Senior Legal Counsel

I am working exclusively with a highly respected Global Manufacturing Company operating across the UK & Ireland — in their search to hire a Senior Legal Counsel to oversee all legal, governance and compliance matters within the organisation as a Sole Counsel for the UK and Ireland.

This is a Sole Counsel role within a complex, multi‑disciplinary business, offering the chance to directly influence commercial strategy, risk management and long‑term operational success.

As Senior Legal Counsel , you will be the go‑to legal expert for the UK & Ireland business, partnering with senior leaders to drive commercial decisions and manage risk with confidence.

What You’ll Do

• Act as Sole Counsel —trusted adviser to Sales, Operations, Finance, IT and H&S
• Lead commercial contracting , including equipment, supplier, software and construction agreements (incl. JCT Design & Build)
• Drive legal input on bids and tenders , enabling growth while protecting the business
• Own compliance and governance across key areas including GDPR, anti-bribery, competition law and corporate governance
• Manage disputes spanning contracts, product liability, debt recovery and insolvency
• Oversee external counsel , ensuring quality and cost control
• Support strategic projects , identifying and mitigating legal risk early

Why This Role?

• High-impact, standalone position with real influence
• Broad remit across commercial, compliance and strategic legal work
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and business‑critical decisions

About You

You will be a confident, commercially minded legal leader with:

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent).
• Strong post‑qualification experience gained in‑house and/or private practice.
• A solid grounding in commercial law across complex contractual environments.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders in a multifaceted business.
• Industry exposure to engineering, logistics, construction, or capital equipment (advantageous).
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance legal risk against business priorities.
• Collaborative and influential approach, able to work cross‑functionally.
• High integrity and professionalism.
• Proven track record of managing external legal partners and controlling legal spend.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

The Package

• Salary : Up to £100,000
• Pension : Generous employer contributions, up to 10% matched
• Healthcare : Comprehensive private medical insurance
• Protection : Income protection included
• Holiday : 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 days with length of service, plus bank holidays

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