Senior Legal Counsel

Salary scale: £54,519-£75,000 per annum

What is the purpose of this job?

Supporting RDG in ensuring that it enters into legally and commercially sound agreements with suppliers to the rail industry and supporting the numerous functions within RDG with their legal and commercial issues.

As a senior lawyer, you will be expected to operate with limited supervision in supporting RDG undertake all of its operations by acting as a critical friend and legal advisor.

What can I expect to do in this job?

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but things you can expect to be involved with include:

• Working with the Procurement Team on contracts, from initial invitation to tender, to contract conclusion, for a variety of goods and services such as consultancy agreements, IT related agreements, technology agreements, marketing and advertising agreements.
• Advising the Procurement Team regarding project risks and onerous terms in proposed contracts.
• Supporting RDG, in conjunction with the Procurement Team, on its compliance with the Utilities Contract Regulations 2016 and the incoming Procurement Act 2023.
• Giving advice on IP matters, including trade marks and copyright.
• Providing accurate legal advice to colleagues across the organisation on a variety of legal issues, including general and IT specific commercial contracts, data protection (including GDPR and PECR), advertising and marketing law, and consumer protection legislation.
• Supporting compliance with internal corporate governance procedures for the approval of contracts for signature.
• Ensuring compliance with laws and guidelines related to the business and anticipating changes in laws and codes, maintaining an awareness of proposed legislation and regulations.
• Supporting RDG in light of broader industry changes.
• Supporting the organisation on a wide range of legal matters such as contracts, regulatory compliance, litigation, intellectual property, and corporate governance
• Supporting the legal team in delivery of company secretarial functions for RDG entities.
• Conducting legal research.
• Ad hoc training of RDG colleagues to raise legal awareness and understanding throughout the organisation.

Who will my key contacts be?

Internally, this will include the executive and senior leadership groups along with employees at all levels.

Externally, our key member stakeholders, other legal professionals and suppliers.

• The postholder will require strong interpersonal skills in order that they can motivate, negotiate, influence and build strong relationships with all levels of staff within the organisation.
• · The ability to communicate effectively and clearly with those who understand the law and those who do not.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrating your ability to assess and understand complex legal issues and provide strategic advice.

• Qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, with significant post qualification experience.
• Experience in public procurement regulations.
• Experience in commercial contracts, including disputes arising from such.
• Experience in data protection and freedom of information legislation.

• Experience of company secretarial functions and/or governance (or a willingness to learn).

• 30 days annual leave
• 75% reduction on UK rail travel (for work and leisure) - more below
• Reduced international rail travel
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Contributory defined benefit pension scheme
• Give As You Earn scheme
• Subsidised private medical care
• Healthcare cash plan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme scheme
• Flexible working
• 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (subject to eligibility)
• Personal Development Days
• Employees may sell up to a maximum of five days’ leave. Employees can buy up to a maximum of five days’ leave. These figures will be pro rata for part-time employees