The Woodland Trust
Principal Commercial Solicitor
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The Woodland Trust is looking for a Principal Commercial Solicitor to lead on commercial legal cases for the Trust to enable us to operate in a compliant and effective manner.
The Role: • Lead the effective deliver of a varied caseload including commercial sponsorship, procurement, collaboration and intellectual property cases. • Lead the Trusts team of commercial lawyers providing support and training where required. • Provide pragmatic, considered and informed legal advice. • Research areas of law to provide considered solutions in new contexts. • Monitor and manage engagement with external solicitors and oversee VFM delivery. • Understand and advise on legal risk to enable effective decision making within the organisation. • Create bespoke documentation to produce appropriate agreements. • This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our head office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Head office attendance would be required no more than once every two months on average.
The Candidate: • 7 years of PQE experience in contract, regulatory or intellectual property cases. • Experience in data protection law and practice with the ability to advise senior stakeholders on complex legal issues. • Strong negotiation skills with the ability to persuade and reason effectively. • Experience leading on complex contractual matters with the ability to draft and negotiate significant contracts. • Knowledge about contract law. • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. • Knowledge on charity and other regulatory law in practice alongside charity legal compliance. • Experience advising stakeholders on complex property legal issues. • Qualified solicitor with a valid practicing certificate.
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Benefits and Wellbeing: Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: • Enhanced Employer Pension • Life Assurance • Flexible & Hybrid Working Options • Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time) • Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme • Enhanced Parental Pay • Employee Assistance Programme
About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply. Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
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Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. Make sure that you answer the Application Questions to show your relevant skills and passion for the role.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI): We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. For queries relating to this new opportunity please email recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams on the 12th August 2026.
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