Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel | Manufacturing & Technology | 5 PQE

About the opportunity

A regional manufacturing and technology group is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel to support its operations across multiple jurisdictions.

Reporting to the Legal Director, you will act as a trusted business partner and provide practical legal advice on complex commercial contracts, strategic transactions, compliance, governance, disputes and intellectual property matters.

The role

• Draft, review and negotiate complex commercial contracts, including customer, supplier and strategic partnership agreements.
• Lead high-value negotiations with multinational customers, key suppliers and business partners.
• Provide practical legal advice on cross-border transactions, regulatory requirements and business risks.
• Support M&A, joint ventures, restructuring and other strategic transactions.
• Advise on compliance, data protection, corporate governance and internal policies.
• Coordinate corporate secretarial matters, board resolutions, statutory filings and corporate records.
• Manage commercial and employment disputes, claims and litigation matters.
• Work with external counsel and other professional advisers where required.
• Support intellectual property matters, including trademark and patent filings.
• Conduct legal and compliance training for internal stakeholders.
• Guide junior legal team members where applicable.
• Improve contract templates, clause banks, legal processes and matter-tracking systems.
• Support the implementation of legal technology, automation and contract management solutions.

Requirements

• A recognised law degree or equivalent qualification.
• More than 5 years of post-qualification experience gained in-house or with an established law firm.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
• Able to provide commercially practical advice and independently manage significant legal matters.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience supporting cross-border businesses and regional operations.
• Exposure to manufacturing, technology or industrial businesses would be advantageous.
• Experience in M&A, corporate governance, compliance, disputes or intellectual property matters would be beneficial.

Why this role

This is a broad, business-facing position offering regional exposure and the opportunity to handle complex commercial and strategic matters. You will work closely with senior stakeholders while helping to strengthen the organisation's legal processes, contract management framework and legal technology capabilities.