Legal Services Manager (part time)

Are you a legal specialist with experience in managing commercial contracts? Are you ready to take on a pivotal role as the sole legal professional in house? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Join our client as a Legal Services Manager where you will be at the heart of our client’s operations, taking full ownership of the contracting process and having the opportunity to support the CEO with high-stakes contract negotiations.

• Part-time, permanent contract
• 20-25 hours per week (can be split over 5 days or 3 specific days)
• Salary range of £50,000- £55,000 FTE p.a. (pro-rated for the part time hours)
• Home based, with occasional travel to their Manchester/London office and external meetings, as required (all travel costs will be reimbursed)

The role involves managing the end-to-end contracting process with new study centres, universities and suppliers, with a split of around 50:50 UK:international contracts. As the only legal professional in-house, you will provide support to internal colleagues, triage matters, and either handle them yourself or outsource for relevant legal expertise. Engaging with universities and study centres to foster partnerships will also be a key part of your role. Occasionally, you will attend ad-hoc in-person meetings, primarily international and for new business. Additionally, you will receive mentoring on broader commercial aspects to enhance your skills, and will have the opportunity to participate in contract negotiations, alongside the CEO.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Provide in-house legal guidance related to the design, processing, and administration of commercial contracts within a growth-oriented business environment.
• Monitor contract lifecycles, including highlighting upcoming expiries.
• Support the Business Development team by reviewing contracts and drafting updates for business partners.
• Identify commercial risks during contract negotiations and advise or escalate issues as appropriate.
• Assist with contract exit arrangements and provide legal input on commercial dispute resolution.
• Take ownership of day-to-day administration of the partner contract portfolio.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract management processes.

The ideal candidate should have:

• Degree level qualification
• Proven experience supporting the review of commercial contracts and providing legal input.
• Skilled in identifying potential risks and assessing their impact on the business.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor contract timelines and proactively manage renewals.
• Proficient in reviewing and proofreading extensive and complex documents for accuracy, consistency, and clarity.
• Prior experience with Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems, ideally in an administrative capacity with integration knowledge.
• Strong comprehension skills with the ability to analyse and interpret legal contracts in a B2B context.
• Confident in translating legal terminology into clear, accessible language for non-legal stakeholders.
• Solid project management capabilities, overseeing contract processes from initiation through to completion.
• Ideally, experience of negotiating contract terms with suppliers and customers.

Personal Qualities:

• Self-starter, independent, creative thinker, and common sense oriented, with the ability to exercise good judgment.
• Effective, organised with the ability to manage multiple demands.
• Positive, enthusiastic, and proactive approach to work.
• Ability to work to tight timescales with a sense of urgency.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Commitment towards developing an open, honest, and respectful culture.

Our client is a global organisation in the education sector.

Interested? For a confidential conversation with FJWilson Talent before applying, please contact us on 0203 195 3600, or email us at resourcingteam@fjwilson.com.