Job Description

Role purpose

As a key member of the Commercial function, the Commercial Lawyer plays a critical role in enabling the business to pursue qualified and profitable opportunities while managing legal risk. You will provide expert legal guidance on commercial contracts, partnerships, and strategic initiatives, ensuring that all agreements align with the Group's commercial objectives and sustainability ambitions.

You will work closely with the Commercial, Sales, Account Management, Procurement and Technical Teams to support the negotiation and execution of contracts that drive margin expansion. Your role will involve shaping a proactive legal culture that supports growth, protects the Group's interests, and enhances our reputation as a trusted partner in global markets.

Key accountabilities

Contract Drafting and Negotiation

Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of B2B contracts, whilst ensuring contracts are understood, enforceable, and tailored to commercial objectives, including:

Supply and distribution agreements Service level agreements (SLAs) Licensing and franchising contracts Partnership and joint venture agreements

Legal Risk Management

Identifying and mitigating legal risks in commercial transactions. Advising on limitation of liability, indemnities, warranties, and termination clauses. Ensuring compliance with relevant UK laws and regulations, including competition law and data protection.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation Support

Advising on dispute resolution mechanisms. Supporting or managing litigation related to contract breaches or commercial disputes.

Regulatory and Compliance Advisory

Ensuring contracts comply with statutory requirements. Advising on sector-specific regulations and international trade laws where applicable.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborating with the Commercial Team and other internal stakeholders to align legal advice with business goals. Providing education on the legal implications of business decisions.

Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

Advising on IP rights in commercial arrangements. Drafting confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

Contract Lifecycle Management

Supporting the implementation and monitoring of contract performance. Managing renewals, amendments, and terminations of contracts.

Key Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

Qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate. Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in commercial law, ideally within a B2B environment. Strong academic background in Scots Law, ideally with a postgraduate qualification in Commercial or Corporate Law.

Commercial and Legal Expertise

Extensive experience drafting, negotiating, and advising on a wide range of commercial agreements. Experience advising on legal risk, contract lifecycle management, and dispute resolution strategies.

Strategic and Operational Impact

Track record of contributing to strategic business initiatives, including margin improvement, market expansion, and risk mitigation. Experience supporting commercial teams through complex tendering and procurement processes. Demonstrated ability to align legal advice with business objectives and sustainability goals.

Leadership and Collaboration

Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation. Proven ability to work collaboratively with commercial, sales, procurement, and technical teams in a fast-paced, global environment.

Additional Competencies

High level of commercial awareness and business acumen. Strong project management skills, including budgeting and forecasting. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.

Key Competencies Required

Role Model

Being an exemplary role model and taking the lead in promoting and living our values Establishes norms of behaviour (from the shadow he/she casts) for the team and takes appropriate actions if they are broken

Develop Yourself

Invests in Personal Development Is self-aware and authentic Is open to feedback

Develop your People

Develops, empowers and motivates teams and individuals Drives employee engagement

Provides Direction

Translates strategy, creating a positive vision Inspires while managing change

Drives for results

Delivers against targets in a way which is fast, agile and in line with our company values

Communicating

Uses effective influencing and persuading strategies Clear, concise, consistent and relevant for individual situations. Understands, manages, and clarifies expectations Engages with key stakeholders prior to an important presentation/meeting to enlist their support

Negotiation Skills

Qualities that allow two or more parties to reach a compromise.

Customer Service

Concern for internal and external customers

Entrepreneurial Orientation

Finding and seizing opportunities

Key relationships

CCO CFO Head of Commercial Sales Directors Head of Account Management Head of Innovation and Sustainability

Company Benefits

Company sick pay Enhanced annual leave entitlement (increases with length of service) Health and wellbeing programme Employee Assistance Programme - including access to a private GP service and much more Life assurance Cycle to work scheme and Electric Vehicle schemes Employee coaching programme Additional training and development opportunities Free on-site parking Access to a range of store discounts
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

Cycle to work scheme Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Private medical insurance Store discount Work from home
Work Location: Remote