Senior Legal Counsel

Location: Near Wotton-under-Edge, UK (between Cheltenham and Bristol) - 2-3 days per week in the office.

Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Overview

An FTSE 250 engineering company with its headquarters in the heart of the English countryside, is looking for a Senior General Commercial Lawyer to join their dynamic legal team for a 12-month fixed-term contract. The company’s office is nestled between Cheltenham and Bristol, offering stunning views and a peaceful working environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a curious and intellectual mindset to work on a broad range of commercial legal matters within a forward-thinking international engineering company. Given the technical nature of the business, the role will require a keen interest in learning and working with complex products and markets outside the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate sales contracts, including agreements related to products and distribution.
• Provide support to the business on sales-related matters, ensuring all agreements comply with relevant legal frameworks.
• Purchasing Support: Support the purchasing department with product procurement contracts, ensuring compliance with internal processes and legal requirements.
• Work on complex products and the related agreements, making the role both challenging and intellectually stimulating.
• Distribution Agreements: Draft and negotiate distribution agreements to support the company’s global reach and ensure smooth business operations across various international markets.
• R&D Projects: Provide legal support for research and development activities, often in collaboration with universities. The work is diverse and will provide exposure to cutting-edge technology.
• Internal Projects: Get involved in various internal projects across different legal areas. There is scope to raise your hand and specialise in areas of interest such as data privacy, SaaS contracts, competition, property, and procurement.
• General Commercial Advice: Provide day-to-day commercial legal support across the business, including advice on intellectual property, risk management, and compliance.
• Work with cross-functional teams to identify and address legal issues impacting the business.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience:
  • Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with at least 5 years of experience in general commercial law.
  • Experience with drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts, including sales, procurement, and distribution agreements.
  • Exposure to technically complex products and the ability to understand and advise on legal matters related to engineering or technology would be advantageous.
• Skills:
  • Strong commercial acumen and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to handle complex and technical issues.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with senior stakeholders and internal teams.
  • An intellectually curious mindset, keen to learn and apply legal knowledge in a fast-evolving industry.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work efficiently in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
  • Experience or a keen interest in specialising in areas such as data privacy, SaaS contracts, competition law, or procurement.
  • Prior experience in an international or engineering-related business environment is beneficial but not essential.

Personal Attributes

• A collaborative and team-focused approach with a strong commitment to supporting colleagues across the business.
• Ability to work autonomously and take initiative in managing your caseload.
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to continuously develop professionally.
• Strong attention to detail with a proactive attitude towards problem-solving.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Legal

Industries

Engineering Services and Software Development