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General Counsel

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Network Rail

Sep 15

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior & Expert Level
  • Milton Keynes, +1

AI generated summary

  • You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with in-house experience, strong legal knowledge (especially health & safety), leadership skills, and ability to manage corporate risk effectively.
  • You will lead the National Legal Team, provide high-quality legal advice, manage key relationships, oversee court proceedings, and promote legislative changes, ensuring business-focused legal support and compliance.

Requirements

  • Qualified solicitor or barrister with relevant post-qualification experience, preferably gained all or mostly in house
  • Strong experience in delivering corporate and legal strategic objectives
  • Previous relevant experience gained across a number of legal areas whether commercial, corporate, competition, litigation, property or otherwise – but must be able to demonstrate a strong knowledge and practical understanding of health & safety law.
  • Take ultimate responsibility for all legal matters managed by the National legal team, acting as a trusted adviser, and provide assurance on the same to the Group General Counsel.
  • Ability to identify and minimise corporate legal risk and influence at senior management level
  • Track record of building strong relationships, demonstrating cooperative and collaborative working practices with business clients and legal colleagues.
  • Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing.
  • Strong commercially awareness with the legal industry
  • Significant proven experience of problem solving and using analytical skills to provide legal solutions
  • A demonstrable ability to work well under pressure with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands
  • Able to inspire confidence and credibility at all levels of the company.
  • Basic financial/accounts understanding

Responsibilities

  • 1. Develop the role purpose and vision strategy of the National Legal Team with the Group General Counsel, including the provision leadership and support to legal colleagues across the legal community so that there are collaborative working practices across the organisation.
  • 2. Provide high quality, timely, pragmatic senior level legal advice to the business through the National Legal Team, having primary responsibility for complex and/or high value legal matters that fall within the remit of the National Legal Team, to mitigate corporate risks and reputational damage.
  • 3. Direct and lead the strategic direction of the National Legal Team, working with the General Group Counsel to establish the structure and allocating legal responsibility to be able to empower and develop the team.
  • 4. Lead the interface with the Company’s key panel law firms and wider legal services supply chain as appropriate with the Group General Counsel and other members of the Legal leadership team, to supervise the instruction and use of suitable external legal service advisors with regard to the efficiency and necessity of use, quality, cost efficiency and suitability for purpose.
  • 5. Manage all the legal advice provided by the National Legal Team so as to be business –focused, accurate and appropriate, allowing the company to reduce its risk of exposure and achieve its objectives, including when required, the provision of advice to Board members and members of the Executive Leadership Team.
  • 6. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key external stakeholders, including the Department for Transport, HM Treasury, the ORR, and DOHL, enabling effective networkwide industry planning in order to facilitate whole industry transformation and meet control period commitments, influencing to manage expectations and, wherever practicable appropriate solutions.
  • 7. Oversee all notable court proceedings across the business so that the corporate risks are appropriately managed.
  • 8. Support (and lead wherever appropriate) the promotion of changes to the legislative framework within which Network Rail operates.
  • 9. Be the professional head for Network Rail’s Solicitors and sponsor the professional development and compliance requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

FAQs

What is the location for the General Counsel position?

The General Counsel position is located in Milton Keynes, GB, with additional options at the Waterloo General Offices in London.

What qualifications are required for this role?

A qualified solicitor or barrister with relevant post-qualification experience, preferably gained mostly in-house, is required for this role.

What are the key responsibilities of the General Counsel?

The General Counsel will take responsibility for all legal matters managed by the National legal team, provide high-quality legal advice, and manage relationships with key external stakeholders and law firms.

What skills are essential for this position?

Essential skills include strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities, an understanding of corporate legal risks, and a strong knowledge of health and safety law.

What benefits are offered with this job?

Benefits include flexible/hybrid working arrangements, generous annual leave, discounts on train tickets, a defined benefit pension scheme, and volunteer leave.

How is the salary structured for this role?

The salary band for the General Counsel position is £116,753 - £138,991, subject to experience.

What is the closing date for applications?

The closing date for applications is to be confirmed, but please note that the advert may close early based on application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Is there a requirement for security checks for this position?

Yes, prospective employees must comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, which include identity verification and a satisfactory employment history check.

Is prior experience in the UK railway industry necessary?

While prior experience in the UK railway industry is desirable, it is not mandatory for applying to this role.

What is the role of the General Counsel in terms of the National Legal Team's leadership?

The General Counsel will develop the role purpose and vision strategy of the National Legal Team and provide leadership and support to legal colleagues across the organization to ensure collaborative working practices.

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Network Rail

Transportation
Industry
10,001+
Employees
2002
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

We’re at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway, getting people and goods where they need to be and supporting the economy. Investment and modernisation are essential. So we’re building the railway of the future, running a safe, reliable and efficient railway, and serving customers and communities. Our vision is Putting Passengers First – becoming a company that’s on the side of passengers and freight users.