In July 2022, Birmingham will host the XXII Commonwealth Games, the largest multi-sport event to be held in England in 10 years. Approximately 6,500 athletes and team officials from 72 nations and territories across the Commonwealth will come together in a 12-day celebration of sport and culture. Events will take place across Birmingham and the West Midlands, entertaining more than one million ticketed spectators and reaching a global broadcast audience of more than one billion.

This role requires a talented legal professional, working as part of the Legal team, to assist in the delivery of a full range of commercial, in particular procurement, law support to all areas of the OC in order to minimise exposure and contractual risk and to achieve compliance with legislation and regulations.  It will involve the provision of pro-active and pragmatic advice on all legal matters for the organisation and staging of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in a fast-paced environment.  This is a key role within the Organising Committee.

Responsibilities

Assisting with the provision of high quality legal support to staff at all levels on all aspects of commercial law in connection with the OC including in relation to the procurement of high value, complex contracts and advising on other legal issues including disputes, legislation, compliance, governance and related matters at various internal and external forums as required by the CLO, Senior Legal Counsel and other OC staff.

• Drafting and negotiating a high volume of different types of commercial and construction contracts and advising on key contract terms, technology issues, contract management and contract compliance to ensure that the OC is not exposed to undue risk and that consistent business standards are adhered to.
• Advising on legal aspects of OC tender opportunities and advising on public procurement law and its application in conjunction with the procurement team and finance department.
• Providing proactive advice on high value, complex procurements from procurement plan to successful award of contracts.
• Assisting with the provision of advice on resolution of procurement and contractual claims and disputes (not including conduct of litigation or arbitration), using external lawyers where appropriate.
• Provide legal training in coordination with the OC’s official legal services provider to OC staff on the impact of legal policies, procedures, legislation and contractual arrangements.
• Liaising with Games delivery partners including Birmingham City Council, UK Government, Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Commonwealth Games England, West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Police and any relevant bodies to implement collaboration.
• Drafting and review of OC policies and advising the OC on the application of those policies.
• Developing relationships internally with staff in all key areas of the business such as Marketing, Human Resources, Procurement/Commercial, Finance, and Games Family Services and externally with Games delivery partners, the OC’s official legal services provider and other relevant third parties.
• Management of other projects through to successful completion as identified by the Senior Legal Counsel.

The responsibilities of this role will evolve during the lifespan of the Organising Committee and it is likely that the role profile will evolve with the changing needs of the Games.

Required Experience

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England or Wales with current practicing certificate
• Proven experience in providing quality legal advice, drafting, negotiating and managing contracts
• Experience of advising on a procurement from procurement plan to successful award of contract
• Experience of:
• working for an organisation which is; or
• representing clients who are subject to public procurement law

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, the ability to influence others and manage relationships and to identify and adapt communications to suit the relevant audience.
• Ability to balance legal risk and exposure with a practical and pragmatic mindset. To be flexible in solving legal queries and issues whilst protecting the company against exposure.
• Ability to apply a common-sense approach to work which takes account of non-legal objectives of the wider business.
• Accurate legal drafting skills with attention to detail and resolution based legal thinking.

Desirable

• Demonstrable track record of working within a multidisciplinary team on a wide range of commercial law issues
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges facing the delivery of a major sport event subject to public procurement law and the role of the in-house function as a key contributor to successful delivery

 Salary - £45,000 - £55,000 plus benefits

This position is subject to a Basic criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

Birmingham 2022 is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities.

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

If you wish for your application to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme, please submit a completed form with your application, which can be found on the Birmingham 2022 jobs site under the current vacancies drop down.

To apply for this role please follow the link and complete the application attaching a CV, covering letter and disability confident/ reasonable adjustments form (if required).

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

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