Senior Litigation Lawyer – Building Safety and Construction (Fixed-Term)

What you'll be doing? Supporting the business and our divisional offices, our Head Office functions cover all departments from our Executive Board through to our support functions such as Group Design and Technical, HR, Health and Safety, IT, Sales and Marketing, Commercial, Procurement, Group Finance, Corporate Affairs, as well as Legal and Company Secretariat. We also have a specialised function – Barratt Partnerships. While the work varies from team to team, our key requirements don’t: you must be well organised, extremely helpful and resourceful, and able to use your initiative. You’ll understand that what you do is important, and impacts on your team, the department, and the wider business. The Group Legal and Compliance (GLCT) function of Barratt Developments plc, based in Coalville, Leicestershire, is run by a progressive and innovative Head of Legal who is committed to developing a dynamic legal support function. The team is primed to meet the existing, and future, needs of the business. The new role of Senior Litigation Lawyer has been identified as a critical element to achieving this. The role is to support GLCT with complex Commercial, Construction and Building Safety Litigation. The successful candidate will not only provide direct hands-on legal advice, but also coordinate with and oversee other members of the Group Legal Team and manage external advisors in the provision of legal support to the business. You will be expected to: Take overall responsibility and accountability for advising on contentious legal matters, either directly, or in collaboration with other members of the Group Legal function and/or external lawyers (depending on the nature of the support required). Develop and maintain strong relationships with the key members of Barratt Group and its various divisions such as the Building Safety Unit (BSU). This will require the cultivating of a “trusted partner/advisor” relationship to better and more closely align the Group Legal function to the objectives and needs of the wider business. Monitor and budget external legal spend, identifying opportunities to create additional value from existing law firm relationships and following up on implementing the same in order to generate and demonstrate that value add. Report into the Head of Regulatory, Construction and Disputes on a regular basis. This will include providing an overview of key activities and progress of matters. It may also include regular contact with the BSU and contributing to departmental tracking and Executive reporting. Be responsible for the production and reporting of material litigation matter to the Executive on a monthly basis. Proactively participate in and contribute to knowledge and information sharing within the Group Legal team and the BSU, to ensure: (i) an aligned approach to legal support is being delivered across the business where applicable; and (ii) to benefit from lessons learned elsewhere in the Group/from activities of other regions/departments. Supervise, coach/mentor and upskill more junior lawyers in the team to be able to meet their development needs and progress their careers within the organisation. What you'll need? To be successful in the role, we are looking for: At least 7 years’ PQE. Be either a Senior Commercial or Senior Construction Litigation lawyer by background, someone familiar with the pace and requirements of litigious negotiation and settlement type activity. Capability of working to demanding deadlines in a highly pressured and fast-paced environment. Excellent organisational, management, communication and negotiation skills. The ability to readily switch between strategically evaluating situations in real time and providing credible and coherent hands-on legal advice in a commercial context. Ideally either have worked in house for a large corporate or currently be in a senior litigation position in private practice (Senior Associate/Legal Director); and (though not a pre-requisite) have experience working in the construction/residential development sector. Our Company and Benefits We’ve been nationally recognised as a 5-star housebuilder since 2009 for supplying high-quality homes for all generations. That’s more than any other major housebuilder. It’s because we combine the brightest minds, the latest technology, and a genuine commitment to putting customers first. We want the best people in the industry to help us shape the future of building. We have tailored opportunities for apprentices, graduates, experienced professionals and ex-Armed Forces personnel to come and help us stay one step ahead, and build the homes that Britain needs. Barratt adopts a hybrid way of working which assumes that where roles allow, our office-based colleagues divide their time between working in the office, on our construction sites and sales offices, and working from home, as the role dictates. We recognise the many benefits that an effective hybrid working culture brings to both the Company and our colleagues. We are building an organisation where anyone with drive and talent can pursue the career they want. We are building a culture where anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, disability, background or any other characteristic, can progress and be proud to work for us. As part of working for Barratt Developments PLC and specifically for this role we offer: Competitive Salary Competitive Bonus Scheme Private Medical Cover - Single Cover 26 days’ holiday (increase by 1 day for every 3 years’ continuous service up to 29 days) Choice of Flexible Benefits Annual Medical Health Assessment Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

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