Senior Commercial Lawyer

Transport for Greater Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave starting at 28 days

Free travel on buses

Local Government pension scheme

Enhanced family-friendly leave policies

Job summary

A public transport authority in Manchester is seeking a Senior Commercial Lawyer to join their in-house Legal team. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in public procurement and commercial contract law, with strong drafting and advisory skills. This role offers the opportunity to manage a diverse caseload and influence procurement strategies while enjoying generous leave, free travel, and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ post-qualification experience advising on public procurement and commercial contract law.
• Experience in highly regulated environments and public sector statutory regimes.
• Strong drafting and advisory skills in complex contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead your own caseload and manage internal and external relationships.
• Provide legal services in line with policy and minimize risk.
• Advise on procurement strategy, contracts, and disputes.

Skills

Public procurement law experience

Commercial contract law

Strong drafting skills

Advisory skills

Team-working ethos

Education

Qualified Solicitor or FILEX

Job description

Overview

Join Transport for Greater Manchester as a Senior Commercial Lawyer. You will be part of a large, friendly and supportive in-house Legal team who cover a number of different areas of expertise. You will provide legal services to the organisation in accordance with policy and organisational requirements, ensuring that the risk and exposure of the organisation is minimised. You will have full autonomy to lead your own caseload and manage relationships with internal clients and any external support required.

Role context

As a Senior lawyer, you will have a background of working on significant multi‑disciplinary projects and will need a strong team-working ethos and effective communication skills. You will need a wealth of procurement law experience with a background in procuring and advising under both PCR and UCR, as well as the Procurement Act 2023, commenting on procurement strategy and risks, drafting complex contracts, advising on contract disputes: demonstrating your expertise, knowledge and skills and applying these to complex and high value public procurements and supplier contracts. An understanding of the Bus Franchising statutory regime would be beneficial but not essential, although you will be expected to quickly learn; advising on this will be a significant part of the role.

What you’ll bring

• A qualified Solicitor or FILEX with a minimum of 7 years’ post-qualification experience advising on public procurement and commercial contract law with a strong commercial/corporate background working at a senior level; someone who is familiar with working in a team and who can bring their legal expertise and knowledge to not only support internal clients but to develop others in the team as well.
• Experience in highly regulated environments and understanding of public sector statutory regimes and governance.
• Strong drafting and advisory skills in complex contracts and procurement strategy.

What we can offer

What we can offer you:

• Generous annual leave starting at 28 days (plus bank holidays), increasing with service of year and with options to buy more.
• Free travel on buses across Greater Manchester, plus rail or Metrolink travel to and from work.
• Local Government pension scheme with life cover of 3x salary and options to boost contributions.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave policies with flexible and hybrid working and a special leave policy to support a range of unexpected events (qualification criteria may apply).
• Wellbeing support, Personal and Career Development, Flexible working and financial support and more on our website.

About TfGM

Transport for Greater Manchester oversees public transport in Greater Manchester, supporting the Mayor and Greater Manchester Combined Authority as the Transport Authority to deliver and improve transport services, facilities and information to make travel easier for everyone.