Job description

We are Oliver James, a global recruitment & consulting group that has been introducing talented people to great organisations since 2002. Based at our Global HQ in Manchester, Group Operations at Oliver James is an integral part of Oliver James' success. We think we're building something pretty special here at Oliver James Global Operations:

• We empower our team members to think big and we are built for those who thrive on delivering results; providing you the opportunity to seek the extraordinary and become your best, no matter your role or expertise.
• We breed a culture of excellence and inclusivity, a team that people are proud to work for; a place where people can thrive and make a difference.

All of our business functions support Oliver James' wider goals and ambitions - to make a remarkable impact globally. So what's stopping you, come and join us.

Overview

This is a newly created, high-impact role within the Group Global Legal team at Oliver James, based in Manchester. As Senior Commercial Counsel, you will lead and develop a team of talented legal professionals with a core focus on delivering agile, commercial legal support across our client and supplier contracts, driving smart, scalable solutions for our fast-moving global business.

You will work closely with the Chief Legal Officer and key stakeholders across the Group to deliver practical, commercially-oriented legal advice, and contribute to the development of a legal function that is integral to business success.

We are looking for someone who is dynamic, collaborative, and solution-orientated - not black-letter - lawyer. A pragmatic trusted advisor with sound judgement and a passion for enabling growth.

We were shortlisted for 2024 in-house legal team of the year at the Manchester Legal Awards and are already building on that success in 2025.

What We're Looking For

• Qualified legal professional with significant post-qualification experience in commercial law
• Extensive experience negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts, ideally across multiple jurisdictions, including the USA
• Proven ability to lead and inspire legal professionals (qualified and non-qualified), fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and support
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives
• A team player who thrives in a collaborative, values-driven environment
• Experience supporting on corporate legal matters (M&A, governance) is helpful but not the main focus
• Genuine interest in digitisation, legal operations, and innovation in service delivery
• Outstanding communicator-able to cut through complexity and provide concise, actionable advice
• Culturally aligned, with a down-to-earth, can-do attitude and a focus on team contribution

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing commercial legal team, ensuring professional growth and clear delivery standards
• Oversee and drive commercial legal service delivery, with a focus on client and supplier contracts, quality negotiation, and risk management
• Be a trusted legal partner to the business, building strong relationships and delivering pragmatic, solution-oriented advice
• Continuously improve legal processes, documentation, and templates for scalability and efficiency
• Maintain clear reporting of commercial legal risks in line with Group frameworks
• Manage external counsel effectively to ensure value and alignment with internal goals
• Support the Chief Legal Officer on legal and Group projects as needed
• Champion a legal team culture that is collaborative, dynamic, and focused on enabling the business

Why Join Oliver James?

At Oliver James, we don't just want a technically excellent lawyer-we want someone who will be a cultural asset to our team: someone who is forward-thinking, practical, and eager to make a difference. You'll be part of a growing, ambitious legal function that works at the heart of the business and plays a visible role in its continued success.