Senior Legal Counsel
- milton keynes, england, United Kingdom
- Permanent·On-site
- Full time
- £90 - £110 Per Hour
Job Description
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


