About the Role
<p><strong>Job Title: Senior In-house Solicitor</strong></p>
<p><strong>Location: Edgbaston, Birmingham</strong></p>
<p><strong>Salary: Commensurate with role and experience</strong></p>
<p>For the over 35 years, millions of patients have trusted Optical Express with their eye care. We are focused on delivering exceptional patient care, outstanding clinical outcomes and continued investment in our people and technology.</p>
<p>As the UK’s leading private provider of laser eye, premium intraocular lens and cataract surgery, our expert Surgeons undertake more procedures collectively than any other national provider.</p>
<p>The Optical Express team work together, collectively and consistently striving for excellence whilst providing life changing treatments to our patients. We support and respect each other and are committed to a culture of care, trust and integrity.</p>
<p>We are seeking to recruit an experienced Senior In-house Solicitor, to join our legal team. The role is fully office based and will support the Head of Legal in the management of cases and the department.</p>
<p><strong>Role Overview</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Senior In-House Solicitors</strong> to strengthen the Legal function at Optical Express</li>
<li><strong>Reporting directly to the Head of Legal</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Experience & Qualification</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Minimum 5+ years’ Post-Qualification Experience (PQE)</strong> (or equivalent level of experience)</li>
<li><strong>Dual qualification in England & Wales, with qualification in Scots law </strong>desirable but not essential</li>
<li>Background from <strong>in-house, private practice, or mixed experience</strong> welcomed, though not essential</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Scope of Work</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Handling and overseeing <strong>medical malpractice / clinical negligence matters</strong></li>
<li>Broad <strong>general commercial legal workload</strong>, including:
<ul>
<li>Contract drafting, review, and negotiation</li>
<li>Employment law matters (advisory and contentious support)</li>
<li>Regulatory and risk-related legal advice</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Acting as a <strong>key internal legal advisor</strong> to senior stakeholders across the business</li>
<li>Acting as a link to panel solicitor firms around the UK and across Europe</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>External Legal Management</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Working closely with an <strong>approved panel of external instructing solicitors</strong></li>
<li>Managing <strong>sub-specialist legal matters</strong> via external counsel</li>
<li>Instructing and overseeing panel firms <strong>on an agreed / as-required basis</strong>, in alignment with the Head of Legal</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Key Skills & Attributes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Strong <strong>clinical negligence / medical malpractice experience</strong> or demonstrable exposure</li>
<li>Commercially minded with the ability to balance <strong>legal risk and business priorities</strong></li>
<li>Confident managing <strong>multiple workstreams</strong> in a fast-paced environment</li>
<li>Close collaboration with senior leadership</li>
<li>Clear, pragmatic communicator with strong stakeholder-management skills</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Package & Location</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Salary will reflect level of role and experience</strong></li>
<li><strong>33 Days Annual Leave*</strong></li>
<li><strong>Permanent, office-based role</strong></li>
<li>Opportunity to join a <strong>well-established in-house legal team</strong> within a growing healthcare and optical group</li>
</ul>