Head of Legal
Application Deadline:
17 January 2025 Department:
CEO Office Employment Type:
Permanent Location:
Milton Keynes
Description
A little bit about us: East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that – improving prosperity for people and places along the way. East West Railway Company was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way. At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple – to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.
Role Summary: This role will provide legal advice, guidance, direction and strategic partnership across a wide variety of legal and compliance matters across the business. The Chief Executive’s Office will work across the organisation to help deliver the EWR’s strategic priorities and oversee activities to support the Chief Executive, Executive and Board. The Chief Executive Officer serves as the public face of the company in most cases and is the main interface with our Client, the Department for Transport.
Key Responsibilities
In collaboration with the General Counsel, develop and deliver the legal internal and external strategy. Manage our internal and external legal advisers and act as primary gatekeeper of legal services, marshalling and interpreting the business need. Lead on the delivery of legal team activities including in relation to training, governance, good decision making, and processes. Provide comprehensive, accurate, timely and cost-effective legal and regulatory advice and services, which add value to the business. Review monthly spend, ensuring that we maximise value and minimise unnecessary expense. Advise on commercial, construction and infrastructure matters in the context of negotiating and drafting procurement contracts. Advise on employment law and oversee the delivery of FOI and data protection matters. Advise on a range of topics, including general advice on regulatory matters, organisational governance and compliance requirements and the avoidance and/or management of disputes and litigation. Draft, review or supervise the preparation of legal agreements and contracts relating to the Company and its activities. Collaborate with the General Counsel, Executive Committee and colleagues across the EWR Co business to mitigate legal and commercial project risk. Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including: coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence. Leading continuous improvement, through regular performance management and ensuring compliance with organisation policies and updating relevant systems. Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles. Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping tax payers’ money at the forefront of decisions. Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities. Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Experience of an in-house environment either in an in-house role or experience of working extremely closely with an in-house legal team. Experience of providing legal advice in respect to commercial and construction contracts. Strong commercial acumen. Outstanding leadership skills. Excellent analytical skills, be a problem solver and independent thinker. Experience in delivering legal advice concisely and in plain English. Experience of resolving and escalating complex risks, issues, and conflicts as necessary. Excellent communication skills with a strong ability to establish relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Demonstrable negotiation and persuasive skills to ensure the right decisions are made. Displaying a collegiate and collaborative approach.
Education and qualifications: Qualified as a Solicitor of the Courts of England & Wales.
Benefits
What we offer: • Competitive base salary • Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution • 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy • Life assurance • Employee Assistance Programme • Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies • On-the-spot and annual awards • Advanced learning and development programmes • Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities • Enhanced family-friendly policies • Exceptional IT tools.
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.
Diversity and Inclusion: To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.
If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Application Deadline:
17 January 2025 Department:
CEO Office Employment Type:
Permanent Location:
Milton Keynes
Description
A little bit about us: East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that – improving prosperity for people and places along the way. East West Railway Company was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way. At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple – to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.
Role Summary: This role will provide legal advice, guidance, direction and strategic partnership across a wide variety of legal and compliance matters across the business. The Chief Executive’s Office will work across the organisation to help deliver the EWR’s strategic priorities and oversee activities to support the Chief Executive, Executive and Board. The Chief Executive Officer serves as the public face of the company in most cases and is the main interface with our Client, the Department for Transport.
Key Responsibilities
In collaboration with the General Counsel, develop and deliver the legal internal and external strategy. Manage our internal and external legal advisers and act as primary gatekeeper of legal services, marshalling and interpreting the business need. Lead on the delivery of legal team activities including in relation to training, governance, good decision making, and processes. Provide comprehensive, accurate, timely and cost-effective legal and regulatory advice and services, which add value to the business. Review monthly spend, ensuring that we maximise value and minimise unnecessary expense. Advise on commercial, construction and infrastructure matters in the context of negotiating and drafting procurement contracts. Advise on employment law and oversee the delivery of FOI and data protection matters. Advise on a range of topics, including general advice on regulatory matters, organisational governance and compliance requirements and the avoidance and/or management of disputes and litigation. Draft, review or supervise the preparation of legal agreements and contracts relating to the Company and its activities. Collaborate with the General Counsel, Executive Committee and colleagues across the EWR Co business to mitigate legal and commercial project risk. Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including: coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence. Leading continuous improvement, through regular performance management and ensuring compliance with organisation policies and updating relevant systems. Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles. Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping tax payers’ money at the forefront of decisions. Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities. Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Experience of an in-house environment either in an in-house role or experience of working extremely closely with an in-house legal team. Experience of providing legal advice in respect to commercial and construction contracts. Strong commercial acumen. Outstanding leadership skills. Excellent analytical skills, be a problem solver and independent thinker. Experience in delivering legal advice concisely and in plain English. Experience of resolving and escalating complex risks, issues, and conflicts as necessary. Excellent communication skills with a strong ability to establish relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Demonstrable negotiation and persuasive skills to ensure the right decisions are made. Displaying a collegiate and collaborative approach.
Education and qualifications: Qualified as a Solicitor of the Courts of England & Wales.
Benefits
What we offer: • Competitive base salary • Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution • 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy • Life assurance • Employee Assistance Programme • Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies • On-the-spot and annual awards • Advanced learning and development programmes • Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities • Enhanced family-friendly policies • Exceptional IT tools.
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.
Diversity and Inclusion: To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.
If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
