Commercial and Legal Manager

Birketts LLP; Brierley Hill; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal services firm is seeking a Legal Director to join their Manchester team, focusing on commercial contracts, IP management, and legal support. The ideal candidate should have at least 3 years of experience in a similar role within hi-tech manufacturing, possess strong contract negotiation skills, and be adept in analytical detail. The role requires regular site attendance in Lincoln, offering the opportunity to influence key client relationships in social infrastructure and utilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience in a similar commercial/legal role within hi-tech production or manufacturing.
• Strong experience in contract management and negotiation.
• Excellent analytical skills with attention to contractual detail.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, draft, negotiate, and implement various commercial and legal documents.
• Oversee patents and trademarks applications and maintenance.
• Contribute to formulation of commercial procedures and policies.

Skills

Contract management and negotiation

Analytical skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Business judgement

Education

Degree-level business or legal qualification

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., Epicor)

Job description

Commercial Contracts & Agreements

• Evaluate, draft, negotiate, and implement a range of commercial and legal documents, including: International and national multi‑party agreements, R&D collaboration and consortium agreements, standard terms & conditions, sales contracts, frame agreements, representative, distributor, consultancy and confidentiality agreements, external funding agreements (EU & Innovate UK), complex quotations, tenders, licence agreements, settlements, assignment agreements, ancillary commercial documents (performance guarantees, bank guarantees), supply agreements and software licences.
• Engage specialist legal advice as needed and manage external legal advisors.

Intellectual Property (IP) Management

• Oversee patents and trademarks (applications, renewals, maintenance).
• Manage IP assignments, trade secrets, and confidentiality issues.
• Handle counterfeiting and infringement cases.
• Engage and manage external IP advisors.

Commercial Procedures & Policies

• Contribute to formulation and implementation of commercial procedures and company policies.

Finance, Legal & Commercial Support

• Maintain contracts database.
• Play a key role in major transactions (e.g., sale/leaseback, sale of businesses, due diligence).
• Support litigation and dispute resolution processes.
• Manage product liability claims.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years experience in a similar commercial/legal role within hi‑tech production or manufacturing.
• Strong experience in contract management and negotiation.
• Excellent analytical skills with attention to contractual detail.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor).
• Degree‑level business or legal qualification.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Ability to analyse and assess contractual risks.
• Skilled in drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial documents.
• Ability to execute agreements and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong business judgement and trusted advisor capability across all levels.
• Experience managing external advisors and confidential information.

Desirable

• Experience in hi‑tech manufacturing or production environments.

Additional Requirements

MUST BE ABLE TO ATTEND SITE IN LINCOLN, UK AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK.

Company

As part of our ongoing growth strategy, we are looking for a Legal Director to join the Manchester Infrastructure, Projects & Energy team to help service their ever‑growing roster of clients across social infrastructure, energy and utilities.