Director - Commercial & Legal

Director - Commercial & Legal

Manchester Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead legal negotiations and manage project risks in engineering installations.
  • Company: Join a renowned engineering group focused on growth and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, executive perks, and opportunities for promotion.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact while shaping the future of the business.
  • Qualifications: Strong commercial background in engineering and experience managing risk.
  • Other info: This is a confidential appointment with potential for long-term influence.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

An industry renowned engineering group are looking to appoint a Commercial Director as part of their growth plans. This senior role is hands-on and high-impact—designed to relieve the Managing Director of key legal, contractual, and project risk responsibilities. You'll shape commercial outcomes across £100,000 to £3,000,000 installations, while owning contractual and legal risk from bid through to completion as well as playing a huge part in shaping the business through growth and improvement plan.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead legal and contractual negotiations, managing legal risk in engineering projects, and embedding strong exit strategies into agreements.
  • Full commercial oversight—from defining processes and protecting margins to guiding pricing and cost tracking—while ensuring risks are identified early and mitigated effectively.
  • Oversee health and safety compliance, manage internal recruitment and HR in partnership with advisors, and drive business improvement initiatives by supporting the MD, launching new ventures, and implementing scalable systems to reduce operational exposure.

Legal & Contracts

  • Lead contract negotiations with clients and suppliers.
  • Draft and review bespoke agreements and standard terms.
  • Own legal risk across engineering installations.
  • Build strong exit strategies into project agreements.

Commercial Oversight

  • Define commercial processes from quote to completion.
  • Protect margins through smart structuring and cost control.
  • Guide pricing strategies and track costs dynamically.
  • Build commercial sign-off tools for lifecycle changes.

Project Risk

  • Identify and mitigate operational risk pre- and post-sale.
  • Support teams with practical, contractual protection.
  • Flag early risks in tender docs and client communication.

Health & Safety

  • Lead internal H&S strategy (supported by H&S Manager).
  • Own external representation and ensure compliance.

HR & Culture

  • Partner with external HR advisors on ER, hiring, and compliance.
  • Own internal recruitment across engineering and commercial functions.

Business Improvement

  • Act as internal advisor to MD and functional heads.
  • Support the launch of group ideas and new ventures.
  • Implement systems that enable scale and reduce exposure.

What You’ll Need

  • Strong commercial background in engineering.
  • Solid understanding of contractual language.
  • Experience managing risk in modular installations.
  • History of leading contracts from bid to install.
  • Credibility with senior clients and technical teams.
  • Hands-on approach—willing to get into the detail.
  • Process mindset—able to build systems that drive profit.
  • Bonus if you bring: Understanding of mechanical build environments.

What’s in it for you?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking business who value growth and improvement, allowing you to make a significant positive impact on where they go. This role could see future promotion opportunities too.

Benefits & Package

  • Highly competitive base salary.
  • Executive benefits (final package to be confirmed).
  • Leadership role with long-term strategic influence.
  • Autonomy to build commercial capability from the ground up.

Application Process

Once you have applied I will arrange an initial pre-screening call and if relevant will share your CV with the MD/FD. Initial interviews with the Managing Director and Finance Director will be held onsite. Second stage may include meeting with wider functional leads. This is confidential appointment so full business details will not be shared until an interview has been requested.

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Contact Detail:

White Label Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director - Commercial & Legal

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the engineering and legal sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who may have insights into the company or role. This can help you gain valuable information and potentially get a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Research the company's recent projects and initiatives. Understanding their current challenges and successes will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, demonstrating your genuine interest and how your skills can contribute to their growth.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to manage legal risks and lead contract negotiations. Highlighting these instances will illustrate your hands-on approach and credibility with senior clients.

✨Tip Number 4

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in the engineering sector, particularly those related to health and safety compliance. Being knowledgeable about these topics will position you as a well-informed candidate who can drive business improvement initiatives effectively.

We think you need these skills to ace Director - Commercial & Legal

Contract Negotiation
Legal Risk Management
Commercial Oversight
Project Risk Identification
Health and Safety Compliance
Process Development
Cost Control
Pricing Strategy
Stakeholder Engagement
Team Leadership
HR Management
Business Improvement Initiatives
Strong Communication Skills
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your strong commercial background in engineering and experience managing risk in modular installations. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead contracts from bid to install.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of contractual language and your hands-on approach. Explain how your process mindset can contribute to building systems that drive profit for the company.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your credibility with senior clients and technical teams. Mention any previous roles where you successfully managed legal and contractual negotiations, as this is crucial for the position.

Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions related to health and safety compliance and business improvement initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you would support the Managing Director and implement scalable systems to reduce operational exposure.

How to prepare for a job interview at White Label Recruitment

✨Understand the Role Thoroughly

Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of the Director - Commercial & Legal position. Familiarise yourself with the company's projects and their approach to risk management, as this will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Given the hands-on nature of this role, be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've successfully managed legal risks or led contract negotiations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a senior role, demonstrating your leadership capabilities is crucial. Be prepared to share examples of how you've driven business improvement initiatives or managed teams in previous roles, highlighting your ability to influence and guide others towards achieving commercial goals.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the company's growth plans and how the role contributes to those objectives. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if the company aligns with your career aspirations.

Director - Commercial & Legal
White Label Recruitment
Location: Manchester
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