Associate General Counsel - Commercial & Procurement

About the role

This is a strategic legal leadership role within NRS, open to applicants across the NDA Group. The Associate General Counsel – Commercial & Procurement will provide expert legal support to the Commercial Function, Managing Directors and the P3M and Strategy Director, including supporting NRS development of its make vs buy and commercial strategy.

The postholder will represent the GC as a key business partner to senior leaders, and will lead legal input into commercial projects and programmes. This role includes line management of the Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial & Procurement and contributes to the delivery of the wider Group Legal vision.

Hear from the Hiring Manager 

"This is a high-impact role that will provide expert legal support to our Commercial Function, Managing Directors, and the P3M and Strategy Director, helping shape NRS’s commercial strategy and approach to procurement. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the successful candidate will act as a key business partner, delivering pragmatic legal advice and leading legal input into major projects and programmes.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest levels of the organisation while contributing to the delivery of the Group Legal vision. We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister with significant post-qualification experience, strong technical expertise in commercial law, and the ability to communicate complex legal issues in clear, accessible language. If you are collaborative, resilient, and passionate about driving legal excellence in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply."

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support and ac as a legal business partner to the Commercial Director, P3M and Strategy Director and 3 Managing Directors for DY, Paired Sites and Solo Sites.
• Line manage the Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial & Procurement
• Identify and advise on legal risks within areas of responsibility and help the GC and DGC to deliver the function vision for the next 5 years
• Build strong relationships with NRS functions and business leads to understand legal needs and priorities
•  Deliver timely and pragmatic legal advice in accessible language
•  Provide training on legal risk and compliance to relevant NRS functions
•  Advise on the engagement of external counsel and manage their coordination
•  Support the delivery of the Group Legal vision, including participation in cross-group working groups
•  Demonstrate adaptability and support commercial legal work as needed
•  Foster a collaborative, resilient, and constructive working environment within the legal team
•  Work closely with legal counsel across the NDA Group, particularly the Commercial legal teams, to ensure alignment and shared goals
• Promote continuous improvement and recommend changes to enhance legal support and governance

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a minimum of 10 years PQE
•  Strong experience in private practice and/or in-house legal roles within complex environments
•  Demonstrable experience as a legal business partner across multiple business areas is desirable
•  Proven ability to deliver complex legal advice in clear, business-friendly language
• Strong technical legal skills, with particular focus on commercial contracts, construction, commercial litigation and public procurement rules.
• Shows commercial acumen and pragmatic judgement
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
•  Effective listener with the ability to engage at all levels and maintain confidentiality
•  Team-oriented with the ability to work independently
•  Experience managing external legal services providers and budgets
• Commitment to the values of Respect, Openness, Collaboration, Performance, and Creativity
•  Adaptable, resilient, and solutions-focused approach
•  Willingness to travel to nuclear sites and business meetings across the UK
•  Familiarity with flexible and hybrid working practices

Benefits Package

• Salary commensurate with skills & experience.
• Car / Car Allowance.
• Flexible working – where possible.
• Equivalent of 30 days (222 hours) annual leave plus Public Holidays (59.2 hours per year) - option to buy or sell up to one week each year.
• Flexible benefits scheme – including cycle to work and reduced gym membership fees.
• Participation in performance related personal bonus scheme at a percentage of salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme including 24-hour telephone support & personal assistance service and access to an online wellbeing App.
• Up to 13.5% employer pension contribution depending on individual contribution amount.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay (dependent on service).
• Access to training and development through the company performance management arrangements, supporting you in maintaining your personal Continuous Professional Development.
• We have various different employee networks supporting our inclusion, diversity and wellbeing mission at Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS).

Additional Information

Please be aware this role holder requires security clearance, or the ability to obtain said clearance.

There is a requirement to live within a commutable distance to the sites where the role is based. For central/multi-site roles, we have various hubs across the UK and can be flexible with base location.

We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. 

At Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS), we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive, we therefore particularly welcome applications from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBT+ and candidates with a disability as they are all underrepresented in our workforce. 

We have the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large volume of applications.

We are happy to talk flexible working where possible.