- Workplace
- Hybrid
- Source
- Fountain
Description
Department: Legal and Compliance
Reports to: General Counsel
Location: Hybrid working with some office presence in London
Terms: Permanent / Full time
About the role
We seek an experienced commercial lawyer, approximately 5–7 years PQE, to lead our commercial legal function. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will take day-to-day ownership of Cera’s commercial and public sector contracting and will have line management responsibility for a Commercial Legal Counsel and for our Immigration Team. You will advise on a diverse range of matters, including government and public sector procurement, IT and software licensing, intellectual property, commercial contracts, data protection, M&A, fundraising, regulatory and general commercial law advisory work.
Responsibilities
Lead and develop Cera’s commercial legal and immigration capability, including:
Line managing, supervising and developing a Commercial Legal Counsel – allocating work, reviewing output and providing technical support
Line managing the Immigration Team, with oversight of the company’s sponsor licence and right to work compliance and escalation of material risks to the General Counsel
Acting as the principal commercial legal point of contact for the business and deputising for the General Counsel where required
Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a variety of commercial agreements, including:
Service agreements with local authorities (e.g. block and spot contracts)
Supplier and subcontractor agreements
Framework agreements and tender documentation
Employment agency contracts for temporary staff
Client care contracts for private service users
Lead on government and public sector procurement, including:
Advising bid teams on tenders and framework competitions run by local authorities and the NHS
Advising on compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and legacy procurement rules, including transparency and contract change notices, conflicts of interest, exclusion grounds and permitted contract modifications
Handling clarification questions, standstill periods, debriefs and procurement challenges, and liaising with contracting authorities on award and mobilisation
Advise on data protection and privacy in collaboration with the Cera DPO, including:
Ensuring compliance with GDPR and UK data protection laws when handling sensitive personal data (e.g. client health records)
Drafting and reviewing privacy policies, data processing agreements, and data-sharing arrangements
Responding to Data Subject Access Requests
Protect and commercialise the company’s intellectual property and technology assets, including:
Reviewing and advising on trademarks, copyrights, and branding materials
Drafting IP clauses in contracts to secure ownership of work created by third parties
Reviewing and advising on IT services contracts, SaaS, and IP licensing agreements
Drafting and negotiating IT and software licensing agreements, including SaaS, cloud, hosting, data licensing, reseller and development agreements, together with support, security and service level terms
Advising on the licensing-in and licensing-out of Cera’s proprietary technology, including licences to public sector bodies and third party businesses
Ensure compliance with industry regulations, including:
Working with the Quality Team to meet Care Quality Commission standards and safeguarding obligations
Addressing Procurement Act 2023 requirements
Manage dispute resolution, including:
Managing disputes with suppliers or customers by providing litigation advice
Liaising with external counsel when necessary
Qualifications and Skills
Essential:
Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with approximately 5-7 years PQE in commercial law or a related field (strong candidates with other levels of experience will be considered).
Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts across various types.
Demonstrable experience of government and public sector procurement, including the Procurement Act 2023 gained in private practice or in-house.
Experience of supervising, mentoring or line managing others, or demonstrable readiness to take on line management responsibility.
General understanding of TUPE.
Knowledge of GDPR/data protection regulations and their practical application in a business setting.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the business.
Ability to manage and liaise with external counsel.
Proactive, detail-oriented approach to work.
A team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
Desirable, though not essential:
Previous experience in the health or social care.
Understanding of employment law or regulatory frameworks affecting domiciliary care businesses.
Experience drafting and negotiating IT, software and SaaS licensing agreements, including IP ownership, data, security and service level provisions.
Working knowledge of intellectual property law, including the protection, licensing and commercialisation of software and brand assets.
Experience gained in-house in a fast-growth, multi-site or regulated business.
