Senior Lawyer

Morson Talent are working with an organisation in the Rail & Transportation sector who are looking to recruit a Senior Lawyer to join their Legal team in Manchester. The Senior Lawyer will be expected to provide specialist expert legal advice to various stakeholders, supporting the provision of the full range of professional legal, democratic, contract, procurement, and corporate information management services, focussed on the achievement of corporate objectives and strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable relevant legal experience at a comparable level within a similar organisation or public body and will support the Head of Legal Services with ensuring proper systems, processes, policies, and procedures are in place to effectively manage the organisation’s affairs and always ensure proper statutory compliance.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and implement operating plans for the legal services department, aligning with the organization’s strategic objectives.
• Provide expert legal advice on various legal areas, including public, property, commercial, procurement, transport, and data protection law.
• Manage legal and democratic services for the organization’s Boards & Committees, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and supporting effective decision-making.
• Oversee contract dispute resolution and manage external legal specialists.
• Monitor and advise on legal changes, ensuring the organization remains compliant with evolving regulations.
• Act as Deputy Monitoring Officer, ensuring proper governance and statutory compliance, especially in the absence of the Head of Legal Services.
• Support the delivery of projects by providing legal advice, and manage legal aspects of tendering, procurement, and contract negotiations.

Skills & Experience 

• Qualified solicitor with extensive experience in public sector law, including commercial, procurement, and transport law.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage and develop a high-performing legal team.
• In-depth knowledge of governance, risk management, and statutory compliance within a large organization.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build effective relationships.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to deliver solutions across complex legal matters.