Senior Legal Counsel - Procurement

Summary

Salary: Competitive Salary & Benefits

Reporting Line: Head of Legal - IT & Procurement

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 12 Months

Location: London

Closing Date: 13th June 2025

What to expect

As a Senior Legal Counsel -Procurement you will join us on our journey and undertake a valuable role responsible for managing all aspects of legal risk, as well as identifying and solving strategic and operational legal issues.

The Post Office conducts a wide range of activities, from standard procurements of goods and services to concession and reseller and white label arrangements. As it is subject to the procurement rules (e.g., the Procurement Act 2023), it is critical that Post Office has access to risk-based, commercially minded legal advice in relation to its procurement activity, as well as other relevant areas of law such as subsidy control, competition and Post Office’s obligations under Managing Public money.

The Senior Legal Counsel - Procurement (SLC) will be responsible for advising the Procurement team, associated business stakeholders and clients, working under the supervision of the Head of Legal, IT & Procurement. In addition, this role will be required to support the business on general commercial contract matters (including the negotiation of contracts, including IT contracts) arising in relation to procurements.

Reporting to the Head of Legal, the SLC will play a key role in managing all aspects of legal risk relevant to the Post Office businesses, identifying, and solving strategic and operational legal issues and providing understandable, accurate, timely, high-quality and focussed advice (often with short deadlines and limited resource) to the business on a very wide-ranging and changing set of complex issues, many of which are novel or unique to Post Office’s business. The SLC will be required to work independently and to work with/manage a range of external lawyers and/or consultants within a prescribed budget envelope.

What we can do for you

Now, more than ever, we understand that attracting the right talent is pivotal in driving the positive change needed throughout our organisation. Beyond a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 27.5 days annual leave that increases with tenure
• Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity
• Car allowance
• Generous pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Income protection after 12 months service
• Full support from our employee assistance programme and access to our employee benefits platform
• Ever-evolving learning and development opportunities

Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. We actively foster an inclusive workplace that values the unique perspectives and contributions from all colleagues. We hold the belief that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are not just vital but fundamental to our success and growth. Our priority lies in shaping a business that mirrors the diverse communities we reach, truly making Post Office 'Everybody's Business'. As an equal opportunity employer, we value and celebrate the differences among our people, ensuring that our practices reflect our dedication to inclusivity and equal representation for all.

What you’ll need to succeed

You will be an experienced Senior Legal Counsel with excellent procurement knowledge and experience.

• You’ll be a qualified solicitor or barrister with at least 5 years’ PQE that includes experience advising on and negotiating complex and high value procurement projects, such as IT agreements, framework agreements, outsourcing and/or in-house build and transformation programs, commercial agreements both with Post Office as a supplier and customer, and contracts with other public sector bodies.
• Expert knowledge of public procurement regulations (including the Procurement Act 2023, Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the Concession Contract Regulations 2016) will be necessary for this role.
• To succeed in this role, you’ll use your experience to draft, review and/or provide risk reports on a variety of IT and commercial contracts and to translate complex legal and compliance requirements into practical workable solutions for the business.
• You will have the ability to work with regulatory bodies and influence internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of Legal Risk management will also be very beneficial.
• It is critical that you have the necessary expertise, credibility, and gravitas to quickly gain the trust of the business to be able to advise effectively in a fast moving and complex environment.
• You must be comfortable in delivering difficult advice in a commercial way but with a ‘one team’ approach, working alongside other legal colleagues and within a strict regulatory environment.
• Sound judgement, confidentiality and discretion will also have to be exercised
• You should be resilient and have a solution-focussed approach, particularly to guide the business through internal governance and issues of public law
• You should be able to work autonomously but keep the Head of Legal appraised of your work and escalate issues confidently and swiftly, particularly around governance and compliance.