Interim Commercial Counsel (Defence Technology)
6-12 month assignment | Full-time | Remote (occasional Cambridge travel)
We’re working with a rapidly scaling UK technology business operating at the intersection of engineering, aerospace, defence and national security.
Founded by an exceptional leadership team with backgrounds spanning academia, government and advanced technology, the business is developing cutting-edge products designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing modern defence and security organisations.
Having secured significant commercial traction and government interest, the company is entering a period of rapid growth and is seeking an experienced commercial lawyer to provide immediate support to the legal function while the team scales.
The Opportunity
You will work directly with senior stakeholders across the business, advising on a broad range of commercial matters in a fast-paced, highly innovative environment.
The role would suit a lawyer who enjoys operating close to the business, is comfortable dealing with ambiguity, and can balance legal risk with commercial reality.
Areas of Responsibility
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements, including customer, supplier, manufacturing, collaboration and strategic partnership agreements
- Supporting the negotiation and management of government, defence and public sector contracts
- Advising on procurement processes, tender responses and contractual risk allocation
- Supporting commercial discussions with international customers, distributors and strategic
- partnersAdvising on intellectual property ownership, licensing and technology development arrangements
- Providing legal support on export control, sanctions, confidentiality and regulatory compliance matters
- Advising on supply chain, manufacturing and operational legal issues as the business scales production capability
- Supporting fundraising, investment and corporate growth initiatives where required
- Working closely with founders and senior leadership to identify legal risks and develop pragmatic, commercially focused solutions
- Acting as a trusted legal business partner across commercial, operational and strategic projects
About You
We’re interested in speaking with lawyers who can demonstrate:
- Strong commercial contracts experience
- Previous in-house experience or significant client secondment exposure
- Ability to operate autonomously with limited supervision
- Pragmatic, solutions-focusedapproach
- Strong stakeholder management skills
- Experience within technology, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing, defence, government contracting or regulated industries is essential
Assignment Details
- Immediate requirement
- Full-time
- Remote working with occasional travel to
- Cambridge
- Initial contract expected to run for several months, with potential for extension
- Competitive day rate
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