Commercial Solicitor

The Woodland Trust is looking for an experienced Commercial Solicitor to provide expert legal advice across a broad range of commercial and operational matters, helping the Trust achieve its strategic objectives while effectively managing legal risk.

We are particularly interested in solicitors with experience in the charity, public or third sector and ideally with 7+ PQE.

The Role:

You’ll be part of a small busy team providing practical, risk-based legal advice across a broad range of commercial and compliance matters, where the role includes:

• Commercial contract review, drafting and negotiation for the purchase of services, goods and work to support the operational activities of the Trust and its subsidiary companies.
• Drafting, review and negotiation of a variety of contracts, agreements and legal documents that support the Trust's work and strategic objectives including fundraising, funding agreements and grants, intellectual property, data protection, regulatory compliance and charity governance;
• Managing a diverse caseload autonomously, balancing competing priorities while delivering a responsive and high-quality legal service to the Trust.
• Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, helping them navigate legal issues and make informed decisions, including by identifying and communicating legal risks clearly and providing pragmatic solutions that support positive outcomes.
• Building effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external advisers, acting as a trusted legal partner.
• Maintaining robust legal records and contribute to strong governance and compliance practices across the Trust.
• Share legal knowledge and support colleagues to build confidence and understanding in key legal areas.
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working and from our head office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Head office attendance would be required once every four months on average. Occasional travel to sites, other offices and remote locations may also be required.

The Candidate:

• Experienced in drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts, grants, and legal agreements, with the ability to deliver clear, pragmatic and proportionate advice.
• Comfortable advising on a range of legal issues and able to quickly get to the heart of a problem and recommend practical solutions.
• Skilled at communicating complex legal matters in a way that is easy for non-legal colleagues to understand and act upon.
• Confident building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes.
• Commercially minded, with sound judgement, critical analysis skills and a balanced approach to managing legal risk.
• Self-motivated and organised, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of work.
• Curious and keen to keep developing your expertise, staying up to date with changing legal and regulatory requirements and emerging areas of law.
• You’ll be a qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate and a good level of post-qualification experience - ideally with 7+ years PQE. 

Benefits and Wellbeing:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible and hybrid working options (7am – 7pm)
• Generous annual leave – 25 Days plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• Enhanced parental pay
• Employee assistance programme

About Us:

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make a difference by protecting, restoring and creating woodland and getting more trees in the ground.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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