Commercial Lawyer

Commercial Lawyer Ref.3471

Department: Specialist Roles

Location(s): London, Manchester

Salary: London: £75,861 Manchester: £69,611

Flexible Working: This is a full-time role, however applications for flexible working (e.g. compressed hours or part-time at a minimum of 25 hours per week) or a job-share are welcome. Due to the classification and nature of the work, a proportion of the job needs to be performed in the office, however occasional home working is possible.

Approximately three days per week in the office will be required.

About Us

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats.

Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The Role

We are currently looking for qualified lawyers to join our Commercial, Regulatory, and Intellectual Property team.

Part of GCHQ’s wider Legal Directorate, this team comprises of lawyers and Patent Attorneys based in Cheltenham, London and Manchester. As a Commercial Lawyer, you’ll provide legal support to colleagues across the business – with a particular focus on technology and Intellectual Property (IP), procurement and data acquisition.

This includes major procurements and projects, contract drafting, licensing, commercial policy, data protection, IP matters and dispute resolution and avoidance. The work can be fast-paced and is often at the cutting edge of developments in law and technology.

Within the role you’ll be expected to:

1. Manage a varied workload of commercial projects and advice – taking on more complex matters dependent on experience – sometimes at pace and against competing deadlines.
2. Work closely with customers to deliver considered, clearly explained legal advice.
3. Work effectively and inclusively, whether you’re collaborating with the legal team, a project team or a broader team.
4. Proactively develop your expertise and knowledge through a variety of commercial work and training.

The role can be based in London or Manchester. Occasional travel will be required to effectively advise colleagues across our different sites. This will always accommodate business need as well as work-life balance. Infrequent travel overseas may be required.

About You

To be successful, you’ll need to be qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister/advocate in England and Wales.

You should also have at least two years’ PQE in one or more of the following areas:

1. Procurement law, including advising on major Government programmes
2. Commercial and contract law
3. Data protection law
4. Commercial litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution
5. Intellectual property law and licensing

You’ll have excellent powers of analysis, use of evidence, and appreciation of legal risk, as well as the ability to analyse legal commercial problems and provide legally sound, risk-based advice.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £75,861 in London or, £69,611 in Manchester. Plus other benefits including:

1. 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
2. Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
3. Interest-free season ticket loan
4. Excellent pension scheme
5. Cycle to work scheme
6. Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
7. Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities

At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.