At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial contracts while providing legal advice to support company growth.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing tech company with a dynamic legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal role during an exciting growth phase.
- Qualifications: 12-15 years of legal experience and a UK or US law degree required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Senior Counsel to join Quantinuum’s legal team on a temporary basis.
Our company is in a period of significant growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Corporate Counsel to play a vital role in managing corporate contracts and legal activities for the company.
The Senior Counsel is an important role in the business that will be based in London or Cambridge.
You will be working closely with the legal team to manage corporate contracts and transactional activities, focusing on drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, technology licensing agreements, Saa S agreements, scientific research and collaboration agreements, trademark and branding agreements, employment contracts, and providing support on various compliance functions, including technology control, import and export laws, data protection and regulations.
In addition, you will develop and codify policies and standard operating procedures and support their rollout and related training.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including technology licensing, Saa S, scientific research and collaboration agreements, brand and marketing contracts, employment agreements, and other corporate transactions.
- Provide pragmatic, business‑focused legal advice to internal stakeholders across commercial, technical, scientific, and operational teams, enabling the company’s growth and innovation strategy.
- Partner closely with the wider legal team to manage corporate legal activities and transactional workflows across multiple jurisdictions.
- Support compliance programmes relating to technology controls, import/export regulations, data protection, and other applicable regulatory frameworks, ensuring legal and operational risks are effectively managed.
- Develop, implement, and maintain legal policies, templates, and standard operating procedures to improve consistency, efficiency, and risk management across the business.
- Deliver legal training and guidance to internal teams to support awareness of contractual obligations, compliance requirements, and best practices.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with business leaders, scientists, product teams, HR, and commercial functions to provide timely and strategic legal input on new initiatives and partnerships.
- Identify opportunities to streamline legal processes, improve contract lifecycle management, and support scalable legal operations during a period of significant company growth.
- Support brand protection activities, including trademark‑related matters and marketing/legal reviews.
- Assist with corporate governance, risk mitigation, and broader legal projects as required.
- Required Qualifications
- Minimum 12–15 years of post‑qualification legal experience.
- US or UK Law Degree.
- Admitted and registered as a solicitor in the UK or to practise in the US.
- Desired Qualifications
- Excellent research, writing and drafting skills.
- Exceptional communication skills (oral and written).
- Strong organisational skills.
- Incisive analytical thinker and a self‑starter.
- Energetic and dynamic.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
- Ability to work under tight timeframes.
- Company secretarial experience.
- Experience of working in scientific, software engineering or computer science industries.
- Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an inclusive equal opportunity employer.
You will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, colour, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.
This role may use artificial intelligence tools to support parts of the hiring process, but final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel (Commercial Contracts) Temporary / Fixed term contract (6 months) - 898
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Quantinuum.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Quantinuum does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Quantinuum.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel (Commercial Contracts) Temporary / Fixed term contract (6 months) - 898
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Quantinuum and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quantinuum
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Senior Counsel (Commercial Contracts) Temporary / Fixed term contract (6 months) - 898 role at Quantinuum. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Quantinuum.