The role is to support English and Welsh solicitors grow their global footprint by improving how they operate overseas and to promote their international expertise. You will promote the solicitor brand globally, the benefits of using English and Welsh law to international business, as well as to highlight England and Wales as a Global Legal Centre.
Passionate about international relations, you’ll be responsible for understanding the global landscape of the legal services industry, from engaging with business, regulators and governmental/non-governmental organisations in the UK and overseas.
Working in a team of five policy advisers and three policy assistants, reporting to the International Policy Manager, you’ll monitor our external relationships in key markets, seek opportunities to build productive alliances that help to achieve the Law Society’s international objectives. You will have the ability of developing a programme of joint activities including both inward and outward trade missions, as well as organise several policy or business focused seminars and conferences across the year.
You’ll have the aptitude of becoming a subject matter expert in legal services, focusing on market access issues, international trade policy and trade promotion in key geographical markets. You will feel comfortable with working on a range of issues simultaneously. To be able to conduct detailed analysis of the regulatory and policy landscape, make strategic recommendations to inform the Law Society’s position and action. You will feel at ease working within a team, to develop policy positions, produce consultation responses, briefings and lobbying materials in liaison with members, key departments and other stakeholders.
Your work will have a diplomatic, as well as a negotiating and lobbying dimension, because by getting to know our counterparts overseas and by understanding their concerns, you will be able to help solicitors from England and Wales work more effectively in these markets.
What we're looking for
We are looking to recruit three international policy advisers to join the Law Society’s international department. You will be a highly motivated professional, eager to learn and contribute to the Law Society’s international strategy working within a fast-paced international team. Knowledge of one or more of the following regions or countries is advantageous:
Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, ASEAN, India, China, Russia or other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Being able to speak another commonly spoken language other than English, or will have the willingness to quickly develop a language, is also beneficial to the role.
Of graduate calibre or equivalent, with some experience of international policy or business development work, probably gained within a business, membership organisation, government or an NGO is also desirable. A key part of the role is to manage day-to-day relationships with a variety of stakeholders across the membership, as well as with governments, NGOs and business (based in the UK and overseas). Therefore, experience of stakeholder management and organising regular engagement is useful.
What's in it for you
We offer a generous flexible benefits package, a friendly working environment and the opportunity to develop your career within a professional organisation.