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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic legal team, providing agile support on client and supplier contracts.
- Company: Join Oliver James, a forward-thinking legal team in Manchester with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Be part of a growing team with opportunities for professional growth and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering practical legal advice that drives business success.
- Qualifications: Qualified legal professional with extensive experience in commercial law and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and making a difference in the legal field.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This is a newly created, high-impact role within the Group Global Legal team at Oliver James, based in Manchester. As Head of Commercial Legal, you will lead and develop a team of talented legal professionals with a core focus on delivering agile, commercial legal support across our client and supplier contracts, driving smart, scalable solutions for our fast-moving global business and new service lines. You will work closely with the Chief Legal Officer and key senior stakeholders across the Group to deliver practical, commercially-oriented legal advice, and contribute to the development of a legal function that is integral to business success.
We are looking for someone who is dynamic, collaborative, and solution-focused - not a black-letter lawyer, but a pragmatic trusted advisor with sound judgment and a passion for enabling growth.
What We’re Looking For
- Qualified legal professional with significant post-qualification experience in commercial law
- Extensive experience negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts, ideally across multiple jurisdictions, including the USA
- Proven ability to lead and inspire legal professionals (qualified and non-qualified), fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and support
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives
- A team player who thrives in a collaborative, values-driven environment
- Genuine interest in digitisation, legal operations, and innovation in service delivery
- Outstanding communicator - able to cut through complexity and provide concise, actionable advice
- Culturally aligned, with a down-to-earth, can-do positive attitude and a focus on team contribution
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing commercial legal team, ensuring professional growth and clear delivery standards
- Oversee and drive commercial legal service delivery, with a focus on client and supplier contracts, quality negotiation, and risk management
- Be a trusted legal partner to the business, building strong relationships and delivering pragmatic, solution-oriented advice
- Continuously improve legal processes, documentation, and templates for scalability and efficiency
- Maintain clear reporting of commercial legal risks in line with Group frameworks
- Manage external counsel effectively to ensure value and alignment with internal goals
- Support the Chief Legal Officer on legal and Group projects as needed
- Champion a legal team culture that is collaborative, dynamic, and focused on enabling the business
Why Join Oliver James?
At Oliver James, we don’t just want a technically excellent lawyer - we want someone who will be a cultural asset to our team: someone who is forward-thinking, practical, and eager to make a difference. You’ll be part of a growing, ambitious legal function that works at the heart of the business and plays a visible role in its continued success.
Oliver James is committed to equal opportunity. We value and embrace diversity and inclusion of all team members.
Head of Legal - Commercial in Manchester employer: Oliver James
Contact Detail:
Oliver James Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal - Commercial in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might know someone at Oliver James. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding their culture and values. Oliver James is all about collaboration and innovation, so think of examples from your past that showcase your dynamic and solution-focused approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've inspired and developed teams in the past. They want someone who can lead a high-performing legal team, so highlight your coaching experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Oliver James family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal - Commercial in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Legal - Commercial role. Highlight your commercial law expertise and any leadership experience you've had, as we want to see how you can inspire a team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for commercial law and how you can contribute to our dynamic team. Be sure to mention your interest in digitisation and innovation, as these are key to us.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As an outstanding communicator, it's important to demonstrate this in your application. Use clear and concise language, and make sure to cut through any complexity when explaining your experiences and achievements.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This not only streamlines the process but also shows your enthusiasm for joining Oliver James. Plus, it’s the best way for us to keep track of your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oliver James
✨Know Your Commercial Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your commercial law knowledge, especially around complex contracts and negotiations. Be prepared to discuss specific cases where you've successfully navigated legal challenges, as this will showcase your expertise and practical approach.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, think of examples that highlight your ability to inspire and develop others. Prepare to talk about how you've fostered a culture of excellence and accountability in previous roles, as this will resonate well with their focus on team dynamics.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Acumen
Oliver James is looking for someone who can balance legal risk with business objectives. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to business growth through your legal advice, and think about how you can align legal strategies with the company's goals.
✨Be a Problem Solver
Prepare to share examples of how you've provided pragmatic, solution-oriented legal advice in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to simplify complex legal issues and deliver actionable recommendations, as this aligns perfectly with what they're seeking in a trusted advisor.