Legal Counsel - Commercial Lawyer - Assistant Director - Permanent - Birmingham

Legal Counsel - Commercial Lawyer - Assistant Director - Permanent - Birmingham Location: Birmingham Other locations: Primary Location Only Date: 22 Oct 2026 Requisition ID: 1746684 At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world. Legal Counsel - Commercial Lawyer – Assistant Director - Permanent - Birmingham EY is a global network of professional services firms engaged in consulting, transaction, assurance and tax services with member firms in over 150 countries worldwide. The UK firm of Ernst Teaming with other lawyers on large complex commercial contracts pursuant to which we provide an ever more diverse range of services (which increasingly relate to AI); Teaming with other lawyers on managed services and outsourcing agreements; Subcontracts, where EY is either the prime, or the subcontractor; Collaboration agreements; Software and Licensing agreements, both traditional and SaaS; Government and public sector agreements; Advising on the use of technology, including GenAI, and the provision of technology related services; Advising on tenders and RFP responses; Advising on, drafting and negotiating contracts with suppliers; Providing legal advice to the firm’s service lines and its other internal support functions such as real estate and facilities, procurement, finance, Talent, IT, knowledge and marketing and the opportunity to be the legal lead on firm-wide projects. Skills and attributes for success Strong team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills. Demonstrable commitment to the attributes of our highest performing teams – focus on results, accepting of accountability, committed, embracing healthy conflict, building trust. Ability to keep calm and cope well with conflicting and ever-changing deadlines. Ability to lead, provide a view, take responsibility and ownership of issues, including an ability to take difficult decisions and provide substantiated arguments. Commercial awareness of the business issues facing us as we evolve, coupled with an active desire to get alongside our business, scanning the horizon for new service offerings to provide legal insight and support. To qualify for the role you must have 4-8 or more years of post-qualification experience, or equivalent. Experience gained in-house. Ability to provide practical legal advice and support with a high degree of professionalism in a fast-paced environment and to establish a high degree of credibility, respect and trust at all levels including with senior members of the firm, some of whom have a considerable understanding of the law. Be a self-starter, adept at responding promptly/juggling deadlines who actively looks to build relationships based on trust and confidence. Ideally, experience of advising on the use of GenAI in the context of service provision and experience of using GenAI in the provision of legal services. Ideally, but not essential, some experience of advising on data privacy matters. What working at EY offers We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with MyReward you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer: Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around; Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career; The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you. EY is committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We strive to achieve the right balance for our people, enabling us to deliver excellent client service whilst allowing you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities. While our client-facing professionals can be required to travel regularly, and at times be based at client sites, our flexible working arrangements can help you to achieve a lifestyle balance. About EY As a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, we’re using the finance products, expertise and systems we’ve developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime. And with a commitment to hiring and developing the most passionate people, we’ll make our ambition to be the best employer a reality. Join us in building a better working world. EY | Building a better working world EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst