Job Description Commercial Associate – Technology & Outsourcing Location : Manchester PQE Level: 3 years' PQE Salary : £50,000 - £70,000 Bonus Join a Tier 1 Ranked Commercial Team as Associate Are you a commercially astute lawyer ready to take your career to the next level? Our client, a London headquartered, international, full-service law firm with 250 years of heritage and a reputation for award-winning innovation, is seeking a talented Commercial Associate with experience in IT / Technology and Outsourcing to join their award-winning, Tier 1-ranked national Commercial team in Leeds. The firm is looking for an Associate who's hungry for high-impact work, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is eager to lead on complex, large-scale transactions for some of the most sophisticated clients in the market. This role will contribute directly to the delivery of complex, high-value commercial and technology projects. You'll be advising on medium to large-scale transactions across a variety of sectors, particularly where digitalisation, outsourcing, and regulatory change converge. The firm is growing to meet increasing demand for complex, regulated technology, data, outsourcing, and transformation advice, and this role supports that strategic ambition. The Firm Our client is a London headquartered, international, full-service law firm that consistently delivers high-quality outcomes for clients globally. With 250 years of heritage, the firm today supports over 5,000 of the world's most respected organisations, helping them in over 50 areas of business law across more than 100 countries. The firm is known for award-winning innovation and delivering impact to clients. The firm has a strong global presence with offices across Asia (Japan, Singapore), Europe (England & Wales, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Scotland, Spain), and the Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, UAE), plus regional business groups covering Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Recent major deals include advising on the largest UK IPO of 2025 (£300m market capitalisation), the £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear power station financing (one of Europe's most significant infrastructure projects), and the £275m sale of an iconic London landmark to a luxury international hotel group. The firm is a place where you are valued, encouraged, and challenged to fulfil your potential in a supportive and collegiate environment. The culture of improvement, growth, and collaboration delivers results, drives innovation, and rewards ambition. The firm's success has been built by people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives. The firm is known for more than just technical excellence — they're trusted advisors who understand their clients' sectors, ambitions, and challenges. Deep sector knowledge and long-term investment in relationships make them the go-to firm for FTSE 100 and equivalent clients across their chosen sectors. The Team The Commercial team is a national group, with teams across each office working together on national and cross-border transactions. Nationally, the team is ranked in Tier 1 for IT with an enviable client base across private and public sector clients. In respect of digital transformation projects, the team handles some of the largest, most complex deals in this market. You can expect to be involved in a range of work types for private sector and public sector clients including tech transformations, cloud and SaaS arrangements, IT outsourcing, business process outsourcing, facilities management outsourcing, logistics, IT licences, and commercial contracts. This is a high performing, cohesive, and busy team with excellent prospects for career development, secondments, and cross-border work, if you want them. The team in Leeds is led by 6 Partners. The Role As a mid-level Associate in the Commercial team, you will work on complex, high-value commercial and technology projects, advising on medium to large-scale transactions across a variety of sectors, particularly where digitalisation, outsourcing, and regulatory change converge. You'll be working on high-impact matters for some of the most sophisticated clients in the market, contributing directly to the delivery of complex transactions. Your key responsibilities will include: Commercial and Technology Work: Advising on tech transformations Advising on cloud and SaaS arrangements Advising on IT outsourcing Advising on business process outsourcing Advising on facilities management outsourcing Advising on logistics Advising on IT licences Advising on commercial contracts Advising on medium to large-scale transactions across a variety of sectors Advising particularly where digitalisation, outsourcing, and regulatory change converge Advising on complex, regulated technology, data, outsourcing, and transformation matters Sector Experience: Advising across a broad range of commercial matters Sector experience in at least one of: retail & consumer, financial services, advanced manufacturing, tech, or health Working for private sector and public sector clients Working for some of the most sophisticated clients in the market Project Leadership: Leading projects with confidence and precision Managing your own workload with confidence and precision Taking on increasing responsibility with clear pathways for career progression Delivering complex, high-value commercial and technology projects Client Relationship Management: Building deep client relationships Becoming a trusted advisor for clients' commercial needs Delivering tailored, robust advice that supports both internal and external stakeholders Understanding clients' sectors, ambitions, and challenges Team Development: Mentoring junior team members Helping shape the future of the group Working collaboratively in a cohesive team environment Contributing to the team's success and reputation Professional Development: Engaging with formal training programmes (whether technical or skills based) Drawing on mentoring, coaching, and leadership programmes available Continuous development and learning Building your skills as a well-rounded commercial lawyer Excellent prospects for career development Opportunities for secondments and cross-border work, if you want them Key Responsibilities: Drafting clear and legally effective documents which reflect the client's instructions Maintaining efficient diary and task management across a range of matters Ensuring the accuracy and levels of client service expected within a high performing team Adopting a consultative and thorough approach to tasks Remaining calm and optimistic in time sensitive situations or under pressure Finding solutions to clients' legal challenges and requirements Demonstrating a commercial mindset and a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach About You Essential Requirements: Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales At least 3 years' post-qualification experience in private practice or in-house Strong technical knowledge of commercial law Experience in IT / Technology and Outsourcing Strong technical, analytical, and project management skills Commercial mindset and a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach Proven ability to deliver tailored, robust advice that supports both internal and external stakeholders Track record of strong financial performance and client satisfaction Sector experience in at least one of: retail & consumer, financial services, advanced manufacturing, tech, or health Ability to lead projects and manage your own workload with confidence and precision Ability to build deep client relationships and become a trusted advisor Experience mentoring junior team members Ability to take on increasing responsibility Good drafting skills with ability to produce clear and legally effective documents Experience engaging with internal and external stakeholders of all levels Ability to adopt a consultative and thorough approach to tasks Efficient diary and task management skills across a range of matters Ability to maintain the accuracy and levels of client service expected within a high performing team Ability to remain calm and optimistic in time sensitive situations or under pressure Enthusiastic about the development of your legal skill set and continuous learning Strong attention to detail and accuracy Commercially focused with good problem-solving abilities Highly Desirable: Experience advising on tech transformations Experience advising on cloud and SaaS arrangements Experience advising on IT outsourcing Experience advising on business process outsourcing Experience advising on facilities management outsourcing Experience advising on logistics Experience advising on IT licences Experience advising on commercial contracts Experience advising on medium to large-scale transactions Experience advising where digitalisation, outsourcing, and regulatory change converge Experience advising on complex, regulated technology, data, outsourcing, and transformation matters Experience working for both private sector and public sector clients Experience working in a large, international law firm environment Experience working on high-value, complex transactions Strong client relationship skills Experience with cross-border transactions Experience with secondments Key Attributes: Client-focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery Commercially astute and business-oriented approach Proactive and solutions-focused Strong team player who thrives in a collaborative environment Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills Adaptable and flexible approach to work Self-motivated with strong work ethic Committed to continuous learning and development Passionate about commercial law and technology Ambitious and eager to build a long-term career Resilient and able to work under pressure Quality-focused with imagination and impact in advice Hungry for high-impact work What's On Offer Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work, with rewards and benefits that are among the best in the business. Benefits include: Competitive salary: £50,000 - £70,000 Bonus Bonus scheme International, full-service law firm with 250 years of heritage Support over 5,000 of the world's most respected organisations globally 50 areas of business law across 100 countries Award-winning innovation and reputation for delivering impact Award-winning Commercial team National Commercial team ranked in Tier 1 for IT Enviable client base across private and public sector clients Team handles some of the largest, most complex digital transformation deals in this market Leeds team led by 6 Partners High performing, cohesive, and busy team Excellent prospects for career development Opportunities for secondments and cross-border work, if you want them Growing to meet increasing demand for complex, regulated technology, data, outsourcing, and transformation advice Work on high-impact matters for some of the most sophisticated clients in the market Contribute directly to delivery of complex, high-value commercial and technology projects Advise on medium to large-scale transactions across variety of sectors Work on tech transformations, cloud and SaaS arrangements, IT outsourcing, business process outsourcing, facilities management outsourcing, logistics, IT licences, commercial contracts Work for private sector and public sector clients Advise where digitalisation, outsourcing, and regulatory change converge Lead projects and manage your own workload with confidence and precision Build deep client relationships and become a trusted advisor Mentor junior team members and help shape the future of the group Take on increasing responsibility with clear pathways for career progression Work together on national and cross-border transactions Formal training programmes (technical and skills based) Mentoring, coaching, and leadership programmes available Clear career progression pathway Build long-term career with the firm Become well-rounded lawyer providing quality, commercial advice Culture of improvement, growth, and collaboration Supportive and collegiate environment Work on high-calibre matters with high-character colleagues Access to full-service firm resources (Corporate, Finance, Banking, Projects, Real Estate, Employment, Dispute Resolution, IP, Tax, Competition, Construction, and more) Employee networks that provide space to discuss differences and celebrate diversity Firm that values people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives Recent major deals: Largest UK IPO 2025 (£300m), £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear financing, £275m London landmark sale Global offices across Asia, Europe, and Middle East Regional business groups covering Africa, CEE, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye, Ukraine Go-to firm for FTSE 100 and equivalent clients across chosen sectors Known for more than just technical excellence — trusted advisors who understand clients' sectors, ambitions, and challenges Deep sector knowledge and long-term investment in relationships Location This role is based in the firm's Manchester office, located in the heart of the city's business district with excellent transport links and access to the city's amenities, restaurants, and cultural attractions. How to Apply If you're a commercially astute Commercial Associate (3 years' PQE) with experience in IT / Technology and Outsourcing, hungry for high-impact work and ready to take your career to the next level with a leading international law firm, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or 0333 996 2882