Job Description Summary
We're hiring a General Counsel for our Dowty & Electrical Power UK based in Brockworth, Gloucestershire.
In this role, you will provide strategic legal support across commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters and act as a trusted partner to the UK Senior Leadership Team and Boards (including Cheltenham Electrical Power).
You will lead complex OEM/aftermarket contracts, bids, and program execution; manage UK compliance (ABAC, competition, data privacy), trade controls (UK/EU/US; ITAR/EAR), and export/security alignment; and advise on FAA/EASA type certification and product regulatory strategy.
You will also manage disputes and litigation, company secretarial duties, and governance for UK entities, partnering closely with Contracts, Sourcing, Engineering (IP/data rights), Supply Chain, and Quality. The role drives process standardisation and legal productivity using GE's Lean operating model - FLIGHT DECK, and participates in Leader Standard Work and WOR/MOR routines.
Job Description
Commercial & Contracts
Lead negotiation and drafting of complex OEM/aftermarket agreements (LTAs, framework agreements, purchase/sales Ts&Cs, licensing, distribution, collaboration, NDAs)
Support bids, proposals, and programme execution; align risk positions to policy and business strategy
Provide sound advice and counsel on transactions, including risk allocation, liability, and warranties
Leadership & Business Partnership
Function as a business partner, applying sound business and legal judgment to relationships and issues requiring legal, reputational, or compliance attention
Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team; participate in Leader Standard Work and support matters brought to WOR and MOR
Invest as a strategic partner in the success of the business, utilizing FLIGHT DECK and seeking opportunities to add value and enable success for overall Dowty metrics
Act as a strategic partner to the Cheltenham Electrical Power business SLT and the Board of Directors
Serve as a key advisor and partner to the UK Contracts and Sourcing Teams
Product, Regulatory & Compliance
Review and monitor regulatory changes; advise on the full range of legal issues affecting Dowty on FAA and EASA type certification
Partner with the business to develop, implement, and execute a product regulatory strategy and process
Own the UK compliance framework (anti-bribery/anti-corruption, competition law, trade controls/sanctions, data privacy); deliver training and monitoring; lead internal investigations and remediation
Provide leadership on risk mitigation in a fast-moving, evolving industry; proactively implement risk mitigation processes
Trade Controls & Security
Advise on UK/EU/US export controls and sanctions (UK OGELs/OGAs, EU dual-use, ITAR/EAR) and technology transfer
Partner with Export Control and Security to ensure licensing and program compliance
Disputes & Litigation
Provide legal support to the business on disputes and similar issues; manage pre-litigation, mediation, and litigation strategies
Direct external counsel and manage reserves as needed; manage referral of matters to the in‑house legal team and, where appropriate, outside counsel
Corporate Governance
Serve as Company Secretary for UK entities; manage boards, resolutions, delegations of authority, and statutory registers
Ensure Companies Act compliance and high‑quality record keeping
IP & Technology
Partner with Engineering on IP strategy, licensing, confidentiality, and data rights; support digital/cybersecurity terms and data processing
Supply Chain & Quality
Structure supplier agreements, remedies, and risk‑sharing; support supplier recovery and dispute resolution
Advise on quality escapes, field actions, and regulatory interfaces with appropriate contractual protections
Ways of Working & Productivity
Develop processes that drive legal productivity, simplicity, and standardisation
Lead and develop a small UK legal team; manage external counsel for value and efficiency
Qualifications
Qualified UK Solicitor/Lawyer
Significant professional experience, preferably in the Aerospace/Defense industry or other highly regulated sector
Demonstrated success leading complex commercial negotiations and advising senior executives
Strong knowledge of UK company law, competition law, anti‑bribery/anti‑corruption, and trade controls (UK/EU/US)
Experience with government contracting, export controls (ITAR/EAR), and cross‑border transactions is desirable
Litigation/dispute management experience
Familiarity with IP, UK GDPR/data protection, and digital/cyber terms
Skills
Commercial pragmatism, excellent judgment, and integrity
Strong communication and stakeholder management; ability to simplify complex issues
Drafting and negotiation excellence; effective in matrixed, global environments
Team leadership and development; efficient use of external counsel
Ability to prioritise and deliver under pressure
Preferred
Aerospace sector experience (OEMs, primes, Tier 1)
Knowledge of UK MOD/NATO contracting frameworks
Experience with M&A, JV structuring, and post‑deal integration
Flexible Working
GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work‑life balance.
Total Reward
At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.
As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs;
Pension
Bonus
Life Assurance
Car Allowance
Group income protection
Private medical cover
Security Clearance
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS
Right to Work
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
#LI-BE1
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: No
#J-18808-Ljbffr