Senior Legal Counsel - IT, IP & Data (Sizewell C)

Are you looking for a career which is rewarding, at the cutting edge of project development and where you can really make a difference? Come and join our expanding Sizewell C (SZC) team and work on one of the most exciting and largest megaprojects in the UK, whilst being at the forefront of the UK's climate change agenda and energy policy. Following on from the success of Hinkley Point C (HPC), the SZC Project is a nuclear new build project in Suffolk, which has obtained planning approval and Government financing support. The project has started construction and is now seeking private investment. When completed, it will provide dependable electricity to 6 million homes for 60 years, which along with renewables, will support Britain to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel for IT, IP and Data.
Our teams are set up to work flexibly, with a hybrid working approach between our offices and your home. We provide a full suite of IT equipment to ensure that our employees can work from home comfortably and effectively.

The Role

Our legal team provides support and advice to the SZC project on legal issues. Within this role, there will be a particular focus on legal issues relating to IT,IP and data protection work. You'll be involved in the negotiation of complex legal agreements on behalf of SZC and will need to draft and interpret legal documentation in a commercially pragmatic way, in full support of our delivery teams. We're looking for someone who will promote good corporate governance across the organisation and work closely with our delivery functions to ensure SZC meets its requirements whilst supporting our delivery schedule., As Senior Legal Counsel - IT/IP, you will:

Lead and manage all legal aspects related to IT and IP for the Sizewell C project, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts and agreements.

Advise stakeholders on IT and IP risks and strategies, including software licensing, technology procurement, data privacy, cyber security, patents, trademarks, and copyright issues.

Collaborate with internal teams such as IT, engineering, procurement, and external counsel, ensuring legal advice aligns with business objectives.

Manage IP portfolios, including registrations, protection strategies, and enforcement of IP rights.

Provide guidance on compliance with GDPR, data protection regulations, and cybersecurity standards.

Stay current with relevant laws and regulations to ensure Sizewell C remains compliant with evolving IT/IP legislation.

Resolve disputes related to IT/IP issues, including managing litigation or alternative dispute resolution processes when necessary.

Support contract negotiations for significant technology and IT infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with project timelines and objectives.

Ensure governance over third-party software providers and other vendors, ensuring robust protection of intellectual property and confidential information.

Mentor and lead junior members of the legal team as appropriate.

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate in the UK.

Proven expertise in IT and IP law, ideally within the energy, infrastructure, or technology sectors.

Minimum of 8+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in a top-tier law firm or in-house legal team.

Strong experience in drafting and negotiating complex IT contracts, software licensing agreements, and technology-related contracts.

Experience managing IP portfolios, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Strong knowledge of data protection law, including GDPR and cybersecurity regulations.

Excellent negotiation skills with a proven ability to lead and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Strong understanding of contract law and regulatory compliance within a large-scale infrastructure or technology environment.

EDF Energy is a core part of the EDF Group, one of the largest energy companies in Europe with key business operations in the UK, France, Italy and Belgium. We're the UK's largest producer of low-carbon electricity, the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain, the largest supplier to British businesses and we employ more than 13,000 people. We operate nuclear, coal and gas power stations, wind farms, and combined heat & power plants. We have a focus on safe, dependable energy generation and an ethos of service excellence. We are playing a leading role in new nuclear build in the UK to secure a bright future for the combined business and its employees., #DestinationNuclear
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Power in Diversity
Sizewell C is a great place to work, where everyone is welcome.
To fulfil our commitment of doing the power of good for Britain, our ambition is to have a workforce which reflects and benefits the society we are part of and serve. Every worker on SZC, wherever they are, should help to create and experience the right environment where everyone on the team understands, respects and embraces diversity with a culture where everyone is treated with equal respect and are all given equal access to opportunities. By valuing the different points of view and experiences that having a diverse team brings, and by fostering an inclusive climate, we will create a great place to work and a more successful project.
We create the right environment where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work. Whilst working together there is mutual trust and appreciation created through the building of meaningful relationships with one another, aligned with our key values:
Respect: Value the rules and environment in which we operate
Positivity: Positively challenge poor quality and performance
Humility: Be open to other's points of view and ideas, be willing to debate and to compromise
Solidarity: One team, working closely together and helping each other
Clarity: Communicate clearly and consistently

Competitive Salary and Benefits
We're dedicated to offering flexible benefits that support our people across all aspects of their lives and we're delighted to offer a range of benefits to support our employees' physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a market-leading company pension scheme, paid holidays and a range of flexible benefits, such as: a company incentive bonus plan, health cover, cycle to work scheme, discounts and employee pricing.
Please let us know if you'd like to discuss flexible working arrangements by highlighting this on your application.