Commercial Senior Associate

Commercial Associate 4+PQE - Manchester - Salary up to £105k

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Commercial Lawyer (4+ PQE) to join a highly regarded commercial practice advising leading UK and international businesses.

This is a standout opportunity to work on complex, high-value commercial and technology projects that sit at the heart of clients’ digital transformation and operational change. You’ll support a diverse client base including FTSE 100 companies, household-name retailers, energy and utilities providers, and industrial and manufacturing businesses.

The role offers a broad mix of commercial, IT and outsourcing work, from SaaS and cloud arrangements to large-scale outsourcing and strategic sourcing projects, alongside general commercial contracting. You’ll take early ownership of matters, lead client relationships where appropriate, and collaborate with senior lawyers on major, multi-party transactions.

You can expect:

• Structured support, mentoring and clear progression based on performance and potential
• Early responsibility with meaningful client exposure
• Opportunities to deepen expertise across commercial, technology and IP-adjacent matters
• High-quality work on complex, medium to large-scale transactions
• A cohesive national team with strong prospects for long-term career growth

The Team

You’ll join an international commercial practice working closely across offices on complex and cross-border matters.

The team advises on a wide range of commercial arrangements, including:

• Commercial contracting and supply arrangements
• Technology and digital agreements
• Outsourcing and managed services
• Cloud, SaaS and licensing models
• Intellectual property use and protection

The culture is supportive, inclusive and quality-driven — combining high standards with approachability and genuine teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate and advise on a wide range of commercial, technology and outsourcing contracts.
• Lead and support on strategic digital transformation projects
• Advise clients on IT outsourcing, SaaS/cloud services, software licensing and supply chain arrangements
• Manage your own matters while supporting on larger or multi-party transactions
• Provide commercially focused advice that balances legal risk with business objectives
• Engage directly with clients, building trusted and long-term working relationships
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across offices and disciplines
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to knowledge sharing and business development

The Candidate

You’ll be a qualified solicitor in England & Wales with 4–7 years’ PQE, gained within a recognised commercial practice.

You will have:

• Strong experience advising on general commercial contracts
• Demonstrable exposure to various technology matters such as IT outsourcing, SaaS/cloud, software licensing and digital projects
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Confidence managing your own workload and leading transactions
• A consultative, commercially minded approach to client advice
• A genuine interest in understanding clients’ businesses and building long-term relationships

The Benefits

• Salary up to £105k
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Generous bonus structure
• 25 days annual leave package plus bank holidays and Christmas
• Company Pension
• Travel & Medical Insurance

Apply in the strictest of confidence

Dominika Holda, Recruitment Consultant (Commercial)

Direct Dial: 0161 826 3140 Mobile: 07376 640 525

E-mail: dominika.holda@williamjamesrecruitment.com

WILLIAM JAMES RECRUITMENT

William James Recruitment is the number one recruitment partner to law firms in the UK & internationally. We work with a variety of top-tier clients, including a range of legal 500 firms.