Senior Counsel - Fixed Term

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Senior Counsel
Flexible Base Location with UK Travel (2 days per week in London office)
Full Time, 12 Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
Band 2

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Counsel to join our UK & Europe Legal team, reporting directly to the Legal Director. This critical role will provide high-quality legal expertise and support for corporate and commercial matters across the region. You will lead on complex transactions, including mergers & acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, consortium arrangements, financed projects, and strategic bids.

Serco is a leading provider of essential public services, operating across defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare, and citizen services in the UK and Europe. With a commitment to delivering excellence, Serco offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you can make a real impact. Joining us as a Senior Counsel means you'll be at the forefront of high-profile transactions, supporting strategic growth, and shaping key projects that drive positive outcomes for society. We offer not just a competitive salary and benefits package, but also the opportunity to advance your career in a forward-thinking, purpose-driven organisation.

As part of this you'll:

• Deliver proactive, high quality strategic outcomes focused legal advice on a wide range of commercial matters throughout the business lifecycle including taking a lead role on complex and strategic transactions and projects.
• Building strong relationships and work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and provide quality enabling support on legal, risk and contractual aspects ok key strategic and/or complex projects including bids and growth initiatives, M&A transactions, joint ventures, and finances projects.
• Proactively support bid and project review processes such as commercial black hats and offer review and challenge on strategic UK & Europe bids and projects.
• Support the UK & Europe Legal Director in delivering strategic outcomes focused legal advice on key disputes and contentious commercial matters including analysis of complex liability issues and development of litigation and negotiation strategies.
• Remain continually aware of and proactively identify changes and developments in relevant laws, regulations and government policy & guidance and take steps to assess and manage their impact.
• Development and delivery of relevant elements of legal, risk and contracts training alongside colleagues across the Legal function and external counsel.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of Serco's policies, standards and procedures relating to legal, contracts and risk management and provide assurance in respect of adherence across the UK & Europe business.

What you'll need:

• Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification experience in corporate & commercial matters.
• Proven experience leading M&A transactions, joint ventures, and financed projects.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills with an ability to adopt robust commercial positions whilst maintaining effective relationships.
• A proactive, self-starter attitude with the ability to manage complex legal risks.
• Experience in a fast-paced in-house legal environment is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience of public sector contracts and projects is desirable.
• Strong business orientated approach with a focus on practice solutions and outcomes.
• Experience of implementing and driving change with a mindset of continuous improvement and continually seeking improved and more efficient methods of working.
• Security Clearance will be required at SC level, Serco will arrange for this on your behalf.

What we offer:

• Company car / £4200 cash alternative
• Private healthcare
• Bonus scheme of 10% on target and 20% exceeding targets
• Flexible working considered
• Pension - 6%
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion

All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application. For confidential enquiries please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.