Legal Counsel, Commercial Law

Thales' legal department has a unique and high profile opportunity on a Fixed Term contract for a qualified Lawyer or Solicitor to work within the well regarded Commercial law function.

The Legal function's main mission consists in creating a secure legal framework for the Group's activities and the structure which supports its development, in line with its strategic objectives, and in advocating and asserting the rights and interests of the Group and of each entity thereof. In this context, the Legal function takes part in improving performance and profitability of the operations in line with the Group's operational objectives.

The role of Solicitor/Lawyer will be based in Crawley and will support the business in relation to all day-to-day legal requirements and is the primary point of contact between the business and the Legal Department.

This is an important role in a small team; you will have direct engagement with and will be able to provide accurate and practical legal advice to senior managers within the business in order to contribute to the creation of a secure legal framework for the Group's activities in the UK.

Key responsibilities/Tasks for the Legal Counsel:

Drafting complex or bespoke commercial agreements and procurement agreements (in particular for major bids and programmes).
Interpretation of contracts and advice on interpreted and application of contract terms
Ad hoc advice on any point of law including initial advice in relation to disputes
Application of the legal policies and procedures of Thales UK and the Thales Group.
Resolution of legal issues within short time scales ensuring that business objectives are met without compromising the legal protection of the Thales Group.
To provide prompt, professional, accurate and clear legal advice to the business
To ensure timely and comprehensive reporting of all relevant legal issues to the VP Legal and Contracts UK.

Skills, experience & qualifications required:

Essential

You will be a Qualified solicitor/Lawyer (or equivalent) with considerable experience of general commercial law
You must have a proven record of working as part of a team, as well as acting autonomously in managing a broad caseload within tight deadlines.
The ability to advise the businesses from both a legal and commercial standpoint is essential.
Strong interpersonal skills are vital, as is the ability to work with people at different levels of the organisation, particularly senior management and HR.

Desirable

Experience of in-house commercial legal support would be highly regarded
Strong self-motivational and persuasive skills. Must be able to appreciate the business context within which the jobholder operates and to adopt an open and user-friendly approach when working with non-legal colleagues

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs.

With Thales employing 68,000 employees in 50 countries and 43% of all Thales UK roles being filled via internal movements our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields.

Thales UK touches all of our lives, every day. Our expertise in secure network communications, for example, safeguards as many as 3.7 billion BACS transactions, worth around £1 trillion, every year. We are a leader in onboard equipment for civil and military aircraft.

What we do

Thales UK: Aerospace

One of the world's only technology providers serving both the civilian and military markets, Thales UK is a key participant in an extensive range of major aircraft programmes. Guiding, protecting, equipping, tracking, controlling - Thales's technology is making fixed and rotary wing aircraft of all types safer and more efficient, all around the world.

Thales UK: Defence

Thales UK provides armed forces with crucial military technology, including sophisticated Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) systems. The aim: to provide a cohesive, rapid response capability to
protect our service personnel and defend national interests.

Thales UK: Security

Thales is acknowledged as a world leader in the design and supply of mission critical systems for promoting the safety and security of people and places. From complex transport systems to powerful encryption technology, and from advanced telecoms solutions through to full flight simulators, Thales is helping make the world a safer, more secure place.

Thales UK: Transport

Transport networks around the world rely on technology and systems expertise from Thales for safety, reliability and optimised capacity. Our main markets in the UK are urban rail, mainline rail and roads, where our solutions include signalling (train control, axle counters, interlockings, train protection and warning systems, services), supervision and control, integrated communications, security and information management.

Thales UK Key Facts

Thales UK has earned 79 Queen's Awards for Technology and Export
Thales has invested more than £2bn in the UK within the last 10 years
Thales embodies many famous companies, including Racal, Shorts Missiles, Pilkington Optronics, Redifon MEL, Thomson Marconi Sonar, Thorn Missile Electronics, Avimo, Helio and others

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