Associate/Senior Associate – Commercial Contracts

Our Commercial team is split into four workstreams: Strategic Contracts, Technology, Intellectual Property and Data Privacy. We are currently recruiting for an Associate or Senior Associate to join our Strategic Contracts team, which can be based in any of our offices in Leeds, Manchester or Birmingham.

Our Strategic Contracts team covers a range of work, from day-to-day matters for local and national clients to large outsourcings and multinational projects. We have particular expertise in outsourcings and regularly advise on some of the largest supply chain contracts, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

As part of this role you can expect to be involved in:

• Working as part of a national team advising on a wide range of matters, from high-value, long-term strategic arrangements to more day-to-day business-as-usual matters and standard form contracts.
• Working with a wide range of private and public sector businesses across sectors such as transport, utilities and industrial engineering, on a local, national and international level.
• Providing commercial support for transactions undertaken by our corporate and real estate teams.
• Developing close working relationships with colleagues in different teams and offices throughout the business.
• Participating in and contributing to structured business development activity, including assisting to write client briefings and articles.

We are looking for applicants with 2-6 years PQE who have built a solid foundation in contract law in private practice and are looking for either an Associate or Senior Associate role.

We expect you to be able to demonstrate:

• Detailed knowledge of different types of contracts, strong technical and drafting skills, and an understanding of the key legal, commercial and operational issues that could impact clients and their contracts.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to communicate effectively at different levels and with clients from a variety of sectors and cultures.
• The ability to build strong relationships and enjoy business development activities.
• The ability to deal with the competing demands of clients arising from involvement in a number of separate transactions at once, and to work flexibly to tight deadlines.
• Excellent client service delivery, along with drive, enthusiasm and the ability to work well as part of a team.
• Good technical and drafting skills, a high level of attention to detail, and strong research skills with familiarity in using precedents and external legal resources.
• The ability to build great relationships with colleagues in other practice groups, and ideally some experience of supporting junior colleagues.
• Good networking skills and the ability to build client relationships and develop new business.
• Commercial awareness and a willingness to participate in group training activities.
• At Senior Associate level: the ability to coach, supervise and mentor more junior members of the team, and to proactively participate in business development, assisting partners with client development opportunities and networking.