Contracts Lawyer

Michael Page Legal; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

AI-enabled contracting initiatives

Career development

Job summary

Michael Page Legal is seeking an experienced Contracts Lawyer to join its Risk & Compliance function. The role focuses on advising on client and supplier contracts, managing contractual risk and supporting commercial and regulatory objectives across jurisdictions.

8+ years' PQE with strong drafting, negotiation and risk management skills will be essential. The role offers a hybrid, international remit and opportunities to leverage AI-enabled contracting initiatives.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' PQE in private practice, in-house legal or risk & compliance environments.
• Strong experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Knowledge of professional services contracts and associated legal risks.
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements relevant to law firms.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance legal risk with commercial priorities.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Contract Review & Negotiation: Review, draft and negotiate client engagement terms, supplier agreements and SLAs.
• Risk & Compliance Advisory: Identify, assess and mitigate legal and regulatory risks arising from contracts.
• Stakeholder Management: Build trusted relationships with partners and business services professionals.
• Process Improvement: Develop contract management processes and support AI-enabled solutions.
• Training & Knowledge Sharing: Deliver training and develop guidance notes and templates.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract review

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Data protection

Cross-border contracting

Tools

Contract lifecycle management systems

Job description

An international law firm is seeking an experienced Contracts Lawyer to join its Risk & Compliance function. This role will focus on advising on client and supplier contracts, managing contractual risk, and supporting the firm's commercial and regulatory objectives across multiple jurisdictions.

Client Details

Our client is a leading international law firm with a strong reputation across dispute resolution, regulatory and advisory services. With a significant global footprint and a collaborative culture, the firm is committed to innovation, operational excellence and delivering high-quality legal services to a diverse client base.

The business places considerable importance on risk management and governance, investing heavily in its people, technology and processes to maintain best-in-class compliance standards across its global network.

Description

Contract Review & Negotiation

• Review, draft and negotiate client engagement terms, supplier agreements, framework agreements, SLAs and other commercial contracts.
• Advise stakeholders on contractual obligations, legal risks and compliance considerations.
• Support negotiations with clients and suppliers to achieve commercially balanced outcomes.
• Provide guidance on key contractual provisions including liability, indemnities, confidentiality, intellectual property, termination rights, insurance requirements and data protection.

Risk & Compliance Advisory

• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and regulatory risks arising from contractual arrangements.
• Advise on compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including professional conduct obligations.
• Support the development and enhancement of contractual risk policies, procedures and guidance.
• Ensure contractual arrangements align with internal governance frameworks and approval processes.

Stakeholder Management

• Build trusted relationships with partners, lawyers and business services professionals.
• Act as the firm's internal subject matter expert on contract-related matters.
• Work closely with wider Risk & Compliance teams, including Financial Crime, Data Risk and New Business Intake functions.

Process Improvement

• Assist in the ongoing development of contract management processes and systems.
• Support the implementation of technology-driven and AI-enabled solutions to improve efficiency.
• Analyse contractual risk trends and recommend improvements to processes and controls.

  Training & Knowledge Sharing

  • Deliver training on contractual risk and compliance matters.
  • Develop practical guidance notes, templates and playbooks.
  • Monitor legal and regulatory developments impacting professional services contracts and communicate key updates to stakeholders.

  Profile

  • 8+ years' PQE in private practice, in-house legal or risk & compliance environments.
  • Strong experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
  • Knowledge of professional services contracts and associated legal risks.
  • Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements relevant to law firms.
  • Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to balance legal risk with commercial priorities.
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

  Desirable experience includes:

  • Law firm Risk & Compliance or Office of General Counsel experience.
  • Knowledge of data protection, information security and supplier governance frameworks.
  • Experience with contract lifecycle management systems.
  • Exposure to international contracting and cross-border legal matters.

  Job Offer

  • Opportunity to join a highly regarded global Risk & Compliance team.
  • Exposure to complex, international contractual matters.
  • A strategic advisory role with senior stakeholder interaction.
  • Strong investment in career development, mentoring and training.
  • Collaborative and supportive working environment.
  • Exposure to technology-led and AI-enabled contracting initiatives.
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.