Job Description
Commercial Energy Senior Associate / Legal Director | Manchester
You step into a commercial practice where energy is not a bolt-on specialism, but a sector at the heart of the firm’s growth and ambition. From Manchester, you work as part of a nationally and internationally connected Commercial team that is deeply embedded in the energy transition, advising on projects that are shaping how power is generated, stored and brought to market.
Your work is intellectually demanding and commercially grounded. You are trusted with complex energy-related contracts from the outset, negotiating and structuring agreements that sit at the centre of major projects across electricity, gas, renewables, water and nuclear. Many of the matters are high profile and cross-border, involving multiple stakeholders, regulatory overlays and long-term strategic considerations rather than short-term transactions.
As your practice develops, you find yourself advising not just on the drafting of contracts, but on how they operate in the real world. You support clients on route-to-market arrangements, grid connections, power purchase agreements and the project documentation that underpins renewable, net zero and low-carbon energy generation and storage. Regulatory and compliance questions are part of the conversation, not an afterthought, and you play a key role in helping clients manage risk and make commercially sound decisions in a fast-evolving sector.
What sets this platform apart is how the commercial practice operates. Alongside legal excellence, there is a strong focus on process, technology and delivery. You work with Legal Operations colleagues to design contract solutions that are robust, efficient and scalable, using automation, playbooks and managed services where appropriate. For a senior lawyer, this adds a strategic dimension to the role and develops skills that are increasingly valued by major corporates and in-house teams.
Career development here is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you are building towards Legal Director level or already operating at that level and looking to deepen your energy specialism, the size and structure of the Commercial team offers visibility, support and flexibility. You are encouraged to shape your niche within the energy sector, contribute to client development and play a visible role in the continued growth of the practice.
If you are looking to deepen your expertise in the energy sector on a global commercial platform, while remaining based in Manchester, this is a compelling next step.
Apply now or contact Harrison for a confidential discussion.