Lead Legal Counsel - Commercial

Michael Page Legal; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 15%

27 days annual leave

Additional company holiday

Leave buy/sell

Pension contributions 8%

Private medical insurance

Digital GP

Flexible working

Professional development

Volunteer time

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The West Midlands-based organisation is seeking a Lead Legal Counsel - Commercial to head the in-house team, advise on high-value contracts and strategic partnerships, and drive commercial governance. You will report to the General Counsel and shape templates, playbooks and guidance across the organisation.

The role requires significant post-qualification experience in commercial contracts, strong leadership and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a large, regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Senior legal lead for commercial contracts, procurement and wider commercial matters.
• Advising on complex and high-value contracts, frameworks, collaboration agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Leading and developing the in-house commercial legal team, including supervising lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants.
• Supporting procurement activity by advising on legal compliance, risk allocation and commercial contracting strategy.
• Managing external legal advisers to ensure consistent quality, value and cost-effective support.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to enable commercial objectives while maintaining appropriate regulatory and governance standards.
• Developing commercial templates, playbooks and practical legal guidance across the organisation.
• Supporting the General Counsel with wider legal leadership and strategic projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on commercial contracts and procurement.
• Lead the in-house commercial legal team and mentor staff.
• Oversee external counsel and ensure value.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

In-house experience

Education

Solicitor with practising certificate

Job description

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Lead Legal Counsel - Commercial to join a major purpose-led organisation in the West Midlands.

Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you'll lead the commercial legal function, advise on strategically important matters and manage and develop a team of lawyers and paralegals.

Client Details

Our client is a large, commercially focused and socially responsible housing organisation that reinvests its surplus into improving homes, services and local communities.

The organisation has created a diverse and inclusive working environment where different perspectives are valued. It also places considerable emphasis on professional development, supporting colleagues through external training, professional qualifications and funded memberships.

Description

The Lead Legal Counsel - Commercial will be:

• Acting as the senior legal lead for commercial contracts, procurement and wider commercial matters.
• Advising on complex and high-value contracts, frameworks, collaboration agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Leading and developing the in-house commercial legal team, including supervising lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants.
• Supporting procurement activity by advising on legal compliance, risk allocation and commercial contracting strategy.
• Managing external legal advisers to ensure consistent quality, value and cost-effective support.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to enable commercial objectives while maintaining appropriate regulatory and governance standards.
• Developing commercial templates, playbooks and practical legal guidance across the organisation.
• Supporting the General Counsel with wider legal leadership and strategic projects.

Profile

The Lead Legal Counsel - Commercial should be:

• A solicitor, barrister or legal executive with significant post-qualification experience in commercial contracts and a current practising certificate.
• Experienced in advising on complex, high-value commercial contracts and strategic arrangements.
• Able to provide clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice within a large or complex organisation.
• Experienced in supervising, mentoring or managing lawyers and other legal professionals.
• Confident engaging with and influencing senior stakeholders across legal, procurement and operational teams.
• Ideally experienced within an in-house, regulated, public sector or not-for-profit environment.
• Familiar with public procurement, framework agreements or regulated contracting arrangements.
• Exposure to the social housing or local government sectors would be advantageous but isn't essential.

Job Offer

This is a genuine legal leadership opportunity offering a salary of £75,000-£85,000, hybrid working and the chance to shape a growing commercial legal function.

The wider benefits package includes:

• Group bonus potential of up to 15% of salary.
• 27 days' annual leave, increasing with service.
• Bank holidays plus an additional company holiday.
• The ability to buy or sell up to five days' annual leave.
• Employer-matched pension contributions of up to 8%.
• Employer-funded private medical insurance and access to a 24/7 digital GP.
• Enhanced family-friendly benefits and flexible working options.
• Healthcare, dental, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.
• Professional development, external training and funded professional memberships.
• Paid volunteering time and access to a comprehensive employee assistance programme.