Senior Legal Counsel – Sole Counsel for UK & Ireland

About the role

We are partnering with a global manufacturing leader to appoint a Senior Legal Counsel who will act as the sole legal adviser for the UK and Ireland operations. This high‑impact position sits at the heart of the business, influencing commercial strategy, risk management and long‑term success.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the sole legal counsel to Sales, Operations, Finance, IT and Health & Safety functions.
• Lead commercial contracting, including equipment, supplier, software and construction agreements (e.g., JCT Design & Build).
• Provide legal input on bids and tenders to support growth while protecting the business.
• Own compliance and governance across GDPR, anti‑bribery, competition law and corporate governance.
• Manage disputes covering contracts, product liability, debt recovery and insolvency.
• Oversee external counsel, ensuring quality and cost control.
• Support strategic projects by identifying and mitigating legal risk early.

Required profile

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent) with strong post‑qualification experience.
• Solid grounding in commercial law and complex contractual environments.
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders in a multifaceted business.
• Experience in engineering, logistics, construction or capital equipment is advantageous.

Required skills

• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication abilities.
• Strong commercial judgement to balance legal risk with business priorities.
• Collaborative, influential approach with cross‑functional teams.
• High integrity, professionalism and proven external counsel management.

What we offer

• Competitive salary up to £100,000.
• Car allowance of £6,600 and performance‑based annual bonus.
• Generous pension contributions (up to 10% match) and comprehensive private medical insurance.
• Income protection and 25‑28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.