Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

MORE THAN YOU EXPECTED

Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We're a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That's Grant Thornton.

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.

The Office of General Counsel is Grant Thornton UK’s legal function, comprising two sub teams – Disputes and Contracts. The Contracts Team works with all of GT’s service lines and business functions to enable growth whilst managing risk across all our commercial relationships. We work closely with our client-facing colleagues to help deliver the best outcomes for our firm and our clients.

We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

As a Commercial Legal Counsel within our Office of General Counsel, you will:

• draft and negotiate commercial contracts with key clients, including master services agreements and public-sector framework agreements, ensuring risks are identified, considered and mitigated
• draft and negotiate commercial contracts with suppliers, subcontractors and third parties (collaboration, reseller, sponsorship agreements etc.) to support the firm’s growth
• work cross-functionally with the firm’s Quality and Risk teams, client-facing partners and staff on legal issues faced within the firm’s various service lines
• advise on a wide range of other commercial contracting issues, including international contracts, data-sharing agreements, secondment agreements, and software supply contracts
• keep a close eye on the law relating to contracts and professional liability, share knowledge with the team and deliver training to relevant parts of the firm, and help us leverage AI tools for our work
• help protect the firm whilst enabling it to deliver excellent services to our clients.

Knowing you’re right for us

Joining us as a Commercial Legal Counsel, the minimum criteria you’ll need is to be a qualified lawyer with commercial contracting experience. It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

• an understanding of professional services businesses and risk management issues faced by them
• a pragmatic and commercial, solutions-based approach
• a self-starting attitude and the ability to manage conflicting demands
• excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the drafting of contractual terms
• knowledge of adjacent areas of law, such as data protection, intellectual property etc.

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone.  Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

We’re also committed to supporting you through different life stages, with a range of family friendly and wider leave policies. You can find full details of our reward, benefits and leave policies on our website: Reward and benefits.

Beyond the job 

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.

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