Senior In-House Lawyer - Commercial

UK Research and Innovation; Swindon; Híbrido; GBP 59.000 - 65.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

30 days annual leave

Employee discounts and offers

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working options

Descripción de la vacante

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is seeking an experienced Senior In-house Lawyer (Commercial/Advisory) to deliver pragmatic legal advice within the UKRI Legal Team. The role focuses on commercial and contract law, grant funding and research contracts, with potential line management responsibilities.

The post can be based in Swindon or Harwell, with flexible working and some travel to other UKRI locations as needed. The organisation offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Formación

• Must hold a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent.
• Qualified to practise as Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales.
• Substantial post‑qualification experience in commercial and contract law.
• Essential: qualify to practise in England & Wales and provide evidence at interview.

Responsabilidades

• Provide pragmatic, business‑focused legal advice on commercial and contract law matters.
• Advise on grant funding and research contracts; support governance and statutory framework.
• Potential line management responsibility for a small team of legal professionals.

Conocimientos

Technical legal expertise

Commercial awareness

Written communication

Verbal communication

Proactive attitude

Attention to detail

Educación

2:1 honours degree

Graduate Diploma in Law / CPE

Legal Practice Course (LPC)

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

Descripción del empleo

Salary: £58,589 - £65,100 per annum (depending on experience)

Band: UKRI Band F

Hours: Full-time (flexible working available)

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire/Harwell, Didcot, Oxon - Hybrid working available (Tier 4, requirement to be in the office as and when need emerges)

Closing Date: 22nd November 2026

Interview Date: 30th November or 1st or 2nd December 2026

Please note that we may close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore recommend submitting your application at the earliest opportunity.

About UKRI

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is an independent, non-departmental public body, bringing together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England. UKRI works to maximise value from the UK Government’s investment in research and innovation, and its budget was £8bn in 2022.

UKRI’s mission is to lead the overall strategic direction of research and innovation funding in the UK, pushing the frontiers of human knowledge, to deliver benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research and business-led innovation. UKRI’s Legal Team is seeking to appoint a Senior In-house Lawyer (Commercial/Advisory).

This post can be based in Swindon or Harwell. Periodic travel to other UKRI locations where the Legal Team and key clients are based may also be required according to business needs. UKRI operates flexible working policies which include the opportunity to work part of the week from home.

About the UKRI Legal team

The UKRI Legal Team delivers high quality, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of issues that support the effective operation and statutory functions of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The Team’s work is wide ranging and continues to grow in both scope and complexity. Our current commercial portfolio includes large scale projects and complex contracts, public procurement, intellectual property, property matters, company law, subsidy control, grant funding and research contracts. Lawyers working in UKRI Legal are expected to take a flexible and proactive approach, quickly developing expertise in new or unfamiliar legal areas as UKRI’s remit evolves in response to organisational and policy developments.

Role and Responsibilities:

You will be an experienced lawyer with significant experience advising complex commercial matters and transactions, able to operate effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body. You will work with minimal supervision and deliver clear, pragmatic, and legally robust advice across a broad range of commercial matters, with particular emphasis on commercial and contract law, grant funding and research contracts. The role may include Line Management responsibility for a small team of legal professionals, supporting their development and fostering continuous professional growth.

In particular you will have:

• Strong technical legal expertise and commercial awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to influence and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A proactive, ‘can do’ approach, with the ability to manage and prioritise a varied and demanding workload.
• Strong attention to detail with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Academic Qualifications

A minimum of a 2:1 honour degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or demonstrable equivalent academic or professional achievement, this may include relevant experience and successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) (S).

Professional Qualifications

Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (S).

Substantial experience gained following qualification in commercial and contract law. (S).

This is an essential requirement. Applicants who are not qualified to practise in England & Wales, admitted to the Roll of Solicitors, and able to demonstrate substantial post‑qualification experience in commercial and contract law will not be considered.

At interview, candidates must demonstrate and provide evidence of:

• Extensive experience of providing pragmatic, business‑focused legal advice on commercial and contract law matters, including grant funding and research contracts. Experience of advising on one or more of subsidy control, public procurement or public law would be advantageous (S&I).
• Experience of managing, leading, developing and supporting high performing legal professionals (I).
• Strong legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk (I).
• The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly (I).
• Strong analytical skills, and the ability to deliver timely, proportionate, and considered advice based on sound legal research (I).
• The ability to build strong relationships with clients and champion the work of the Legal Team (I).
• An understanding of the role of lawyers within public sector organisations and the ability to apply the governance and statutory framework within which UKRI operates. (I).

Candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide specific examples to demonstrate how they meet the above criteria.

All shortlisted candidates must bring valid identification and original documentation confirming their right to work in the UK, or their eligibility to obtain it, to the interview.

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.