Network Rail
Legal Counsel (Regions)
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Who We Are
Join Our Team at Network Rail!
Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. You can learn more about our region here: [North West & Central region - Network Rail](North West & Central region - Network Rail).
In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at [Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion](Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail).
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
About The Role
We are recruiting for 2 exciting Legal Counsel opportunities:
Legal Counsel (Regions)
As Legal Counsel (Regions) you will report to the Head of Legal (Commercial) for NW&C Region. You will advise across all areas of law which affect the regional business, with an emphasis on commercial, health and safety, and litigation law. Your day to day workload will include taking responsibility for advice on a wide range of matters including in the areas of commercial, health and safety, procurement, construction, employment, and public and regulatory law.
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Legal Counsel (Property, Planning and Projects)
As Legal Counsel (Property, Planning and Projects), you will report to the Head of Legal (Property, Projects and Planning) for NW&C Region. You will also advise across the regional business, with an emphasis on supporting major projects, planning schemes and property work.
Location: The successful candidate will be based in Milton Keynes (MK9).
As this is a role in a regional team, regular travel across NW&C is required. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.
What's In It For You
Here are a few of the benefits we have to offer:
- 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
- Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
- The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
- Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
- We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
- A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
- Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
- Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
- 5 days of paid volunteering leave
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community
To find out more about what we offer, click here.
Your Experience And Skills
What you'll be doing:
We are seeking highly capable and commercially astute legal professionals to play a key role in supporting complex, high-value matters across the business. Working closely with Heads of Legal and Regional General Counsel, you will provide clear, pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of issues, from major projects and procurement activity to litigation and the response to significant incidents.
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You will be a trusted partner to the business, helping to manage risk while enabling strategic objectives, and contributing to the development of policies, processes and training that strengthen legal capability across the organisation. Collaborating across regions, you will bring insight and solutions to challenging scenarios, while effectively managing external legal partners where required. With a focus on continuous improvement and knowledge sharing, you will play an active part in a connected legal community, providing valuable reporting and representing the legal function at senior forums, ensuring the business is informed, protected and positioned for success.
What You'll Have
It is a mandatory requirement to hold a current UK practicing certificate. Please indicate this clearly on your CV. If not, your application will be automatically rejected.
- Qualified solicitor or barrister with previous experience.
- Legal background to be gained across a number of legal areas whether commercial, corporate, competition, litigation, property or otherwise - but must have substantial commercial or litigation experience.
- Ability to identify and minimise corporate legal risk in a commercial context
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to build relationships and influence independently
- Sound judgment and the confidence to operate with autonomy and accountability
- A highly proactive mindset - you take ownership, spot issues early and drive solutions
- Creative problem solver with can do attitude
- A genuine team player who collaborates openly and contributes to a supportive, high performing environment
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure
- Basic financial/accounts understanding
We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be:
- 3+ years PQE in a relevant legal discipline
- In-house experience (this includes, for example, a secondment)
- Experience in a regulated or public sector body environment
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