Legal Counsel (Commercial)

In-House  |  Manchester  |  Newly Created Role

The opportunity

A global business headquartered in Manchester is looking to appoint a Legal Counsel (Commercial) to join its centralised Group Legal Team. This is a newly created role within the Commercial Law function, reporting directly to the Head of Commercial Legal.

The role has been created to support a growing and ambitious legal function recently nominated for In-House Legal Team of the Year. It offers broad exposure to commercial law across both UK and international jurisdictions, including the US, APAC, and Europe.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career commercial lawyer looking to step into a high-visibility in-house position, take ownership of a wide-ranging brief, and build close relationships with senior stakeholders across the business.

The role

Working alongside the Head of Commercial Legal and senior colleagues, you will provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of transactional and advisory matters. Your responsibilities will include:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts, including supply, technology, services, licensing, and partnership agreements
• Advising business stakeholders at Executive and Director level on commercial law risk, deal structures, and contractual terms
• Supporting the business on the commercial legal aspects of strategic transactions and new market entry
• Developing and maintaining contract templates, policies, playbooks, and guidance materials
• Managing engagement with external counsel in a cost-effective and efficient manner
• Contributing to legal projects, process improvement, and knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Horizon-scanning for legislative and regulatory developments with commercial relevance, advising the business accordingly

About you

The ideal candidate will be:

• A qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with up to approximately 3 years' post-qualification experience in commercial law
• Experienced in drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts
• Commercially aware, pragmatic, and solutions-focused in approach
• An effective communicator with confidence engaging non-legal stakeholders
• Well organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities
• Interested in developing knowledge across multiple jurisdictions and business areas
• Enthusiastic about legal operations, technology, and process improvement

Why apply?

• Newly created role with real scope to shape the Commercial Legal function as it scales
• Direct access to and visibility with senior business leadership
• Broad, cross-jurisdictional commercial law experience from day one
• A collaborative, high-performing legal team environment
• Strong platform for career development in a growing global business

Andy Balmer

Think Legal Recruitment  |  To find out more, please get in touch in confidence.

andy@thinklegalrecruitment.co.uk