Make your mark at BRE!
BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.
Join BRE at a time of growth and transformation, where your legal expertise will directly support impactful work across research, certification and innovation. This is a varied, hands-on role where you’ll help the business move forward with confidence—balancing legal risk with commercial reality.
Your role at BRE
As Legal Counsel, you’ll play a key role in supporting BRE’s day-to-day commercial activity, working closely with teams across the organisation.
You will:
Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including service agreements, consultancy contracts, NDAs, licensing and framework agreements
Provide clear, practical legal advice on compliance and regulatory matters, including data protection and intellectual property
Support procurement and supply chain activities with pragmatic legal input
Advise internal stakeholders on legal risks and enable informed decision-making
Contribute to governance activities, including policies, procedures and risk management frameworks
Help develop legal templates, tools and internal training to improve consistency and efficiency
What we are looking for
We’re looking for a commercially minded legal professional who can provide pragmatic advice in a fast-paced environment.
You’ll bring:
Qualification as a UK solicitor with a current practising certificate
Experience drafting and negotiating a range of commercial contracts (in-house or private practice)
A strong understanding of contract and commercial law
Awareness of areas such as data protection, intellectual property and general compliance
The ability to balance legal risk with practical business outcomes
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
Why join BRE
At BRE, you’ll be part of an organisation with a clear purpose—advancing the built environment through research, testing, certification and innovation.
In this role, you’ll benefit from:
A broad and varied legal remit across multiple business areas
The opportunity to influence real commercial decisions
A supportive and collaborative team environment
Exposure to complex and evolving legal challenges
BRE Benefits
At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.
Financial & Security Benefits
Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution
Life assurance – 4x your basic salary
Enhanced maternity package
Health & Wellbeing
HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more
Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points
Career Development
For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits
Location and working pattern
This role is based in Watford, with a hybrid working arrangement requiring 1–3 days per month on site, or as needed.
Recruitment timeline
Application closing date: Sunday, 12th July 2026
AI interview stage (via Ryan): 13th July - 17th July 2026
Final interview stage: W/C 27th July 2026
Our Recruitment Process
As part of our recruitment process we will be conducting 10-30 minute phone screening calls via an AI recruiter called Ryan with all shortlisted candidates. The information gathered from this screening will be used to help assess your suitability for the position.
Note to Employment Agencies
At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.
Equal Opportunities Statement
BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.
