Legal Counsel, UK

Description & Requirements

Be part of something great. Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people's lives.

Role Summary

To provide professional legal advice and contract support to Maximus UK businesses in relation to Business Development, Procurement and Sales and general business activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support across the business on contractual matters, including reviews of new client opportunities and renewals, extensions, and variations of existing contracts
• Review invitations to tender, identify legal risks, and provide timely, pragmatic advice to Business Development, Management, Finance, and other stakeholders
• Support Procurement and other departments with the negotiation and drafting of supplier contracts
• Manage post contract issues efficiently, ensuring risks are mitigated and commercial objectives are supported
• Collaborate with the Data Protection team on data protection and information governance matters
• Support the management of contractual disputes, pre litigation matters, employment relations issues, and engagement with external counsel as directed by the VP Legal
• Assist in the development, review, and maintenance of company policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate records of client contracts, including contract registers and document filing
• Support workflow management, legal process improvements, and departmental projects
• Assist the business in meeting relevant regulatory and statutory obligations, including corporate governance requirements
• Advise on and support internal governance matters such as approvals, delegated authorities, and record keeping
• Support the development and implementation of contract lifecycle management processes
• Undertake other duties as reasonably required to support the Legal team and wider business

Qualifications and Experience

• UK-qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate
• Minimum of five years' post qualification experience
• Strong commercial law background: in house experience preferred
• Significant experience (minimum seven years) in negotiating and managing contracts, including post contract issues and dispute resolution (supplier and customer)
• Demonstrable ability to translate operational and commercial input into robust contractual terms
• Highly organised, detail-focused, and able to prioritise effectively against competing deadlines
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Proven ability to provide clear contract analysis and advice on potential or actual disputes
• Ability to work both independently and under direction
• Experience managing multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Flexible and adaptable to changing business needs
• Strong problem solving skills
• Self motivated and proactive
• Confident communicator with a collaborative and approachable style
• Provider of clear, authoritative, and commercially sound legal advice
• Excellent organisational and time management capabilities
• Analytical, detail driven, and risk aware
• Positive, solution focused mindset and strong team ethic
• Confident in challenging information constructively and assessing commercial impact
• Willing to share knowledge and support the development of others, particularly in drafting and contract analysis
• Fluent in spoken and written English

Travel Requirements

The role requires occasional travel across the UK to support leadership teams and operational sites. The Legal team meets face to face once per month.

EEO Statement

MAXIMUS is committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process. We know that feeling included has a dramatic impact on personal wellbeing and are working to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment due to any personal characteristic. Advertisements for posts will include sufficiently clear and accurate information to enable potential applicants to assess their own suitability for the post. We are a Disability Confident Leader, thanks to our commitment to the recruitment, retention and career development of people with disabilities and long term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme includes a guaranteed interview for any applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for a job. When you complete your job application you will find a question asking you if you would like to apply under the Disability Confident Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you feel that you have a disability and apply under this scheme, providing that you meet the essential criteria for the job, you will then be invited for interview. Your Guaranteed Interview application will only be shared with the hiring manager and the local resourcing team. Where reasonable, MAXIMUS will review and consider adjustments for those applicants who express a requirement for them during the recruitment process.