Legal Counsel

Clinical Partners; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 77,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare cash plan

Life assurance 4x salary

Employee assistance programme

Birthday day off

Flexible working hours

Gym and fitness discounts

Job summary

Clinical Partners is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal support across the organisation, including NHS and private sectors. You will advise on contracts, governance, risk and data protection while supporting growth and compliance.

This hybrid, part-time role requires strong commercial acumen and excellent stakeholder management to enable strategic objectives and high standards of patient care.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
• Typically 2+ years PQE.
• Strong drafting, review and negotiation of commercial contracts.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts.
• Provide advice on commercial, regulatory, governance and compliance matters.
• Support tenders, procurement and strategic initiatives.
• Advise on data protection and information governance.
• Assist with corporate governance matters and training.
• Set up and manage contract templates and processes.
• Monitor regulatory developments and provide guidance.

Skills

Legal drafting

Commercial awareness

Regulatory compliance

Data protection

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Risk assessment

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales)

Tools

Document management systems

Job description

Requirements

Clinical Partners is one of the UK's leading providers of mental health services. We are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care while operating to the highest standards of legal, regulatory and ethical compliance. We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Legal Counsel to join our team and provide strategic legal support across Clinical Partners, Oxford AHD & Autism Centre and other Group Companies. This is a unique opportunity to strengthen the legal function within a growing healthcare organisation operating across both NHS and private sectors. As Legal Counsel, you will act as trusted support to the General Counsel, provide pragmatic legal guidance throughout the business that supports business growth, protects organisational interests and ensures compliance within a highly regulated environment. Working closely with colleagues across Operations, Clinical Services, Business Development, Governance, People and Finance, you will provide expert advice on a wide range of legal, commercial and regulatory matters. From negotiating complex contracts and supporting tender activity, to advising on governance, risk management, data protection and organisational growth initiatives, you will play a critical role in enabling the business to achieve its strategic objectives while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and patient care. We are looking for a confident and collaborative legal professional who combines exceptional technical expertise with strong commercial awareness. You will be comfortable navigating complex legal issues, translating legal requirements into practical business solutions and building trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Equally adept at strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, you will provide balanced, risk-based advice that supports innovation, growth and operational excellence across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts and agreements.
• Provide legal advice on commercial, regulatory, governance and compliance matters across the business.
• Support NHS and private sector tenders, procurement activities and strategic business initiatives.
• Advise stakeholders on legal risk, identifying practical and commercially focused solutions.
• Advise on data protection, including contractual provisions, AI, information governance and broader regulatory compliance activities.
• Advise on complaints and disputes, including research and drafting correspondence.
• Assist with corporate governance matters, policies, legal documentation and training.
• Contribute to organisational growth projects, partnerships and new service developments.
• Set up and manage contract database, templates and legal processes.
• Upskill and develop expertise as necessary on relevant laws, monitor legal and regulatory developments, providing guidance and recommendations.

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales, with a current practicing certificate.
• Post-qualification experience (typically 2+ years PQE).
• String commercial contract drafting, review and negotiation experience.
• Ability to identify legal and commercial risks and propose proportionate, practical solutions.
• Experience advising on data protection and information governance.
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, commercial advise.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to interpret legislation, regulations and guidance and contractual provisions accurately and apply them to practical solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Good attention to detail and ability to spot inconsistencies, omissions and potential risks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain legal issues to non-lawyers in straightforward language.
• Excellent IT and document management skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding that Legal seeks to support, rather than obstruct, business objectives.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience with regulated organisations.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, acquisitions, mergers or joint ventures.
• Knowledge of mental health, neurodevelopmental or wider healthcare sectors.
• Experience supporting with litigation management and dispute resolution.
• Familiarity with corporate governance frameworks and Board-level governance process.

Location & Travel:

This is a hybrid role, offered on a part-time basis of 3-4 days per week.

The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office 1-2 days per week, with flexibility to work remotely for the remainder of their contracted hours.

To ensure appropriate business and team coverage, the required working days will include:

• Wednesdays and Fridays (to provide business-critical cover).
• One/two additional overlap day(s) - Monday and/or Tuesday.

Occasional additional travel may be required for Board meetings, stakeholder engagement, project work and other business-critical activities.

This role is ideally suited to an experienced legal professional seeking a strategic, commercially focused position with a flexible hybrid working arrangement.

Remuneration And Benefits

As well as meaningful work that genuinely makes a difference to people's lives, you'll benefit from a comprehensive reward and wellbeing package:

• £90,000 FTE annual salary (pro-rated based on part time working)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Holiday entitlement increases with service up to 28 days
• Birthday day off every year
• Flexible working opportunities from day one
• Opportunities to participate in charitable events
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
• Salary exchange pension arrangement
• One-off welfare grants for colleagues experiencing financial hardship
• Financial planning support through Lloyd & Co Financial Planning
• Healthcare cash plan for dental, optical and other everyday healthcare costs
• Virtual GP access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential support whenever you need it
• Specsavers eye care vouchers
• Money off prescriptions
• Specialist workplace coaching and support for neurodiverse colleagues
• Life assurance of 4x salary
• Funeral support
• Occupational sick pay of up to 8 weeks full pay and 8 weeks half pay (subject to service)
• Retail discounts across hundreds of brands
• Travel, fashion, electronics, home and garden savings
• Gym and fitness discounts

Equal Opportunities Employer

At Clinical Partners we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background, race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and strive to provide a supportive and respectful environment for all employees.

DBS Check Requirement

Please note that this position requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our commitment to safeguarding and ensuring the safety of our clients and staff. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check before commencing employment.