This senior in-house commercial lawyer post sits in the UKRI Legal Team, supporting the body that funds research and innovation across the UK. The work centres on commercial and contract advice, grant funding and research contracts, with exposure to procurement, intellectual property and subsidy control. Minimal supervision is expected, with possible line management of a small legal team and part-week home working. Applicants must be qualified to practise in England and Wales with substantial post-qualification commercial experience.
What the job involves
- Advise on complex commercial matters and transactions within the statutory framework of a non-departmental public body
- Give pragmatic, legally robust advice on commercial and contract law, with emphasis on grant funding and research contracts
- Work across a broad range of commercial matters with minimal supervision
- Provide timely, proportionate advice grounded in sound legal research
- Line manage a small team of legal professionals and support their development, where required
- Build relationships with clients and champion the work of the Legal Team
- Quickly develop expertise in new or unfamiliar legal areas as UKRI's remit evolves
- Travel periodically to other UKRI locations where the Legal Team and key clients are based
What’s required
Qualifications
- 2:1 honours degree or equivalent, or demonstrable equivalent academic or professional achievement, which may include relevant experience and GDL/CPE, LPC or BPTC
Registration & licences
- Qualified to practise as a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive in England and Wales
Experience
- Substantial post-qualification experience in commercial and contract law
- Extensive experience giving pragmatic, business-focused advice on commercial and contract law, including grant funding and research contracts
- Experience of managing, leading, developing and supporting high-performing legal professionals
Skills & knowledge
- Strong legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk
- Strategic and creative thinking, seeing legal issues in their wider context
- Strong analytical skills and sound legal research
- Building strong client relationships and championing the Legal Team
- Understanding of the role of lawyers in public sector organisations and the governance and statutory framework that applies to UKRI
- Excellent written and verbal communication, able to influence and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders
Checks & eligibility
- Valid identification and original documents confirming right to work in the UK, or eligibility to obtain it, to bring to interview
Other
- Proactive, 'can do' approach
- Managing and prioritising a varied and demanding workload
- Strong attention to detail with a proven record of meeting deadlines
- Working with minimal supervision
Nice to have
- Experience of advising on subsidy control, public procurement or public law
What’s offered
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 30 days' annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days (full-time equivalent)
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure
- Employee assistance programme offering confidential help and advice
- Flexible working options, including part of the week from home
- Support for learning and professional development
- Wellbeing initiatives
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
