Commercial Lawyer

Job Description

Your new roleThere has never been a more exciting time to work for National Highways. The Governments second Road Investment Strategy commits £27.4 billion of spending in our motorways and major A Roads over 2020 to 2025.We are responsible for delivering some of the largest infrastructure projects in England, and you will play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of the Road Investment Strategy, encountering diverse and exciting legal challenges along the way.As a Commercial Lawyer you will advise on all aspects of contracts and procurement to enable this spending: to build new road capacity, improve the quality of the existing network, encourage innovation and efficiency, and enhance safety, the environmentand 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 funding, collaborative working and a range of commercial legal queries. Although you will be working in the team that advises the business on commercial and procurement law you may also have the opportunityto get involved across a full range of areas of the business.This role can be based in our Birmingham or Guildford office. Some travel will be required to our other national offices.What youll be leading on

• Providing advice to the business on all aspects of commercial/contracts law, including in relation to the procurement of high value, complex IT and technology contracts and engineering and construction contracts.
• Legal advice on all aspects of the procurement cycle, including procurement documents, stakeholder engagement, supplier selection, evaluation, negotiation, contract award and execution.
• Drafting documents and advising in relation to services contracts, funding agreements, asset protection agreements, intellectual property and corporate law.
• Advising on the resolution of contractual claims and disputes, including litigation, arbitration or adjudication, using external lawyers where appropriate.
• Contributing to the preparation and drafting of reports and briefings for senior management to support the decision-making process.
• Managing the provision of external legal support including managing and monitoring cost and managing quality.
• Building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

To be successful

• Qualified solicitor or barrister authorised to practice in the UK.
• Experience of one or more of the following specialisms: commercial law and contract drafting; public procurement law; construction, engineering or infrastructure projects; litigation and dispute resolution.
• Demonstrable track-record of working with minimal supervision.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships, communicate clearly and explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand.
• Ability to proactively manage complex projects, identifying legal and commercial risks and finding solutions.
• The skill and motivation to support junior lawyers, trainees, paralegals and apprentices in the team.
• Desirable - Previous experience of working on technology contracts.

A bit about usThe Digital Services Directorate is a growing and vibrant team and there has never been a better time to join us as we go through our transformation programme. We are helping to transform the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data andtechnology services from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient way. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real time information to our customers, integration with intelligentvehicle and transport systems as they develop, to improve journey safety and reliability.Why you should join usAt National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. Were proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to dobetter and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers.So if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it - then youll be a great fit for our organisation.