Commercial Lawyer - London/York/Hybrid

Job Introduction

We are currently seeking a Commercial Lawyer to join our team based in London/York.

The post holder will be required:

• To provide input and support to the Head of Legal on the oversight, management and control of all legal matters that involves SE Trains Limited (“Southeastern”) and London & North Eastern Railway Limited (“LNER”).
• The role holder will play a critical supporting role. To also provide commercially focused internal legal advice to relevant stakeholders in Southeastern, LNER and across DfT OLR Holdings Limited.
• The role will provide integral support to the procurement, marketing, HR, commercial, passenger services, engineering, and finance directorates and will work closely with both the contract managers and operational stakeholders across Southeastern and LNER.
• To provide support on legal advice relating to commercial agreements, intellectual property, data protection, freedom of information, small claims and other compliance matters to protect the company’s commercial interest.

Take a look at the video below to see what we achieved in 2023!:

The Ideal Candidate

To be considered for this role we recommend you demonstrate the below in your application;

• Educated to degree level or higher.
• Solicitor admitted to practice in England & Wales with max 3 years PQE with a reputable law firm / in house organisation.
• Ability to explain complex legal and risk issues in accessible, plain English terms.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A strong team player, with a professional and collaborative approach, with the ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships across the businesses and with key external stakeholders (including the Government and Network Rail).
• Excellent communication (written and oral), negotiation, drafting and organisation skills.
• Ability to produce high quality, accurate and effective contractual drafting with limited support.
• Ability to demonstrate strong legal analytical skills.
• Ability to demonstrate effective persuasion and influencing skills.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited