Senior Legal Counsel (Sole UK Counsel)


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Warrington, M1 4BT
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 1 day remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	25 Sept 2026
Closing date:	25 Oct 2026

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Summary

Your new company

A global organisation is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join its international legal team. Operating across multiple jurisdictions, the business delivers high-value projects and partners with stakeholders worldwide.

This is a unique opportunity to become the sole UK-based lawyer within the business, working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation while reporting directly to the General Counsel. The role offers autonomy, visibility and involvement in strategic business decisions on a global scale.

Your new role

As Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide commercially focused legal support across a broad range of matters affecting the organisation's international operations. Acting as a trusted adviser to leadership teams, you will partner with colleagues across the business to manage legal risk, support major projects and drive commercial objectives.

Key responsibilities will include:

Providing expert legal advice on commercial, corporate and governance matters.

Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of complex commercial contracts and agreements.

Supporting international projects, partnerships and cross-border transactions.

Advising on company law, corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters.

Identifying and mitigating legal and commercial risks across the business.

Managing disputes, litigation and arbitration matters with support from external counsel where required.

Developing and maintaining contract management and legal compliance processes.

Delivering training and guidance to internal stakeholders on legal and compliance matters.

Monitoring legal and regulatory developments across relevant jurisdictions.

This is a highly visible role offering a rare opportunity to operate as the legal lead for the UK business while contributing to wider global legal initiatives.

What you'll need to succeed

You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with significant commercial legal experience gained either in-house or in private practice and:

Strong commercial contract experience.

Experience advising on corporate law, governance and risk management matters.

Exposure to international or cross-border legal work.

Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.

Strong stakeholder management and business partnering capabilities.

The confidence to work independently and manage a varied legal workload.

What you'll get in return

Salary of up to £115,000 base

Opportunity to act as the sole UK legal counsel

Exposure to complex, high-value projects and cross-border matters

Generous benefits package

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now on 0161 228 7770.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

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