In-House Commercial Contracts Lawyer | NQ PQE | Manchester A different kind of legal role. Not pure private practice. Not siloed in-house. Something in between, and deliberately designed that way. A leading, full-service law firm with a strong Manchester presence is expanding its centralised Procurement Legal Team. They are looking for an NQ commercial contracts lawyer who wants the best of both worlds. This is not a traditional fee-earning role. You will not have billable targets. Instead, you sit at the centre of the firm's own operations, drafting, negotiating and advising on the contracts that keep a sophisticated law firm running. The Role Your day-to-day will include: Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts, supplier agreements, technology contracts, procurement frameworks, data processing agreements and more Advising on risk, data protection and compliance, including data processing agreements and cross-border transfers Supporting strategic projects and helping drive continuous improvement in contracting processes Collaborating with procurement teams and stakeholders to ensure favourable terms and compliance with firm policies Crucially, you will be more than a legal technician. The role expects you to make informed decisions, recommend solutions, and guide stakeholders, not just flag issues. The Team A centralised Procurement function supporting all the firm's procurement needs A dedicated legal team working closely with the Office of General Counsel, Information Security, and commercial procurement colleagues A supportive, high-trust environment with real autonomy What You Will Bring UK-qualified solicitor (NQ), with strong commercial contracts experience gained in private practice, in-house, or through a high-quality training seat Expertise in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, including technology and procurement agreements Strong understanding of commercial law, contract law, data protection, and risk management principles Ability to manage a substantial workload, prioritise effectively, and work autonomously under pressure A pragmatic, business-focused approach, you recommend solutions, not just problems Why This Firm Well-established, international full-service practice with a strong Manchester base Genuine commitment to innovation, collaboration and quality work Supportive, collegiate culture, high-calibre work with high-character colleagues Why This Makes Sense At NQ level, you face a choice: Traditional private practice : quality work, but billable hours and partnership pressure Pure in-house : commercial exposure, but can feel disconnected from legal rigour or career progression This role sits in the middle. You get the platform, brand and development support of a top-tier firm, but you work on the firm's own business. You get real autonomy, strategic influence and stakeholder relationships, but with a collaborative legal team around you. Apply now or contact Harrison for a confidential discussion.