Locations: Birmingham, Bristol or Guildford
Full time role, 37 hours per week
Part time/Job share considered
As a Senior Lawyer within the Commercial Legal Team at National Highways you will advise on all aspects of commercial contract and public procurement law to enable National Highways’ spending on the strategic road network, to build new road capacity, improve the quality of the existing network, encourage innovation and efficiency and enhance safety, the environment and sustainability.
This is a diverse role and provides an excellent opportunity to apply your expert legal knowledge and skills to NEC based contracts, infrastructure projects, IT and technology contracts, services contracts, public procurement, dispute resolution, intellectual property, asset protection, research and grant funding, collaborative working and a broad range of commercial legal queries.
This is a hybrid position (40% office based) and can be based from either our Guildford, Bristol or Birmingham offices and will include some travel to other offices to attend meetings.
Why choose the National Highways Legal Team?
At National Highways, our legal work serves a clear public purpose: connecting the country and supporting the economy, communities and public safety. We work across government to deliver some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects. As a supportive, inclusive in-house team, we offer freedom from chargeable and billing targets, a genuinely positive work-life balance, and the chance to progress your career through diverse, challenging and high‑profile legal work.
In the role, you will:
* Provide specialist legal advice, advising on all aspects of commercial contract and procurement law, including in relation to the procurement of high value, complex NEC engineering and construction contracts and IT and technology contracts.
* Build and effectively manage relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders.
* Obtain and manage external legal support as required, holding external lawyers to account.
* Provide direction and legal support/supervision to more junior members of the team on an ad hoc basis.
About You.
* Qualified Solicitor or Barrister authorised to practice in the UK.
* In‑depth understanding of and expertise in the work undertaken by the Commercial Legal Team (as set out above) and ability to provide effective written and oral advice on the same.
* Extensive experience of influencing and working effectively with stakeholders and colleagues at a range of levels including those at a senior level, providing check and challenge where appropriate.
* Extensive experience of leading complex legal matters working autonomously with minimal supervision.
* Extensive experience of working proactively and independently to identify “client” needs and to find solutions to complex legal and business issues within the required timescales.
* Ability to lead by example, by showing commitment to the role, assuming responsibility, and actively contributing to and supporting others within the Commercial Legal Team and the wider Legal Directorate.
About Us.
Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.
Legal Services encompasses the National Highways Legal Team, Information Rights Team, Investigations Team and the Company Secretariat. The Legal Team offer strategic legal advice on commercial, construction, planning, operational, highways, employment, regulatory, and property matters, ensuring legal compliance and minimising exposure to risk.
External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.
We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Our benefits package
* Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance‑related bonus
* Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
* Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
* Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
* Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
* Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self‑care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
* A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low‑carbon travel
* Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on‑job experience
And we are
* Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
* Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
* Community friendly – offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year
If You Are Successful…
* Right to work check
* 3 year employment history references
* DBS criminal record check
* Social media and adverse journalism check
* Driving licence check (if applicable)
* Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
* Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)
And finally
We reserve the right to close before the advertisement expires.
#J-18808-Ljbffr