Commercial Legal Support (G7) - Central Government

Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

On behalf of The Home Office, we are looking for a Commercial Legal Support (G7) - Central Government (Inside IR35)

11 Month contract

Hybrid - 2 days per week in Central London & the rest WFH.

The first duty of Government is to protect the public. Since 1782, the Home Office has led work to keep the country safe from those who seek to do it harm; in doing so, we make a vital contribution to HM Government's plan for a stronger, fairer, outward-looking and united Britain.

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

As a Commercial Legal Support - Central Government, your main responsibilities will be to:

1. Provide effective contract management for legal services, oversee governance approvals for legal matters, coordinate procurement activities at key decision points, and develop strategic communications plans.
2. Ensure robust financial oversight, produce clear and proactive communication strategies, and offer ad hoc commercial advice to projects when needed. A solid grasp of legal processes, particularly regarding contentious matters or complex regulatory frameworks, is essential.
3. Exhibit strong commercial acumen, a firm understanding of legal contexts, advanced financial literacy (including high-level Excel skills), and excel in both written and verbal communication. You will also demonstrate initiative in identifying potential issues, formulating plans, and proposing solutions to mitigate risks.
4. Oversee the daily management of legal services contracts, ensuring legal services providers meet quality and regulatory standards.
5. Anticipate and initiate procurement processes for legal services; plan timelines, secure approvals, and manage end-to-end documentation.
6. Identify and mitigate any potential contractual or performance risks, coordinating solutions with relevant stakeholders to maintain service continuity.
7. Guide the governance of legal service procurements and key legal matters, ensuring alignment with public sector regulations and departmental milestones.
8. Prepare, refine, and maintain governance-related paperwork for approval boards, ministerial briefings, or senior-level decisions.
9. Produce clear, data-driven summaries for senior management, highlighting key trends and offering well-reasoned guidance on future budget allocations.
10. Work with the communications team to develop proactive and reactive communication strategies that address legal and commercial developments.
11. Draft and continually refine official lines to take, adapting messages for audiences including internal teams, legal advisors, and external partners.
12. Provide projects with commercial insights and initial legal context, focusing on risk management, policy compliance, and public sector regulations.
13. Apply a solid understanding of legal processes, contract management best practice and procurement compliance to inform strategy and decision-making.

Essential:

1. Contract & Supplier Management: Proven background in managing professional or legal services contracts, including vendor performance oversight and swift resolution of complex issues.
2. Legal Acumen: Working knowledge of legal processes and procedures.
3. Governance Expertise: Familiarity with public sector governance, especially around legal procurement, approvals, and key-stage decision points.
4. Financial & Analytical Skills: Proficiency in creating and managing Excel spreadsheets, conducting budget forecasting, and interpreting financial data.
5. Communications Planning: Demonstrated ability to craft robust communications strategies (both proactive and reactive), collaborating with communications teams to ensure clarity of messaging.
6. Commercial Insight: Capacity to provide sound commercial advice when required, aligned with public sector policies and regulatory constraints.
7. Written Communication Proficiency: Skilled at producing accurate, well-structured ministerial submissions, governance documents, and other formal briefs.
8. Take ownership of complex tasks, anticipate emerging challenges, and independently develop strategic responses that mitigate risks and drive results.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the Home Office guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

The Home Office guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different."