Senior Legal Counsel - 3m FTC, 2 days per week

Rail Delivery Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Wellbeing initiatives

Learning and development opportunities

Pension scheme – employer contribution

Job summary

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to support the Legal and Procurement Division, delivering BAU legal work while transitioning major projects. You will provide concise, strategic legal advice across procurement, contracts and data protection, engaging with government bodies and external partners.

The role emphasizes working with senior stakeholders and maintaining RDG’s high standards in a fast-moving environment, with hybrid working options and a comprehensive package.

Qualifications

• Qualified to practice law in England and Wales and able to work with senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to give strategic advice.
• Excellent communication, both with legal and non-legal colleagues.
• Sound judgement, resilience and ability to operate in a fast-moving environment.
• Ability to handle a range of queries within an in-house function.

Responsibilities

• Provide efficient legal advice and support across the contract lifecycle from procurement to drafting, execution, variation and termination.
• Give accurate legal guidance on commercial, IT contracts, data protection, competition law, advertising and consumer protection.
• Deliver high-quality support with limited supervision within the RDG Legal team.

Job description

Closing date: 13 November 2026

Salary scale: £61,023 to £82,379 per annum

Help Shape the Future of Britain's Railway

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) partners with Britain's train operators to put customers at the heart of everything we do, delivering essential services and dedicated experts who keep the nation's railway running efficiently.

From journey information, reservations and Railcards to improving performance, safety and accessibility, we drive the services and people that keep the railway moving. Anyone who has travelled by train or booked a journey for friends or family, will have used our services. We are integral to the running of the railway and play a crucial part at every stage of the customer journey –making sure we are delivering a better railway for all our customers, now and in the future.

As we embark on a new era for rail, we are now looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join us. If you are motivated by meaningful work and want to play a role in the future of Britain's railway, we'd love to hear from you!

As part of the Legal and Procurement Division, your role will predominantly focus on supporting the BAU legal work of the Legal Team while it focuses more heavily on delivery of transition work.

You will play an important role in ensuring that RDG Legal delivery remains consistent.

As in house counsel you will be expected to operate with very limited supervision.

What can I expect to do in this job?

In your specific role As Senior Legal Counsel:

• Providing;
• i. efficient advice and support along the contract life cycle from procurement through to contract drafting, execution, variation and termination, ii. accurate legal advice to colleagues across the organisation on a variety of legal issues including general and IT specific commercial contracts, intellectual property rights, data protection (including UK GDPR and PECR), competition law, advertising and marketing law, Equality Act queries, and consumer protection legislation, and iii. additional legal support as required

Who will my key contacts be?

Internally, this will include all the other members of the Legal and Procurement Division and other RDG colleagues who submit requests for legal support while reporting to identified Senior Legal Counsel.

You may also work with other stakeholders, such as external legal professionals, suppliers or colleagues at DfT, DfTO and Network Rail.

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

The postholder will have:

• the right to practice law in England and Wales.
• the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders, including government departments, regulators and commercial partners.
• the ability to communicate effectively and clearly with those who understand the law and those who do not.
• proven analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrating your ability to assess and understand complex legal issues and provide strategic advice.
• Sound judgement, resilience and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, high-profile environment.
• An ability to turn their hand to a multitude of queries, as required in an in-house legal function.

Essential

• Qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, with good post qualification experience.
• Experience in complex commercial arrangements/contracts, (including related disputes), ideally with some experience on technology contracts.
• Experience of working on major projects, public sector reform or large scale commercial arrangements
• Familiarity with Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023)

Desirable

• Experience of advising clients within the rail / transport industry(either public or private sector)
• Experience in data protection and freedom of information legislation.
• Competition law knowledge would be particularly desirable.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a job.

It's an opportunity to be part of an organisation that puts customers at the heart of everything we do, bringing the industry together to keep Britain connected. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, contribute to projects with national impact and help shape the future of rail travel for generations to come.

At Rail Delivery Group, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, respected and able to be themselves. We are continually working to build an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. Some of the ways we support our people include:

• Employee networks
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Inclusive hiring practices
• Wellbeing initiatives
• Learning and development opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we will work with you to provide the support you need.

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% discount on rail travel (for work and leisure), plus international rail discounts
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Two Personal Development Days are granted to employees annually
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for commuting costs
• Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
• Pension scheme – up to 8.64% employer contribution
• Subsidised Private Medical Insurance (Vitality PPP) and Health Cash Plan (Healthshield)
• Access to our flexible benefits portal - a central hub for accessing retail discounts, shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment perks
• Flexible working arrangements available