Legal Counsel

Salary Scale- £50,786- £65,000 per annum

Closing date- midday on 10 July 2025

What is the purpose of this job?

To provide strategic legal support across RDG’s operations, ensuring the organisation enters into robust, commercially sound agreements and complies with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. As in-house legal counsel, you will act as a trusted advisor and critical friend, enabling RDG to deliver its objectives with confidence and integrity. As the organisation prepares to move into Great British Railways in the coming years, the legal team’s work continues to increase in breadth, complexity and interest.

What can I expect to do in this job?

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but things you can expect to be involved with include:

·       Contractual Support

·       Lead legal review and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts, including consultancy, IT, technology, marketing, and advertising agreements.

·       Partner with the procurement team throughout the tendering process, from drafting to contract management.

·       Advise on project risks and mitigate exposure to onerous contractual terms.

·       Regulatory & Legal Compliance

·       Ensure RDG’s compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and evolving public procurement guidance.

·       Provide expert guidance on data protection.

·       Provide advice, and work with external lawyers, in respect of competition law, consumer protection, and advertising standards.

·       Monitor legal developments and proactively advise on implications for RDG.

·       Corporate Governance & Advisory

·       Support the General Counsel and Company Secretary in delivering governance and company secretarial functions.

·       Provide legal input on internal policies and procedures to ensure alignment with best practices.

·       Deliver legal training and awareness sessions across the organisation.

Who will my key contacts be?

Internally, this will include all of the other members of the Legal and Procurement Division, executive and senior leadership groups along with employees at all levels.

Externally, our key member stakeholders, other legal professionals and suppliers and retailers.

What we are looking for

Essential

·       Qualified solicitor or barrister with approximately 3-5 years’ PQE (qualified in England and Wales or Scotland).

·       Strong experience in commercial contracts.

·       A good command of data protection law.

·       Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.

·       Proven ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

·       Confidence to provide legal advice to junior and senior colleagues with minimal supervision.

Desirable

·       Experience in public procurement law.

·       Experience in company secretarial functions and corporate governance.

·       Knowledge of FOI and competition law.

·       Experience of handling contractual disputes.

·       Familiarity with the UK rail or transport sector.

The Legal Team

You’ll join a close-knit, experienced legal team that values autonomy, collaboration, and work-life balance. We support hybrid working and understand the importance of flexibility. Although our office is in London, you don’t have to be London based to join our team: being in the office once or twice a week let’s us collaborate and partner with our colleagues.

• 30 days annual leave
• 75% reduction on UK rail travel (for work and leisure) - more below
• Reduced international rail travel
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Contributory defined benefit pension scheme
• Give As You Earn scheme
• Subsidised private medical care
• Healthcare cash plan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme scheme
• Flexible working
• 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (subject to eligibility)
• Personal Development Days
• Employees may sell up to a maximum of five days’ leave.  Employees can buy up to a maximum of five days’ leave. These figures will be pro rata for part-time employees