Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Legal Counsel - Interim

Senior Legal Counsel – Government Financial Markets | 9-Month Contract
Location: London (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)
Contract Type: Full-time, 9-month contract (with potential for extension)
Security Clearance: SC Clearance preferred (or willingness to obtain)

Pay Rate - £351 Per day

Reed is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a prestigious government financial agency for a Senior Legal Counsel to join their legal team on an interim basis. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the legal operations of a public sector organisation that plays a vital role in the UK’s financial infrastructure.

Our client is a central government agency operating at the intersection of public policy and financial markets. It is internationally recognised for its excellence in delivering the UK Government’s financing needs and providing high-quality policy advice and innovation. The agency’s core functions include:

• Managing government debt through bond issuance
• Conducting cash management operations in the money markets
• Lending to local authorities
• Overseeing the management of public sector funds

As a senior member of the legal team, you will report directly to the Head of Legal and support a period of increased activity. You’ll provide strategic and operational legal advice across a wide range of areas including:

• Debt capital markets, money markets, and derivatives
• Financial regulation and public law
• Commercial contracts, fund management, and lending
• Property, IP, employment, and dispute resolution
• Legislative drafting and international law (as needed)

You’ll also contribute to the development of legal know-how, manage external legal advisers, and support innovative projects such as digital bonds and tech-driven legal solutions.

• Draft and review documentation for debt issuance (e.g., auctions, syndications)
• Negotiate counterparty agreements (e.g., GMRA, ISDA)
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess impact
• Provide legal advice on public law and commercial matters
• Support procurement and management of external legal services

We’re looking for a highly experienced and pragmatic legal professional who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You will have:

• Qualification to practise law in England & Wales
• Ideally 10–15 years’ post-qualification experience in a law firm, financial institution, or public body
• Expertise in at least one of: financial markets transactions, commercial contracts, or public law
• Strong legal drafting, analytical, and project management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• A proactive, flexible, and team-oriented mindset

Experience with digital bonds or legal tech is desirable but not essential.

• Working pattern: 5 days/week, hybrid (3 days onsite in London)
• Hours: 36 hours/week (7h12m/day)
• IR35: Role is inside IR35
• Security Clearance: SC clearance preferred; support provided for successful candidates to obtain clearance if not already held
• References: Employment or character references covering the last 3 years required

Thursday 19th June 2025 (Close of Business)

Early applications are encouraged as CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis.