Contracts Manager - Legal

In order to fulfil this role, you will need to be a qualified solicitor or hold a law degree.

Innova Search are proudly representing a UK engineering specialist who supply bespoke engineered products and solutions to some of the largest manufacturing and engineering companies across the UK. The company have been operating for over 80 years and has over 400 staff. The business is widely known for its cutting-edge and bespoke solutions across a wide-array of products.

The Role:

Working within the Legal Team, and reporting to the UK Head of Legal, you will be responsible for assisting with the management and handling of the organisation’s legal affairs and will be expected to offer timely, commercially astute, and legally sound advice, and assistance to personnel within all departments at all levels of seniority across the group.

Commercial contracts and dispute resolution work will form a significant part of your daily workload, but you will also be exposed to a broad range of other legal areas, including compliance, intellectual property, and commercial property work. Additionally, you will act as a local compliance lead and provide support to the group Compliance Team, as required.

Key Duties:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including complex supply and purchasing contracts, intellectual property licenses, non-disclosure agreements, and agency and distribution agreements


• Represent the company's interests and collaborate directly with customers, suppliers, and negotiation teams


• Act as the Compliance Lead for the UK, overseeing the company's adherence to group-wide compliance policies


• Support the development and delivery of internal guidelines, policies, templates, precedents, and legal training to promote best practices within the broader UK operations


• Provide legal counsel, advice, and consultation to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring accurate interpretation and consideration of relevant documentation and information


• Assist the Head of Legal with the investigation, management, and resolution of disputes, including coordinating with external legal counsel when necessary


• Help manage the company’s property portfolio, reviewing commercial leases and licenses to occupy, and working with external counsel as required


• Offer general support to the Head of Legal in meeting the objectives of the Legal Team

Responsibilities:

• Engage directly with third-party customers and suppliers, often independently and with minimal support from key stakeholders


• Apply strong legal and commercial judgment, offering clear recommendations on the best course of action to stakeholders


• Communicate effectively with minimal use of legal jargon to ensure clarity


• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, understanding their needs and motivations


• Provide prompt legal support in response to requests


• Manage multiple projects simultaneously


• Safeguard and strengthen the company’s position in contractual agreements


• Minimise the impact of legal issues and promote early resolution


• Contribute to effective governance


• Ensure your efforts align with the team's performance goals


• Consistently meet time, cost, and quality expectations of clients


• Maintain regular, clear communication with clients to ensure progress stays on track


• Offer practical guidance and support to empower others in their roles


• Use logical reasoning and data-driven evidence to influence others and support your viewpoints


• Collaborate and work cooperatively to achieve agreed outcomes


• Build trusted relationships that support the achievement of business goals

Experience:

Essential:

• You must be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister (ideally obtained within England or Wales)


• A proven track record of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts

Desirable:

• Experience of handling a broad range of legal queries, for example, data protection or intellectual property


• Experienced in dispute resolution

Working Arrangements:

• This role offers hybrid working (4 days on-site, 1-day WFH per week)


• Flexible working (with core hours to be upheld)

Security Clearance:

Due to the nature of the products and services the business offer, the successful applicant must undergo additional Security Clearance & Right to Work vetting.