Group Technology Counsel

Spirax Group; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading industrial engineering company in the UK seeks a legal expert to provide guidance on procurement matters, focusing initially on technology. The role involves leading contract negotiations, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and advising stakeholders on best practices. Candidates should have post-qualification experience as a solicitor, ideally with multinational corporate in-house experience. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and a pension plan.

Benefits

Competitive salary and discretionary bonus

27 days holiday allowance

Comprehensive private healthcare

Enhanced pension plan and life assurance

Three days’ paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Strong post-qualification experience, ideally from a top-tier law firm.
• In-house experience is preferred.
• Expertise in the manufacturing and IT sectors is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiation and execution of commercial agreements.
• Monitor changes in laws impacting commercial arrangements.
• Guide senior leadership on legal best practices.

Skills

Post-qualification experience as a solicitor

Negotiation and drafting of supplier contracts

Legal judgment and risk assessment

Communication and interpersonal skills

Understanding of data protection law

Education

Solicitor qualified in England and Wales

Job description

Overview

To provide expert legal advice on indirect procurement matters (initial focus being technology), including reviewing, drafting and advising the business on procurement contracts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation, drafting and execution of high-value commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with legal and business objectives.
• Provide legal input during negotiations to achieve optimal contractual outcomes whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Advise on contractual obligations, rights and remedies to protect company interests.
• Adopt and agree the best negotiation strategy with internal stakeholders.
• Ensure all commercial deals comply with laws, regulations, policies, procedures and contracting standards.
• Guide senior leadership on legal best practices.
• Attend business reviews, and any other reviews as directed, to promote legal best practice.
• Monitor and advise on changes in laws and regulations that may impact commercial arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and corporate governance requirements in all contractual dealings.
• Take the lead on issues which could lead to high legal risk or litigation/disputes.

Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement

• Promote best legal practices in the appointment of suppliers.
• Act as a key liaison between internal teams and external suppliers in the negotiation of supplier contracts.
• Identify legal talent and develop potential legal successors.
• Develop a legal team with consistent legal expertise and commercial pragmatism.
• Identify areas of growth and development within the legal team.

Qualifications

• Strong post‑qualification experience as a solicitor, ideally at a top‑tier law firm.
• In‑house legal experience at a multinational corporation (preferred).
• Demonstrated expertise in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating supplier contracts in the manufacturing and IT/technology sectors.
• Proven track record of embedding new systems and processes, such as implementing template contracts.
• Experience delivering training to stakeholders on legal risks and contract terms.
• Solicitor qualified in England and Wales.
• Deep knowledge of commercial contracts, particularly in IT and manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of data protection law.

What You'll Demonstrate

• Company core values at all times.
• Excellent legal judgment and ability to assess and communicate risks clearly.
• Advanced problem‑solving skills, with a solutions‑oriented approach for senior stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; effective in team environments and supplier engagement.

About the Company

Spirax Group is a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi‑national industrial engineering Group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies. Our purpose is to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world. Our technologies play an essential role in critical industrial processes and industrial equipment across industries as diverse as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Power Generation, Semiconductors and Healthcare. With customers in 165 countries, we provide the solutions that sit behind the production of many items used in daily life, from baked beans to mobile phones!

Benefits

• Competitive salary and discretionary bonus.
• Flexible working and 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays).
• Three days’ paid volunteering leave.
• Comprehensive private healthcare.
• Enhanced pension plan and life assurance.
• Optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan.
• Free onsite parking.
• Flexible benefits and access to a personal discounts portal.
• Additional support and benefits through Our Inclusive Group Inclusion Plan.
• Disability confident and committed employer; accessibility guarantees and support for flexible working.