Senior Solicitor - Commercial

At Sellafield Ltd, we are harnessing our expertise; bringing together world‑class skills and innovative technology to solve complex nuclear, infrastructure, and engineering challenges. By joining Sellafield Ltd, you join an amazing team of people, from all walks of life, where you can thrive in a connected, considerate culture of innovation, collaboration, and community; and play a significant part in the UK’s sustainable nuclear future.

About the role

The Senior Solicitor delivers high‑quality, timely and accessible legal advice across a broad range of practice areas. The successful applicant will act as a trusted business partner to colleagues across Sellafield Ltd and the NDA group, providing clear, solution‑focused legal advice and guidance that supports effective decision making. As a Senior Solicitor you will be involved in managing complex, sensitive and high‑profile matters, lead on substantive procurements and other commercial projects and contribute to the delivery of the strategic objectives of both Sellafield Ltd and the wider NDA group. You will be working as part of a Commercial Law Team that sits within a broader legal directorate.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver high‑quality, timely and accessible legal advice on a broad range of commercial law matters, including contract interpretation, intellectual property, export controls, subsidy control regime to stakeholders across the business.
• Review and advise on a range of contract terms and conditions, including Sellafield Ltd’s standard contract terms, supplier terms and standard market forms such as NEC, to provide practical legal advice including on performance risk allocation, liability, and contract security.
• Advise on the legal issues associated with regulated procurement through the full contract lifecycle, including procurement strategies, navigating governance, reviewing procurement documentation, providing guidance and support to competitions and the evaluation and award stages and through contract management.
• Act as a trusted adviser by applying a broad range of commercial and strategic legal skills to assist the business to secure outcomes that are risk‑informed and aligned with business objectives.
• Undertake legal risk analysis and manage, primarily non‑contentious matters, to support effective risk management and develop appropriate mitigation strategies; escalating issues to the Head of Commercial Law and/or General Counsel where appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong internal and external relationships, engaging in proactive stakeholder management to enhance the effectiveness, credibility and influence of the legal function; through the provision of clear legislative updates, guidance and training to internal stakeholders to enhance their understanding of the relevant legal obligations and how these apply to their jobs.

Your Skills and Qualifications

• Qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales with at least seven years post‑qualification experience relevant to the role required.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in commercial law.
• Substantial experience of advising on regulated public procurement matters.
• Experience of working collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary teams, of building strong and effective working relationships and of communicating effectively, with differing audiences, in order to influence delivery of business objectives.
• An interest in developing an understanding of the Sellafield Ltd and the NDA group missions in order to ensure effective provision of legal advice.
• Desirable: content‑related experience relevant to the principal accountabilities of the role.
• Prior in‑house experience – from public or private sector.
• Experience of other legal practice areas to support the wider legal team (e.g., Regulatory Law, nuclear health and safety, transport, employment law, property and planning).
• Experience of mentoring or developing junior lawyers or team members.

Benefits

• Annual bonus up to 10 %–15 % based on company and personal performance.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with company match up to 13.5 % for a 7 % employee contribution.
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an extra 2.5 days per year.
• Ability to carry over 10 days annual leave each financial year.
• Paid sick leave.
• Family‑friendly policies.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Lifestyle benefits.
• Learning & development opportunities.
• Reward & recognition policies.
• Welfare & employee assistance programme.
• Free Aviva Health App and annual health check.
• MyDiscounts – employee savings & discounts.
• MyBenefits – a charity giving scheme.
• Many, many more benefits.

Legal and Security Requirements

Sellafield Ltd is a Level 3 Disability Confident Employer. Disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the vacancy may request a disability‑confident interview. Applicants must be subject to higher‑level National Security Vetting. Typically 5 or 10 years of continuous UK residency are required; nationality, former nationalities and place of birth may affect clearance level.