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- Tasks: Provide pragmatic legal advice on commercial issues and manage a varied workload.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leading public body with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days of annual leave, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic legal environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with experience in commercial law and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous learning and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hours: Full-time (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire or Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon (Hybrid working available)
Closing Date: 22nd February 2026
About the role
You will work within the UKRI legal team and report to the Deputy Head of Legal (Commercial), providing sound, pragmatic and business-focused legal advice on a wide range of commercial legal issues affecting the functions and operation of UKRI. The work of UKRI Legal is broad and increasing in variety and complexity and the team’s commercial work currently spans areas including large-scale projects and contracts, procurement, IP, property, company law, subsidy control and grant-giving. You will be expected to take a flexible approach and be able to quickly get up to speed with new and unfamiliar areas of law as the remit of UKRI Legal grows to meet the developing needs of the wider business.
Your responsibilities
- Professional and skilled lawyer with sound commercial experience and the ability to understand public sector policy drivers and work effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body
- Demonstrable technical aptitude
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to influence and work collaboratively
- 'Can-do' individual who is self-motivated and able to plan and manage a varied workload effectively
- Strong attention to detail with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Academic Qualifications: Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in your first degree (in any subject) or equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement where satisfactory evidence can be provided (e.g., via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Course (BPC), CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ)). Where an overseas degree qualification is held, this should be equivalent to a 2.1 degree. (S)
- Professional Qualifications: Qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales. (S)
- Experience: Candidates must be able to demonstrate strong experience of providing pragmatic, business-focused legal advice on commercial/contract law and grants and research contracts alongside at least two of the following areas (S): Property, Subsidy control, Public law, Public procurement, IP
- Reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk. (I)
- Ability to make difficult decisions and stand by them. (I)
- Ability to influence and work collaboratively. (I)
- 'Can-do' individual who is self-motivated and able to plan and manage a varied workload effectively. (I)
- Ability to produce timely and fit for purpose advice based on sound legal research. (I)
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
Benefits
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit this link or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Senior In-house Lawyer (Commercial) in Swindon employer: UK Research and Innovation
Contact Detail:
UK Research and Innovation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior In-house Lawyer (Commercial) in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with commercial law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UKRI's work and the specific areas of law they focus on. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a lawyer, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is crucial. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your pitch and responses.
✨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 UKRI.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior In-house Lawyer (Commercial) in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in commercial law and the specific areas mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we need!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. We love a well-structured application that reflects your ability to communicate effectively.
Demonstrate Your 'Can-Do' Attitude: We’re looking for someone who’s self-motivated and can manage a varied workload. Use your application to showcase examples where you’ve taken initiative and tackled challenges head-on.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Recruitment@ukri.org.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Research and Innovation
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on commercial law, procurement, and IP issues. Familiarise yourself with the specific legal challenges UKRI faces, as this will show your understanding of their needs and how you can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles where you've provided pragmatic legal advice. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to manage complex legal matters and demonstrate your strong judgement in decision-making.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, consider doing mock interviews to refine your verbal communication and ensure you can influence and collaborate effectively.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Be ready to discuss how you've adapted to new areas of law in the past. UKRI is looking for someone who can quickly get up to speed with unfamiliar topics, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in your workload or legal focus.
