Deputy Managing Lawyer, Helix

Location: Glasgow, GB; Edinburgh, GB; Milton Keynes, GB; London, GB

Department/Division: Commercial, Helix
Duration: Permanent
Location: Remote
Type of Role: Deputy Managing Lawyer
Reference number: 9103

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled lawyer to join the Dentons Helix team as a Deputy Managing Lawyer, aligned to a specific client team at Dentons. This role provides the chance to work in innovative new ways for the UK’s best loved and most iconic retail and media brands.

Our client has entrusted Dentons to manage their commercial contracts requirements and enter into a genuine long term partner relationship. Given the extensive nature of our client’s business and its innovative and evolving approach, the work will encompass commercial contracts, technology and outsourcing agreements, third party supplier arrangements and other contracts relating to its business operations, all of which will be varied, challenging and engaging. This unique role will see you supervising a team of lawyers and paralegals as well as working directly with business partners and helping to develop and grow the service offering.

We have assembled a skilled team to assist with this work, collaborating closely with our Band 1 ranked Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) team, as well as the client’s in‑house legal department. This opportunity is ideal for experienced lawyers who are looking to join a law firm while acting as part of an extension of a client in‑house legal team to:

• Manage and supervise a team of lawyers and paralegals;
• Be involved in shaping a business model that seeks to innovate the way law firms deliver legal services;
• Optimize efficiency in legal processes;
• Work with one client as a core part of its legal function, enabling the capable candidates to gain a deeper understanding of the client’s business and a closer working relationship with the client’s in‑house team;
• Whilst this is a dedicated team, the candidates who join our ranks will work alongside the UK TMT team and benefit from all of the team training.

We are looking for a senior lawyer with experience supervising other lawyers as well as experience with general commercial contracts, media, technology/outsourcing and intellectual property.

Responsibilities

You will lead a team of skilled individuals to deliver the full spectrum of commercial contract requirements for our client. This will include drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts as well as providing advice on contract or other queries. Through newly established ways of working, including an increased emphasis on technological solutions, you will support your team in taking full ownership for contracts, giving greater control than is available in traditional private practice teams. Our approach is to create a supportive environment by working collaboratively as part of a team whilst also encouraging team members to manage tasks and time professionally.

You will work closely with other members of this skilled team as well as the in‑house legal function at our client. The department has an efficient teamwork ethic and a client management approach. It is essential that candidates are effective collaborators and committed to developing personally and professionally. A commitment to deliver high‑quality focused services to our clients is essential, as is maintaining and developing client relationships. We believe in constantly evolving our services to remain updated in the market, and are looking for individuals who are motivated by trying new approaches and improving our delivery approach for clients.

Effective candidates will have an interest in progress and want to become one of the top teams in the region, working hard to provide the highest levels of client service whilst valuing having fun being part of a supportive and collegiate team.

Summary of key responsibilities:

• Become the key contact and build a close working relationship with the client.
• Allocate incoming legal work from the client to team members.
• Supervise and manage team capacity, quality and availability.
• Set and manage personal objectives with your team.
• Input to financial and operational reporting.
• Work closely with clients to manage work allocation across the in‑house and Dentons teams.
• Attend key client and internal meetings.
• Facilitate quoting for certain work types.
• Provide onboarding training to new members of the team.
• Support the development and update of precedents and playbooks.
• Input to and support improvement initiatives across legal, technology and operations work‑streams.
• Advise and work on commercial contracts and client legal queries.

Required experience, skills, and attributes

• Candidates who are qualified solicitors.
• Solid academic record, including a degree or equivalent.
• Experience working on media contracts.
• Experience managing the time and workload of others.
• Candidates are expected to have technology awareness.
• Experience working on similar work for sophisticated clients is desired.
• Proficient drafting skills and legal research ability.

Personal attributes

• Dedicated to high‑quality client service.
• Proficient problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, coupled with good business awareness.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrate initiative and drive.
• You will be a skilled leader, work well with others, and be collaborative.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• The capability to manage multiple tasks effectively while adhering to tight timelines.
• A methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity .

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

#J-18808-Ljbffr