Legal Counsel – Commercial Contracts in Birmingham

Company Description

Version 1 has celebrated over 29 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Our expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly changing Digital‑First world we live in. We foster strong partnerships with leading technology giants including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services. We’re an award‑winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of Version 1 and what we do.

• UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner
• 3300+ strong, €350/£300m revenue business
• 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK
• Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW
• Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW

Job Description

At Version 1, we pride ourselves on being business enablers with our “Easy‑To‑Do‑Business‑With” approach. We view contract review as a collaborative process involving both internal collaboration with stakeholders across our Commercial, Finance, Practice, Compliance and Data Protection functions and external collaboration with our customers and key suppliers. We are seeking a proactive and commercially minded Commercial Contracts Lawyer to help shape and mature the Legal function at Version 1. You’ll be welcomed into a dynamic, flexible, friendly Legal Team which is underpinned by policies, processes and checklists for contract review. We always have each other’s back and have developed effective ways of connecting while working digitally. This role is ideal for someone with a strong interest in commercial contracting, public sector frameworks, subcontractor management, and legal compliance across emerging regulatory landscapes, and who is eager to contribute to the development of a high‑impact legal function.

Key Responsibilities

• Steeped in contract review and have successfully negotiated many commercial contracts in recent years, including contracts with customers, partners and suppliers, and Framework/Call‑Offs.
• Advise on subcontractor relationships, including flow‑down of obligations and compliance with prime contract terms.
• Competent at reviewing contracts with an eagle‑eye to identify risks and areas that deviate from company policy.
• Solutions/business‑minded – you’ll be adept at keeping stakeholders engaged at all steps of the process and shifting focus to align with business needs.
• Balancing risk against reward is part of how you operate.
• An experienced, active negotiator who can listen with empathy and drive the right results for Version 1.
• Collaborative and effective at escalating policy deviations to the designated approvers and explaining contract risks in plain English.
• Skilled in working across functions to develop internal policies, procedures and best practices in relation to contracts.
• A trusted advisor to the business who thinks in terms of solutions.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (UK or Ireland), minimum 5 years’ PQE in commercial contracts within the IT services or technology sector.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with a pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise at all levels.
• Public Sector procurement and subcontracting experience are highly desirable but not essential.

Additional Information

Why Version 1? At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance‑Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of the company's profits.
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
• Flexible/remote working – we are tremendously understanding of life events and individual circumstances.
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including pension, private healthcare cover, life assurance, financial advice and an employee discount scheme.
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including gym discounts, bike to work, fitness classes, mindfulness workshops, employee assistance programme and much more.
• Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies.
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat.
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & “Call‑Out” platform.
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.
• And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.

Contact Laura Cowan laura.cowan@version1.com