Legal Counsel

Version 1 is seeking a permanent Legal Counsel to join its Legal Team, focusing on shaping and maturing Contract Management and Subcontractor governance processes. The role involves working closely with various internal departments, customers, and third parties. The successful candidate will contribute to the team's ongoing development and operational excellence, making a sustained impact and driving strategic direction in contract and subcontract management within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Must Have

• Lead and support across a broad range of UK Public Sector Frameworks (e.g., CCS, TS3/TS4, DOS, G-Cloud, DSP, SDIS, Cabinet Office Model Services Contract, NHS, Scottish Government, National Highways)
• Advise on and manage Subcontractor agreements
• Review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of other commercial contracts, including those with private sector clients, suppliers, and partners
• Competent at reviewing contracts to identify risks and areas that deviate from company policy and explaining contract risks in plain English
• Collaborative and effective at escalating policy deviations to the designated approvers
• Experienced, proactive negotiator with strong active listening skills who drives the right results for Version 1
• Adaptive at working from commercial contracts (business as usual “BAU”) to non-BAU requests
• Develop and refine internal policies, procedures, and best practices relating to contracts and subcontracts
• Solutions/business-minded, adept at keeping stakeholders engaged and aligning with business needs, balancing risk against reward
• Support the continuous improvement and long-term maturity of the Legal Team’s structure and processes
• Qualified solicitor (UK or Ireland) or experienced Contracts Manager with commercial contracts training and a degree in Law, Business, Supply Chain, or related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial contracts with a strong focus on Public Sector frameworks and Subcontractor agreements
• Proven experience in large, complex procurements and managing both customer and Subcontractor agreements
• Strong understanding of Public Procurement Rules
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise at all levels

Good to Have

• Experience in the IT services sector (for commercial contracts)
• Solid grasp of legal and regulatory compliance, particularly GDPR, NIS2, AI Act, and DORA

Perks & Benefits

• Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme
• Flexible/remote working
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more
• Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes

At Version 1, we are committed to building a Legal Team that is a long-term business enabler, supporting our “Easy-To-Do-Business-With” ethos. As a permanent member of our Legal Team, you will play a key role in shaping and maturing our Contract Management and Subcontractor governance processes, working closely with colleagues across Commercial, Finance, Practice, Compliance, and Data Protection, as well as with customers and third parties.

You will join a dynamic and supportive Legal Team, where your expertise will contribute to the ongoing development and operational excellence of our legal function. We always have each other’s back and have developed effective ways of connecting while working digitally. This permanent role is ideal for someone seeking to make a sustained impact, develop their career, and help drive the strategic direction of contract and subcontract management at Version 1.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support across a broad range of UK Public Sector Frameworks, including but not limited to Crown Commercial Services (CCS) frameworks such as Technology Services 3 / 4 (TS3/TS4), Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS), G-Cloud, Digital Specialists and Programmes (DSP), Software Design and Implementation Services (SDIS), Cabinet Office Model Services Contract and other sector-specific frameworks (e.g., NHS, Scottish Government, National Highways), ensuring compliance with framework requirements and supporting successful delivery under each agreement
• Advise on and manage Subcontractor agreements, ensuring flow-down of obligations and compliance with prime contract terms
• Review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of other commercial contracts, including those with private sector clients, suppliers, and partners
• Competent at reviewing contracts with an eagle-eye to identify risks and areas that deviate from company policy and explaining contract risks in plain English
• Collaborative and effective at escalating policy deviations to the designated approvers
• An experienced, proactive negotiator with strong active listening skills who drives the right results for Version 1
• Adaptive at working from commercial contracts (business as usual “BAU”) to non-BAU requests to help our stakeholders with other business demands
• Develop and refine internal policies, procedures, and best practices relating to contracts and subcontracts
• Solutions/business-minded – you’ll be adept at keeping stakeholders engaged at all steps of the process and shifting focus to align with business needs. Balancing risk against reward is part of how you operate
• Support the continuous improvement and long-term maturity of the Legal Team’s structure and processes

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (UK or Ireland) or experienced Contracts Manager with commercial contracts training and a degree in Law, Business, Supply Chain, or related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial contracts ideally within the IT services sector, but we are open-minded, with a strong focus on Public Sector frameworks and Subcontractor agreements
• Proven experience in large, complex procurements and managing both customer and Subcontractor agreements
• Strong understanding of Public Procurement Rules
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise at all levels
• Solid grasp of legal and regulatory compliance, particularly GDPR, NIS2, AI Act, and DORA (desirable but not essential)
• Experience in developing and implementing internal policies and best practices for contract and subcontract management