Senior Legal Counsel - Maternity Cover

KPMG United Kingdom; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm in the UK is seeking a commercial lawyer with at least 7 years PQE to join its in-house legal team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This fully hybrid role involves advising on complex commercial contracts, engaging closely with senior management, and ensuring effective legal risk management in a high-performing environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong skills in contract law, be proactive, and bring excellent communication abilities to influence stakeholders effectively.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 7 years PQE gained in-house or from a leading law firm.
• Strong technical expertise in commercial and contract law, experience in drafting and negotiating.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial contracts.
• Advise senior stakeholders on a range of legal issues.
• Provide legal support in respect of corporate and strategic matters.

Skills

Strong technical expertise in commercial and contract law

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong negotiation skills

Commercial awareness

Effective risk management skills

Education

Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 7 years' PQE

Job description

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Job description

We are looking for a commercial lawyer with at least 7 years PQE to join KPMG's friendly in-house legal team on a 12-month fixed term contract. The role will be based in or near London and the successful applicant will work in a hybrid manner splitting their time between home and office.

KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP is the UK member of the global KPMG network of professional services firms. KPMG provides a wide range of services including consulting, advisory and audit services to clients in a variety of industries. Our Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides expert legal support to the business, helping to manage legal, regulatory and reputational risks. You'll join a respected team within OGC that provides strategic legal advice across the firm's operations, particularly in relation to commercial, procurement and transactional matters.

This position

We are seeking an experienced commercial lawyer to join our collaborative in-house legal team. The role involves advising senior stakeholders on a wide range of legal, risk and commercial issues, with a focus on drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts - particularly those related to procurement, outsourcing and technology.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, supporting key initiatives and ensuring that legal risk is managed effectively and pragmatically. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident, proactive legal professional looking to play a visible and influential role in a high-performing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate complex and high value commercial contracts, including those in relation to procurement, outsourcing and technology agreements.
• Advise senior stakeholders on a broad range of legal, commercial, contractual and risk-related issues.
• Provide legal support in respect of corporate and strategic matters.
• Deliver ad hoc day to day legal advice on commercial and regulatory issues.
• Create templates, guidance notes and playbooks to improve consistency and efficiency in contract negotiation and risk management.
• Support and provide advice to our offshore legal centre on escalated contract queries.

Qualifications and skills

• Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 7 years' PQE, gained in-house or from a leading law firm.
• Strong technical expertise in commercial and contract law, with substantial experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience in corporate or M&A matters is beneficial, but not essential.
• Confident in managing projects and negotiations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate and influence with confidence and clarity at all levels.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Commercial awareness and effective risk management skills.

Personal qualities

• Mature, self-sufficient and proactive, with the ability to work independently as well as being a team player.
• Pragmatic.
• Calm under pressure; and
• Flexibility and willingness to support colleagues.

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