Legal Director

Lead the legal function of a global manufacturing business driving innovation across international markets.
CRA Consulting is delighted to be partnering with a highly successful international manufacturing organisation to appoint an exceptional In House Legal Director to join its Executive Leadership Team.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced legal leader to play a key strategic role within a fast-paced, commercially driven business that continues to invest heavily in growth, innovation and operational excellence.
As Legal Director, you'll become a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive Team, providing commercially focused legal guidance that supports business growth, protects the organisation from risk and helps shape the long-term strategic direction of the company.
If you're looking for an Executive-level position where your influence extends well beyond the legal department, this is a genuinely exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Why this opportunity stands out

This is far more than a traditional in-house legal role. You'll be joining a market-leading international manufacturer with operations across the UK and overseas, supplying products and services into multiple global markets. Legal is viewed as a genuine commercial partner within the business, with the successful individual becoming an integral member of the Executive Leadership Team. You'll work alongside senior leaders across Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, HR and Commercial functions, helping to drive strategic decisions and business performance. The business has ambitious growth plans, continues to invest significantly across its manufacturing operations and offers the opportunity to influence major commercial projects both in the UK and internationally. For an ambitious legal leader, opportunities of this calibre rarely come to market.

The Role

As In House Legal Director, you'll lead the legal function across the organisation, providing commercially focused advice on a wide range of strategic and operational matters.

• Advising the Executive Leadership Team and Board on strategic legal matters
• Leading and developing the in-house legal function
• Drafting, negotiating and advising on high-value commercial contracts
• Supporting UK and international manufacturing operations
• Advising on major supplier agreements and procurement contracts
• Supporting acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic growth initiatives
• Managing legal risk, governance and regulatory compliance across the business
• Advising on intellectual property, supply chain and distribution matters
• Managing external legal advisers and controlling legal spend
• Working closely with senior stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Finance, HR and Commercial teams
• Travelling to manufacturing sites and regional offices across the UK as required
• This is a highly commercial role where you'll have genuine influence over key business decisions while helping to shape the future of a globally recognised manufacturing organisation

What we're looking for

We're keen to hear from experienced:

• Legal Directors
• General Counsel
• Head of Legal
• Senior Legal Counsel
• Commercial Lawyers
• Corporate Lawyers looking to move in-house
• Partners seeking their first Executive in-house appointment

Ideally you'll have:

• Significant post-qualification experience in commercial or corporate law
• Strong commercial contracts and corporate governance expertise
• Experience advising Boards and Executive Leadership Teams
• Experience gained within manufacturing, engineering, industrial, logistics or other commercially focused sectors would be advantageous
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• A commercially minded approach with excellent business judgement
• Previous experience leading legal teams or managing external legal providers
• Most importantly, we're looking for an individual who enjoys working closely with senior business leaders and wants to play an active role in helping a business achieve its long-term ambitions

The Package

• Executive salary between £150,000 - £175,000
• Highly competitive annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Hybrid working
• Executive wellbeing programme
• Professional development and Executive leadership support
• Opportunity to influence the future direction of an international manufacturing business

Why speak to CRA Consulting?

Appointments at Executive level demand complete discretion, specialist market knowledge and trusted relationships. At CRA Consulting, we specialise in Executive Search across the legal profession, partnering with leading organisations throughout the UK to identify exceptional legal leaders who rarely enter the open market. Every conversation is handled in the strictest confidence, allowing you to explore this opportunity without any obligation or impact on your current position. If you're interested in learning more-or simply want to understand how this opportunity compares to your current role-I would be delighted to arrange a confidential conversation, call me on or apply to this advert with your updated cv.