Commercial Solicitor (Public Procurement)

BCL Legal; North East; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

BCL Legal is recruiting a Commercial Solicitor (Public Procurement) in Newcastle. The role focuses on procurement and health sector matters for contracting authorities and bidders, with significant client responsibility and travel.

You'll advise on PCR 2015/Procurement Act 2023, draft procurement documents, and help develop innovative contracting models. The team values collaboration, strong communication, and a proactive approach to business development.

Qualifications

• Proven procurement experience, ideally in health or public sector.
• Qualified solicitor with strong communication and research skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines and work across teams.

Responsibilities

• Advising contracting authorities on procurement matters under PCR 2015/Procurement Act 2023 and PSR.
• Providing clear advice to bidders throughout the procurement process.
• Drafting procurement documentation.
• Advising on potential challenges to procurement processes with the disputes team.
• Drafting terms and conditions including framework agreements, call-off terms, bespoke contracts, licensing arrangements and data protection documentation.
• Working on innovative contracting models including joint ventures, alliance agreements and collaboration arrangements.
• Delivering training on all aspects of the procurement regime for bidders and contracting authorities.
• Supporting the wider team on commercial and regulatory work for NHS and independent sector clients.
• Supporting business development strategies of the team and wider business group and presenting to clients and intermediaries.
• Working with the wider office team to promote the firm’s profile, including networking events and CSR initiatives.
• Developing relationships with clients and intermediaries.

Skills

Procurement experience

Public sector experience

Solicitor qualification

Communication skills

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Job description

COMMERCIAL SOLICITOR (PUBLIC PROCUREMENT) - NEWCASTLE

Ranked Tier 1 in the Legal 500 for Health work across the North of England,this expert national team advises NHS bodies and independent sector organisations providing services in the health sector, including health tech and life sciences, on a broad range of contractual, procurement, governance, regulatory and public law matters. As well as NHS Integrated Care Boards, NHS Trusts and primary care providers, the team advises and represents key national organisations including NHS England and the Care Quality Commission, private providers, and health tech developers and adopters.

The team is looking to recruit an ambitious Associate or Senior Associate to work on a wide range of health procurement and commercial matters for both health sector clients and bidders. Within this role, you will be given plenty of client responsibility and exposure (including travel) whilst being part of a supportive and collaborative team.

Responsibilities include:

• Advising a range of contracting authorities, including public and independent sector health clients, on procurement matters under both the PCR 2015/Procurement Act 2023 and the Provider Selection Regime.
• Providing clear advice and guidance to bidders throughout all stages of the procurement process.
• Drafting and advising on procurement documentation.
• Advising on potential challenges to procurement processes (working with the commercial dispute resolution team on litigated matters).
• Drafting contractual terms and conditions including framework agreements, call‑off terms, bespoke contracts, licensing arrangements and data protection documentation.
• Working on innovative contracting models including joint ventures, alliance agreements and collaboration arrangements.
• Delivering training on all aspects of the procurement regime for bidders and contracting authorities.
• Supporting the wider team on commercial and regulatory work on a broad range of day‑to‑day matters for NHS and independent sector clients.
• Supporting business development strategies of the team and wider business group and presenting to clients and intermediaries.
• Working with the wider office team to proactively promote and raise the firm’s profile, including attending networking events and participating in corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Developing your own relationships with clients and intermediaries.

The successful candidate will be:

• Qualified Solicitor with proven experience in procurement, ideally within the health or public sector, although other relevant experience will be considered.
• Public Sector, In-house or private practice experience.
• Excellent communication, organisation and research skills as well as excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrable ability to manage competing demands and achieve strict client deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and develop relationships across the wider business.
• Willingness to take responsibility and ownership of client work, with appropriate supervision.
• Keenness to develop client relationships.
• Willingness to play a proactive part in business development and profile‑raising activities.
• Positive attitude and interest in exploring and learning about new and unfamiliar legal areas.
• Ability to work flexibly and proactively.

For more information on this Commercial Public Procurement Solicitor role, please contact Rozie Hunter at BCL Legal.