In-House Paralegal / Legal Executive (Commercial Contracts) in Bristol

Overview

The Business TSR Legal is working with a well-established UK group comprising several specialist businesses operating across performance, entertainment, education, and commercial environments. The group delivers a broad range of projects, products, and services, including engineering, systems integration, facilities management, and technical project delivery. While each subsidiary brings its own specialist expertise, the group operates under a shared commitment to quality, safety, and integrity. Following continued growth - including a recent acquisition - the group is strengthening its commercial and governance capability to support consistent standards, robust risk management, and long-term sustainability across the business.

The Opportunity

We are recruiting an In-House Paralegal or Legal Executive to provide legal and commercial support across all group companies. This is a newly created role, reporting directly to the Group Commercial Director, offering exposure to a diverse portfolio of commercial contracts, public procurement matters, construction-related documentation, and framework agreements. The position may be appointed at Paralegal / Senior Paralegal or Legal Executive level, depending on experience. The role has been designed with clear progression in mind, with increasing responsibility, autonomy, and remuneration as capability develops. The successful candidate will play a key role in reviewing, negotiating, and managing contractual documentation, while helping to embed group-wide commercial standards and reduce reliance on external legal advisers.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, and advise on client, subcontractor, and supplier contracts (including NEC, JCT, and bespoke agreements), with some drafting as required
• Develop and maintain standard terms and conditions appropriate to different subsidiaries and revenue lines
• Support bids and tenders, ensuring compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and relevant procurement frameworks
• Coordinate contract management activities, including templates, registers, and document repositories
• Track and report on contractual obligations, variations, and risk exposure across the group
• Work closely with the Group Commercial Director to resolve legal and commercial queries, escalating externally only where necessary
• Support facilities management and framework agreements, including service level and performance documentation
• Contribute to governance and compliance initiatives
• Assist with the development of internal training materials, checklists, and commercial guidance for project and sales teams

Progression Focus

As the role develops, you will have increasing opportunity to:

• Act as a first-line legal adviser to project, sales, and commercial teams
• Take ownership of contract negotiations within agreed parameters
• Lead best practice and standardisation initiatives across the group
• Manage external legal advisers when specialist advice is required

About You

You will enjoy working across multiple businesses and contract types, balancing technical accuracy with commercial pragmatism. You will be comfortable dealing with senior stakeholders as well as operational teams, providing clear, practical advice.

Essential Experience

• 3-5 years' experience in commercial legal work (in-house or private practice)
• Strong understanding of UK contract law and public procurement
• Demonstrable experience reviewing and negotiating complex commercial contracts
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Candidates with slightly less formal experience but strong commercial capability will be considered.

Desirable

• Experience within construction, engineering, or technical services environments
• Familiarity with NEC and JCT contracts
• CILEX qualification, LPC/SQE preparation, or equivalent paralegal certification
• Experience supporting governance or compliance functions

Core Competencies

• Analytical, detail-focused, and commercially aware
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities
• Collaborative, with the ability to work across multiple business units

Why Apply

• Opportunity to shape a newly created in-house legal role
• Exposure to a broad range of commercial and contractual work
• Hybrid and flexible working environment
• Clear development and progression pathway
• Direct interaction with senior leadership and strategic decision-making
• Access to a comprehensive benefits package and additional work perks

How to Apply

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Rachel Phillips, Associate Director at TSR Legal with your CV, quoting "In-House Paralegal / Legal Executive - Commercial Contracts".