Brief Description
Who are we looking for? The role is a rare and exciting senior leadership position in Network Rail’s National Legal Team. We are looking for someone who is comfortable advising across different legal specialisms providing strategic business focused legal advice. You will enjoy having a varied caseload across different customers while also leading the Legal Counsels in your team and providing support to the General Counsel in setting the team’s strategic direction.
About the role (External)
About the team..
You will take on a pivotal role in managing the varied legal work undertaken by the National Legal Team. The National team supports Network Rail’s national functions such as Technical Authority, Route Services, Finance, HR for national functions, Procurement as well as supporting Regional colleagues on matters that affect Network Rail’s business as a whole. The team is small for the scale of advice it delivers to its customers and is highly valued for its strategic outlook and business focused advice. The team is passionate about delivering for passengers and freight operators and working collaboratively across the legal community within Network Rail.
What does the average day look like?
·You will have a varied case load of complex, high-value legal matters, which may be safety critical or reputationally sensitive such as material litigation, procurement, commercial contracts, reorganisations and regulatory enforcement action.
·You will deliver legal advice that is business-focussed and reduces the company’s exposure to risk while also achieving its commercial and business objectives.
·You will act as the primary legal contact for designated business functions, attending key business meetings to provide strategic legal guidance and collaborate with business customers to meet strategic aims, advise on policies and deliver training.
·You will assist the General Counsel in setting the National Team’s strategic direction.
·You will lead and develop the Legal Counsel in your team
·You will contribute to multi-functional projects
·You will manage and oversee external legal support.
Essential Criteria
·Qualified solicitor or barrister with post qualification experience, preferably gained all or most in house.
·Legal background to be gained across a number of legal areas whether commercial, corporate, competition, litigation, property or otherwise – but must have significant commercial or litigation experience.
·Some experience of managing other legal professionals or demonstrates the necessary attributes for doing so successfully.
·Ability to identify and minimise corporate legal risk and influence at senior management level.
·Strong communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing.
·Proactive and commercially minded.
·Works well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands