Deputy Head of Legal
- Recruiter
- UK Atomic Energy Authority
- Location
- Culham, Abingdon (GB)
- Salary
- £65,264 to £69,627 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
- Posted
- 22 Dec 2020
- Closes
- 19 Jan 2021
- Vacancy Type
- Solicitors, In-House
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
- Practice Areas
- Public Sector/Local Authority
- PQE
- 4-6 Years
- Experience Level
- Mid Level, Senior Level
Deputy Head of Legal
- Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
- Full time
- Department: Corporate Affairs
- Salary: £65,264 to £69,627 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
- Confirmed Grade: Level 6*
Company Description
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in strategically contributing to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.
Who are we looking for?
This is an excellent opportunity for a Deputy Head of Legal to offer advice to the board and the senior management team on all legal matters in implementing operational, managerial and financial strategies at UKAEA. You will have qualified as a solicitor or barrister and will have demonstrable experience and knowledge of contract, intellectual property, public procurement and corporate governance law.
A familiarity with providing legal advice on R&D collaborations would be highly advantageous and you must have proven experience in a senior position as a legal adviser in solicitors’ private practice, industry and/or in the public sector. A perfect opportunity to join a small yet influential area, the Legal Department sits at the centre of all UKAEA's major programmes involving over GBP 200m investment including major R&D collaborations.
What will you be responsible for?
- Provide accurate and timely counsel to executives and managers in a variety of legal topics (e.g. contractual / commercial and intellectual property, procurement, commercial property, corporate finance and EU related matters)
- Advise on internal governance policies and regularly monitor compliance
- Assist with liaison with government and external bodies relating to the formal structure and functions of UKAEA and other issues such as State Aid, Export Control
- Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations
- Communicate and negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.), creating relations of trust
- Draft and solidify agreements, contracts and other legal documents to ensure the company’s full legal rights
- Appoint and work with specialist external lawyers on behalf of UKAEA
Essential skills, experience and competence required
- Solicitor or Barrister qualified to practice at least in England and Wales
- Proven experience in a senior position as a legal adviser in solicitors’ private practice, industry and/or in the public sector
- Familiarity with providing legal advice on public sector issues (e.g. procurement regulations, state aid)
- Familiarity with providing legal advice on R&D collaborations
- Excellent knowledge of contract, intellectual property, public procurement and corporate governance law
- Demonstrable negotiation skills with good business judgement
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of contract, intellectual property and corporate governance law and practice
- Ability to grasp quickly and accurately new and complex concepts and to cover other areas of law, including data protection, export control and some HR support
Desirable skills, experience and competence
- Public sector experience either as an in-house or external adviser
- Working with NEC3/4 standard contract formats
What we offer
- A competitive salary
- A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors
- An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbeing initiatives
- Flexible working options including family friendly policies
- Emergency leave (paid)
- 30.5 days’ annual leave (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) increased with length of service
- Wide range of career development opportunities (e.g. professional registration, internal promotions, coaching and mentoring programme)
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
- Annual corporate bonus scheme
- Relocation allowance (if eligible)
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from Black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities, (visible and hidden) and women. Our dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner, with the support of our Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion in the organisation to help make our organisation an employer of choice. We are easily accessible by car and are a 10 minute walk from Culham Railway Station.
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.
Please note, all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions (convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or will confirm that there are no such convictions.