In house Solicitor (Operations) - 3+ PQE

Your New Role

Reporting to a Senior Solicitor, you will provide legal support across a wide range of operational and regulatory matters, helping the business deliver its objectives in a lawful, ethical and commercially sound manner. Working as part of a collaborative legal team, you will advise key stakeholders, manage disputes and support regulatory compliance across the organisation.
You'll be responsible for:

• Provide strategic legal advice and risk management support across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, ensuring legal risks are clearly identified, communicated and managed in a practical, commercially focused manner. Working closely with stakeholders across the organisation, you will support decision-making by delivering clear, user-friendly advice aligned to operational and strategic business objectives.
• Manage disputes, litigation and regulatory matters, including commercial, customer, property and enforcement-related issues. This will involve supporting investigations, regulatory enforcement activity and prosecutions where required, instructing and managing external counsel, preparing legal documentation and assisting with court applications and proceedings.
• Support the organisation's operational and infrastructure requirements, advising on statutory rights and powers relating to land, assets and operational activities. You will assist in protecting the organisation's interests through the preparation of legal cases, interpretation of legislation and the provision of pragmatic solutions to complex legal challenges.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and promote continuous improvement within the legal function. This includes horizon scanning for legislative and regulatory change, assessing business impact, maintaining legal precedents and knowledge resources, conducting legal research and supporting the development of guidance, policies and best practice documentation.
• Contribute to the development and effectiveness of the legal team, supporting legal matter management from instruction through to completion, ensuring deadlines and stakeholder expectations are met. You will also mentor junior team members, support capability development and help drive improvements in legal service delivery across the business.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with a current practising certificate
• Circa 3+ years' PQE, gained within private practice or an in-house legal team
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: litigation, contentious property, environmental law or regulatory/prosecution work
• Strong drafting, negotiation and legal research skills
• Ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice to a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Strong communication skills with a collaborative and solutions-focused approach
• Experience within a regulated industry would be advantageous, though not essential

What You'll Get in Return

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity linked to company performance
• Generous pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• 33 days annual leave including public holidays
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Funded training, coaching and professional development opportunities
• Health and wellbeing benefits, including cashback schemes and employee assistance programmes
• Additional benefits including cycle-to-work, car leasing and retail discounts
• The opportunity to work for a values-led organisation with a strong commitment to sustainability and community impact

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're looking to develop your career within a supportive in-house legal team and gain exposure to a varied mix of regulatory, litigation, property and operational matters, we'd love to hear from you.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. Please contact Leila Manson ( or (phone number removed)) at Hays Legal for a confidential discussion about this opportunity.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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