Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and advise on commercial contracts across diverse sectors, supporting strategic projects.
- Company: Join a leading UK law firm known for its vibrant team and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in commercial contracts and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the team
We are a vibrant team with huge enthusiasm for supporting clients develop the contracts they need to build and secure their businesses. We consider ourselves to be one of the leading commercial, IT and data privacy teams in the UK.
Job Description
You will be exposed to a broad range of commercial contracts across many sectors including automotive, aerospace, retail, food and drink, real estate, life sciences, financial services, healthcare and telecoms. We are active advising both private sector and public sector clients. There is a diverse and interesting blend of work and the opportunity to learn and develop in this role is greater, in our view, than other commercial opportunities. Our team has its own clients and business plan – providing support work to our corporate team is a small fraction (around 10%) of our turnover.
- Cummins (Global manufacturer of engines and generators) on its supply chain and customer contracts across Europe
- Real estate clients such as Hyde Housing and Moda Living on property/housing management contracts ranging from routine to complex joint ventures
- Transport for London on the outsourcing of the operation of the Santander Cycle Hire Scheme
- Clients such as Deloitte and British Red Cross on national FM outsourcing projects
- Clients such as Weetabix, Coca Cola European Pacific and Dyson on national and international logistics arrangements
- Pret a Manger on a first generation IT outsourcing of all their business critical IT functions
- Re-procurement of the UK network for a major insurer across its offices and brokers
- Valda Energy on the appointment of a SaaS provider for a key service necessary for Valda to execute its regulated energy distribution functions
- A government department on an ERP procurement and implementation
- Complex and high‑profile public sector projects, such as advising on the 2031 Census, replacing TFL's ERP system and outsourcing the military payroll management system
That does not mean the team only does big contracts for household names. It has a diverse practice acting for many mid and large sized businesses advising on both routine contracts and strategically important contracts.
About The Role
We are seeking a qualified solicitor with practical experience of drafting and advising on general commercial contracts to support businesses on both turnkey strategic projects and day‑to‑day business.
- Team-spirited
- Commercial
- Robust (in negotiation)
- Responsible and able to think on feet to assess risks and exercise sound judgement
- An enthusiasm for commercial contracts
- Developing a track record in developing and maintaining client relationships
- Keen to be involved in business development
- Active interest in innovation projects including use of legal tech
- Solid technical ability in the law and drafting
- Ambitious, flexible, outgoing, energetic and positive
The work is primarily general commercial contracts (distribution, agency, logistics (warehousing, transport and e‑commerce fulfilment, supply of goods, supply of services, manufacturing, procurement, consultancy agreements, property and facility management and other real estate sector contracts such as estate agency, healthcare, consumer contracting). A substantial proportion of the team's work is international. There will also be an opportunity to support on IT contracts. Much of the work is private sector although it does advise on significant public sector projects where it can bring particular value.
About You
A qualified solicitor with practical experience of drafting and advising on general commercial contracts to support businesses on both turnkey strategic projects and day‑to‑day business.
- Team-spirited
- Commercial
- Robust (in negotiation)
- Responsible and able to think on feet to assess risks and exercise sound judgement
- An enthusiasm for commercial contracts
- Developing a track record in developing and maintaining client relationships
- Keen to be involved in business development
- Active interest in innovation projects including use of legal tech
- Solid technical ability in the law and drafting
- Ambitious, flexible, outgoing, energetic and positive
What We Can Offer You
Gowling WLG has been recognised as one of best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years. Excellent benefits include:
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working.
- 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week’s extra annual leave
- Free private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
- A generous pension allowance
- Life assurance covering four times your annual salary
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
- A range of health and wellbeing programmes
- State of the art offices, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre with onsite restaurants.
- Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development.
Many of our people work flexibly in some way. If you would like to explore your own flexible working arrangements with us, we are happy to discuss this during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunities
Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re‑assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.
Any offers we make will be conditional subject to clearance by the SRA, evidence of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS clearance. If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description please contact Arun Kainth - Arun.Kainth@gowlingwlg.com
Senior Associate - Commercial IT & Outsourcing in Birmingham employer: Gowling WLG
Contact Detail:
Gowling WLG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate - Commercial IT & Outsourcing in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re genuinely interested in their work, especially in commercial contracts. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Associate, you’ll need to be robust in negotiations. Role-play with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your approach to discussing terms and conditions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate - Commercial IT & Outsourcing in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Associate role. Highlight your experience with commercial contracts and any relevant sectors you've worked in. We want to see how you fit into our vibrant team!
Show Your Enthusiasm: Let your passion for commercial contracts shine through! Share examples of how you've developed client relationships or been involved in business development. We love seeing candidates who are eager to contribute to our team's success.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, showcasing your skills and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our fantastic team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Know Your Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of general commercial contracts, especially those relevant to the sectors mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with drafting and advising on these types of contracts, as it will show your practical understanding and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Client Relationship Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to develop and maintain client relationships. Think about specific instances where you've successfully navigated client needs or resolved issues, as this will demonstrate your team-spirited and responsible approach.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your judgement and risk assessment skills. Prepare to think on your feet by practising responses to hypothetical scenarios related to contract negotiations or project management, showcasing your robust negotiation skills and sound judgement.
✨Express Your Interest in Innovation
Since the role involves an active interest in innovation projects, be prepared to discuss any experience you have with legal tech or innovative practices in commercial law. This will show your ambition and flexibility, aligning with the team's focus on forward-thinking solutions.