At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal support for technology contracts and manage compliance in a dynamic digital environment.
- Company: Join UCB, a global biopharmaceutical leader focused on innovation and patient care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values inclusion and supports your career journey.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by navigating the evolving landscape of digital technology and law.
- Qualifications: Law degree with 3-5 years experience in technology or commercial contracting.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
We are looking for a Legal Counsel – Digital Technology who is highly organised, pragmatic, and adaptable to join us in our Legal – Digital Technology team, based in Slough, UK.
About The Role
You will provide legal support to UCB’s Digital Technology and Procurement teams, with a strong focus on technology contracting and practical risk management. Most of your time will be spent reviewing, drafting and negotiating technology-related agreements and managing incoming requests through a contract intake portal. You will also support governance and compliance work linked to emerging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, and help flag legal and contractual risks as technology and regulation evolve. This role is suited to a junior lawyer that appreciates structure, close collaboration with technical teams, and delivering clear, business‑aligned outcomes.
Who You’ll Work With
You will be working in a team that partners closely with Digital Technology, Procurement, and cybersecurity colleagues, supporting both day‑to‑day operations and innovation initiatives. You will collaborate with experienced legal colleagues who will provide guidance and oversight, and you will interact regularly with technical stakeholders to translate business needs into clear, workable contract positions. Your work will help strengthen a service‑oriented legal culture, enabling the business to move quickly while managing legal, compliance and security expectations in a global environment.
What You’ll Do
- Draft, review and negotiate technology procurement contracts, including services agreements, statements of work, licensing, cloud and software subscription agreements, and data processing terms.
- Manage incoming contracting requests through a contract portal, triage risk level, assign next steps, and keep matters moving efficiently and accurately.
- Improve contract consistency by contributing to templates, clause libraries, playbooks, and workflow updates that make contracting faster and clearer.
- Support governance for artificial intelligence solutions by helping with intake assessments, vendor safeguards, and policy updates as the landscape evolves.
- Assist with cybersecurity and digital compliance work, including contractual protections, operational guidance, and alignment with internal requirements.
- Build trusted relationships with business partners by communicating clearly, documenting decisions, and providing practical, timely legal support.
Interested?
For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills:
- Law degree with 3 to 5 years relevant experience in a law firm or in‑house, focused on technology or commercial contracting.
- Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating technology agreements, including software, cloud services, licensing, and vendor services terms.
- Strong contract judgement with clear, practical communication skills when working with non‑legal and technical stakeholders.
- Excellent organisation skills and ability to manage multiple matters in parallel while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
- Interest in digital governance topics, including artificial intelligence, and confidence to flag risks when regulation is unclear or evolving.
- Fluency in English, written and spoken.
- Comfortable using digital tools such as Copilot, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe, Icertis, and similar productivity platforms.
Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!
About Us
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9,000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.
Why work with us?
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid‑first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office. UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws. Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on EMEA-Reasonable_Accommodation@ucb.com. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.
Legal Counsel - Digital Technology (UK) employer: UCB
UCB is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, where employees are encouraged to innovate and collaborate. Located in Slough, UK, the role of Legal Counsel – Digital Technology offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge digital technologies while benefiting from a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, UCB empowers its team members to carve their own career paths and make a meaningful impact in the biopharmaceutical industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Digital Technology (UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and tech fields. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Legal Counsel role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your tech contracting knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific agreements you’ve worked on and how you managed risks. Show them you’re not just a lawyer, but a strategic partner who understands their business needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to translate complex legal jargon into clear, actionable advice for non-legal stakeholders. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable explaining your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at UCB.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Digital Technology (UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in technology contracting and risk management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be working closely with technical teams and non-legal stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly. Use examples in your application that reflect your practical communication style.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple tasks while keeping everything accurate and on track. Mention any tools or methods you use to stay organised, especially in a fast-paced environment like digital technology.
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 to join our team at UCB!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCB
✨Know Your Contracts
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of technology procurement contracts. Be ready to discuss specific types of agreements like software licensing and cloud services. This will show that you understand the role's focus and can engage in meaningful conversations about contract negotiation.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since the role requires managing multiple matters simultaneously, prepare examples that demonstrate your organisational abilities. Talk about how you've successfully juggled various tasks in previous roles, ensuring accuracy and responsiveness while meeting deadlines.
✨Understand Digital Governance
Familiarise yourself with current trends in digital governance, especially around artificial intelligence. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach compliance and risk management in this evolving landscape, as it’s a key aspect of the role.
✨Build Relationships
The job involves collaborating closely with technical teams and stakeholders. Think of examples where you've built trusted relationships in a professional setting. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve translated complex legal jargon into clear, actionable advice for non-legal colleagues.
