Senior Paralegal - Commercial & Legal Operations

Department: Legal

Location: Horsham

Join Benchmark in a unique hybrid role that combines hands-on commercial contracting with the opportunity to shape and scale a modern legal function .

This is a high-impact position where you will take ownership of end-to-end contract management while driving improvements in legal processes, technology, and data capability . The focus is on delivering speed, consistency, and control , supporting business growth, acquisitions, and key supplier relationships.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both practical legal delivery and operational improvement , and wants to play a key role in developing how an in-house legal function operates.

What you'll do

Commercial Contracts

• Own the full lifecycle of commercial contracts across the group, including supplier, SaaS, outsourcing, platform, and partnership agreements
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts using templates, playbooks, and escalation frameworks
• Lead and enhance AI-assisted contract review processes, ensuring consistency and effective risk management
• Build and maintain a centralised contracts register and contract risk register

Legal Operations & Transformation

• Implement and manage a structured Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) process
• Drive adoption of legal processes and tools across the business
• Introduce and embed legal technology, including CLM systems, AI tools, and workflow automation
• Develop and track legal MI to support prioritisation and decision-making
• Create and maintain playbooks, templates, guidance, and standard operating procedures
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and strengthen risk controls

Wider Legal Support

• Support broader legal activity, including M&A, regulatory work, and business change initiatives
• Partner with stakeholders across the business to deliver pragmatic, solutions-focused outcomes

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

Essential

• 4–8 years’ experience in commercial contracts, legal operations, or legal delivery roles
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
• Experience working with templates, playbooks, and standard terms
• Exposure to improving or implementing legal processes, systems, or operating frameworks

Desirable

• Experience within financial services or a regulated environment
• Knowledge of outsourcing, technology, platform, or SaaS agreements
• Experience supporting M&A transactions and due diligence

The base

You'll be based at the Benchmark Head Office, within our Broadlands Business Campus near Horsham in West Sussex but will need to be present across our other offices, including the main Schroders headquarters in London. It has high standards and international reputation, without being in the city: a big, countryside campus means life will feel a little different.

We support our offices by using cutting edge software and hardware and our spacious campus facilities mean there's a great working environment for the team. With an on-site restaurant, coffee shop and gym, our campus has much to offer. And commuters can relax on our dedicated regular shuttle bus to and from Horsham’s main line train station.

We're looking for the best, whoever they are

We know that diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture where all can succeed lead to better decisions and stronger outcomes for the company its clients and its employees. That’s why inclusion and diversity are strategic priorities for us. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. You’re welcome at Benchmark regardless of your age, disability, gender identity or expression, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background. We’re building a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.