Legal Counsel

Job Title: Digital Intelligence Legal Counsel

Location: Frimley (or other UK location) hybrid

Salary: Circa £80,000 dependent on skills & experiences + executive package

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role description:

Provide legal support to Digital Intelligence’s three business units: National Security & Government, Defence and Space. Provide timely and pro-active legal advice to Digital Intelligence’s campaigns, bids and programme delivery, across key territories, advising on a broad range of contractual matters, working collaboratively with Export Control and other functions such as Commercial, Procurement and Finance as part of an integrated business team.

Lead on legal issues such as data protection, intellectual property, disputes and the management of legal entities, while helping maintain our licence to trade through strong governance and compliance. Provide advice on non-English law matters in collaboration with external lawyers, qualified in that non-English law jurisdiction. Continuously seek ways to improve how the Legal function and wider organisation operate and deliver value.

Core duties:

• Providing legal advice and support to campaigns, bids and programme delivery in key territories and advising on a wide range of contractual matters
• Leading on legal-focussed matters including data protection, intellectual property, disputes and the management of legal entities
• Maintaining our “licence to trade” through good governance and compliance
• Working closely with other members of the Legal and Export Control Function and embedding within business teams as a full team member
• Providing advice on non-English law matters in collaboration with external lawyers, qualified in that non-English law jurisdiction
• Proactively suggesting ways to improve how the Legal Function and wider business works and what it delivers

Essential skills:

• UK qualified solicitor or barrister, you will also have appropriate experience in relevant legal disciplines from a leading law firm and/or in-house experience
• Experience drafting and negotiating business-critical contracts across diverse issues in a dynamic environment
• Experience delivering legal advice across a diverse portfolio of matters
• Experience engaging with government bodies and managing international contractual relationships, ideally within defence or similarly regulated sectors, with flexibility to travel as needed to support business priorities

The Digital Intelligence Legal Team:

We are a truly international business. We deal with a vast array of customers, suppliers and industry partners. We are subject to many different legal and regulatory regimes and enter into contracts across the full spectrum of value and complexity. Against this backdrop we need business-focussed legal professionals who can quickly absorb data, pick out the key issues and risks and offer real world solutions at pace. These are our Legal Counsel – the heart of our Legal Function.

You’ll be joining a Legal function that’s been recognised, including recent award wins at The Lawyer Awards 2024 (In-House Commerce & Industry Team of the Year), the Legal Business Awards 2024 (Highly Commended In-House Team of the Year) and shortlisted in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Europe Awards 2024.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 10th June 2026

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.

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