Legal Adviser

Salary: up to £75,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: BPSS

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

Our core activities include ensuring the UK achieves high standards of aviation safety, security, and consumer protection; enabling a safe and sustainable commercial space sector; improving the environmental performance of the aviation and aerospace system; and supporting and promoting innovation across industry.

Are you looking for a fascinating and varied legal position? Do you want cutting-edge work in a sector that is constantly evolving and innovating towards a more sustainable future? This could be the role for you.

The Role

We are offering the opportunity for a lawyer to become part of the legal team within the Office of the General Counsel. We provide legal advice, help in the development of new policy, assist the organisation in managing risk and manage regulatory hearings and litigation. 

As a team, we have a range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience. We pride ourselves on our ability to work dynamically and collaboratively as a team and we are always passionate about achieving the right outcomes. Everyone’s contribution is valued, and we work in an open, friendly, and supportive environment.

In this role, you’ll help our specialist colleagues from different business areas and at all levels of seniority across the organisation. These colleagues include consumer protection and finance specialists, economists, pilots, engineers, environmental experts as well as policy development professionals.

Our lawyers’ work includes advising on competition and economic regulation; implementing measures to protect consumers; shaping safety and security regulations in aviation; developing policies and procedures for the design of airspace; advising on strategies aimed at achieving the long-term goal of Net Zero 2050; and developing new aviation legislation and policy in support of new technologies.

You'll be supported by the experienced legal team around you, but from the beginning you will be required to handle your own workload, working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners in a fast-paced environment. You will also work collectively with the team of lawyers, learning and sharing with each other so that as a team we can provide the best legal service to the CAA.

Core Accountabilities 

• Providing high quality, user-friendly and practical legal advice that is responsive to clients’ needs on a very wide range of matters including applying existing regulation and policies, working with government lawyers and other regulators such as the CMA, licensing activity, enforcement and litigation, and the development of new law policies and guidance.
• Leading all aspects of the client relationship for each allocated case or project and proactively being responsible for the matter from start-to-finish.
• Working effectively within integrated and multi-disciplinary teams (internal and external).
• Collaborating efficiently with all lawyers in the team by sharing information, knowledge and learning.
• Building and maintaining trusted professional relationships with clients across the organisation and building the profile of the Office of the General Counsel.
• Aligning the legal service provided with the client demands in a way that improves the organisation’s reputation and ensures the CAA continues to be a world-leading aviation regulator.
• Contributing to the smooth running of the in-house legal team.

About You

Given the varied and flexible nature of this role, there is no ‘typical’ candidate, though it is important that candidates are enthusiastic about acquiring new knowledge across a range of work, working collaboratively, and thinking proactively.

We are seeking a lawyer with 4+PQE and welcome lawyers who have taken alternative routes to qualification, as well as lawyers who have qualified abroad and are entitled to practice in the UK.

We are an equal opportunity employer actively supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage and support applications from all backgrounds, in particular candidates from minority backgrounds.

The role would be best suited to someone who has the following skills and qualifications:

Essential

• You are a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive qualified to practice in the UK with 4+PQE.
• You are able to communicate legal concepts and advice to non-legal stakeholders both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• You can build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and you are able to think practically about solutions, taking into account the bigger picture.
• You have the willingness and ability to learn new areas of law quickly.
• You are comfortable juggling a full and varied workload.
• You are resilient under pressure with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• You are committed to your own development and willing to support the development of others.
• You are open to giving and receiving constructive feedback with a learning mindset.
• You are able to build trusted client relationships.
• You are able to plan and prioritise tasks, set targets and manage your time effectively.

Desirable

• You have experience dealing with litigation matters.
• You have experience in an area of consumer protection or competition law.
• You have public law or regulatory experience.

What Can We Offer You?

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

We have embraced hybrid working and members of the legal team attend our office on two or three days per week. We offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 28th August 2024

Interview Date: w/c 9th September 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.