can contribute to RICS' mission.
Showcase Your Judgement Skills:Since this role requires sound judgement, include examples in your application where you've made tough decisions or provided clear advice in complex situations. We want to see that you can handle ambiguity and still deliver results!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team 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. Familiarise yourself with RICS' governance, regulatory frameworks, and any recent changes in law that could impact the organisation. This will show that you're not just a qualified solicitor, but someone who understands the specific challenges and nuances of the role.
✨Showcase Your Judgement Skills
Prepare examples from your past experience where you've had to exercise sound judgement in complex situations. Be ready to discuss how you balanced legal, commercial, and reputational considerations. This is crucial for a role that requires making decisions with significant organisational impact.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach advising senior stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your communication style and how you build trust with executive leaders. Highlight any experiences where you've successfully navigated complex discussions or negotiations, as this will demonstrate your ability to act as a trusted adviser.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since you'll be part of a small, high-trust Legal team, it's important to convey your collaborative spirit. Share examples of how you've mentored colleagues or contributed to team improvements in previous roles. This will show that you're not just focused on individual success, but also on fostering a strong team dynamic.
