Legal Counsel – NQ-4 PQE

JR United Kingdom; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in manufacturing is seeking a junior lawyer to join their in-house legal team in Exeter. This role offers a diverse range of commercial and compliance work, providing autonomy within a supportive environment. With the opportunity for mentoring and professional development, it's ideal for those looking to grow in their legal careers.

Benefits

Ongoing mentoring from senior lawyers

Exposure to international legal matters

Collaborative legal team culture

Qualifications

• Up to 4 years PQE; NQ's considered.
• Strong grounding in commercial contracts and corporate law.
• Experience in manufacturing or industrial sectors is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating contracts across various sectors.
• Advising on legal queries and supporting internal stakeholders.
• Supporting compliance initiatives and managing external counsel.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Commercial Mindset

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

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We’re working with a global leader in manufacturing and infrastructure on a fantastic opportunity for a junior lawyer to join their high-performing in-house legal team. This role offers broad exposure to a wide range of commercial and compliance matters across a complex, international business - ideal for someone seeking variety and career development within a well-established, supportive environment.

This is a true generalist in-house role, offering a high level of autonomy and visibility across the business. Reporting into senior legal stakeholders, you’ll provide day-to-day legal and compliance support across the organisation’s UK and EMEA operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts: manufacturing, sales, distribution, procurement, and project-related agreements
• Advising on day-to-day legal queries across commercial operations and supporting internal stakeholders with practical, risk-aware guidance
• Supporting ethics and compliance initiatives - internal investigations, training, policy development, anti-bribery and corruption
• Advising on regulatory and operational risk, including competition law, trade compliance, and data protection
• Managing external counsel where required
• Helping to develop and improve internal legal processes and contract templates

About You:

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent jurisdiction). Up to 4 years PQE. NQ's will be considered, including those due to qualify in September 2025.
• Strong grounding in commercial contracts and general corporate/commercial law, gained either in private practice or in-house
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• Comfortable juggling a varied workload and operating in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• A commercial, pragmatic mindset - someone who enjoys solving problems and enabling business goals
• Prior experience in manufacturing, infrastructure, engineering, or industrial sectors would be helpful, but is not essential

Why Apply?

This is an outstanding opportunity for a junior lawyer looking to broaden their in-house experience. The role offers:

• Breadth – A genuinely diverse mix of commercial and compliance work
• Development – Ongoing mentoring from senior lawyers and exposure to international legal matters
• Stability & Scale – Join a highly respected global organisation with a strong market position
• Culture – Down-to-earth, collaborative legal team where your input will be valued

If you’re a commercially minded junior lawyer looking for a broad and rewarding in-house legal role, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV via the apply button.