Senior Legal Counsel

Digital Catapult is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to support the Legal Director by providing pro-active and pragmatic legal support in addressing commercial, legal and compliance issues across the business, and supporting the development of the Legal Department through continuous improvement, improvement projects, and the development of the team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

• Engage with the business to build credibility and trust as a valued business partner, independently providing a full range of legal support / advice across operational project activities addressing legal implications and compliance issues.
• Drafting, reviewing, advising and negotiating a wide range of contracts, in particular product launches, commercial sales contracts (including MSAs, teaming agreements and bid contracts), but also procurement contracts and research collaboration agreements, and potentially some investment activity.
• Understanding and mitigating key elements of the company’s risk profile.
• Creating, maintaining, and updating company policies and procedures.
• Creating guidance and tool kits and providing training for the business.
• Supporting the Legal Director on resolving legal issues that face the business from time to time.

Requirements

• A qualified solicitor in England & Wales with significant PQE.
• Strong subject knowledge in contract and commercial law (including Data Protection), and good experience of contractual IP and IT application.
• Significant experience with sales contracts, negotiations and processes.
• Experience in delivering an in-house legal service, confident leading on negotiations and providing specialist / technical advice on legal issues.
• Experience with investment activity, such as convertible loan notes or small equity investments would be advantageous, experience with defence / MOD contracts is also desirable but not essential.
• Previous experience / knowledge working with technology in a legal context.
• Previous experience working with and developing junior members of the team.
• Proactive, excellent communication skills, able to work independently/ autonomously and with ambiguity.
• Strong organisation skills, adaptable with the ability to work with changing and evolving priorities.

Deadline for Applications: 27th September 2024

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise and value the advantages and opportunities that come with having people from diverse backgrounds working with us and it is our ambition to build an organisation which is representative and reflective of UK society. We are part of the Catapult network and we are actively committed to our Inclusivity in Innovation Charter, about which you can find out more here.

We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, candidates from minority and underrepresented groups and from candidates with more or less experience, provided the requisite skills can be demonstrated.

As members of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Please do speak with us about adjustments that could support you through our interview process.

Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer.

Benefits

• We are in the UK’s Top 100 Best Workplaces and placed in the UK’s Best Workplaces in Tech and Large Organisations.
• Digital Catapult is a Disability Confident Committed Level 1 Employer.
• Excellent holiday package: 25 days annual leave, Bank Holidays and 3 days between Christmas and New Year:
• Double-matched pension up to 10% of your salary;
• 4% of your salary to use towards selecting benefits that work for you, including health cash plan, Private Medical Insurance; buying holiday, topping up your pension;
• E-Vehicle Scheme; Cycle2Work; Tech Scheme; Gym Discounts; Give As you Earn; PerkPal;
• Life insurance 4x salary;
• Free to access EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice;
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave;
• Hybrid working - with great offices to work from 2 days per week with some roles needing to be onsite more regularly to ensure the successful delivery of our work;
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us;
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!

We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and a variety of employee led affinity groups who champion initiatives and provide opportunities for feedback to be shared.

We use moments in the year to educate everyone at Digital Catapult on different aspects of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to raise awareness.

We also enjoy socialising and having fun together through a variety of company-wide events held throughout the year including our football team, running and climbing groups and volunteering activities.