Commercial Legal Director - Public Sector

JMC Legal Recruitment; Bristol; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A top 50 UK law firm in Bristol is seeking a Legal Director for its Tier 1 Public Sector Team. This role involves leading on complex public sector projects, mentoring junior staff, and driving business development. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor with substantial experience in commercial contracts. The firm offers a market-leading benefits package, hybrid working options, and a clear pathway to partnership.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Profit share and performance bonus

Life assurance

Qualifications

• Substantial commercial contracts experience, ideally with public sector exposure.
• Demonstrable leadership skills to mentor junior lawyers.
• Drive and ambition to progress quickly to partnership.

Responsibilities

• Lead on drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and frameworks.
• Advise clients on public sector matters, including procurement law.
• Collaborate on cross-departmental projects.

Skills

Commercial contracts experience

Leadership skills

Client relationship management

Commercial acumen

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Job description

Overview

Legal Director - Commercial (Public Sector)

Bristol | Top 50 UK law firm | Tier 1 Public Sector Team

Join a nationally recognised, thriving Public Sector Team ranked Tier 1 in Legal 500. This is one of the firm's most profitable and strategically important departments, working with central and local government, executive agencies, police, health authorities and more. The team is experiencing significant growth and is central to the firm's long-term vision, offering the right candidate the opportunity to accelerate their career.

Why Apply

• Legal Director position within a Tier 1 ranked team
• Bristol-based, with flexible hybrid working
• Opportunity to lead on complex, high-profile projects of national importance
• A practice area that is both thriving and one of the most profitable within the firm
• For the right candidate, significant scope for fast progression to partnership

The Role

• Lead on drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, frameworks and collaboration agreements
• Advise clients on a wide range of public sector matters, including procurement law and public law advisory work
• Play a key role in business development and client relationship management
• Collaborate with colleagues across Property, Planning, Construction, Litigation & Social Housing on cross-departmental projects

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor with substantial commercial contracts experience (ideally with public sector exposure)
• Demonstrable leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and support junior lawyers
• Strong commercial acumen and confidence in developing client relationships
• Drive and ambition to progress rapidly to partnership

Benefits

• Market leading benefits package including generous holiday allowance, private healthcare, pension scheme, profit share and performance bonus, life assurance
• Hybrid working & flexible policies
• Genuine opportunity for partnership progression within a thriving and profitable practice

This is a rare opportunity for a Legal Director to join a high-performing Public Sector team with a proven track record of success, and to build a clear pathway to partnership at a top 50 UK law firm.