Associate - Commercial Contracts - Birmingham (2-4 PQE)

Eversheds; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global law firm is seeking an Associate specializing in Commercial Contracts in Birmingham. The ideal candidate will have 2-4 years of PQE, with strong skills in contract law and the ability to provide commercial support across various sectors including transport and utilities. Responsibilities include advising on high-value contracts and participating in business development activities. This position offers flexible working arrangements and an emphasis on personal and professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Healthcare and wellness support

Professional training and development programs

Retirement planning assistance

Qualifications

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of different types of contracts.
• Communicate effectively at different levels.
• Build strong relationships across teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise on a wide range of business matters and contracts.
• Provide commercial support for corporate and real estate transactions.
• Participate in business-development activities.

Skills

Contract law knowledge

Technical and drafting skills

Strong analytical skills

Business development activities

Client service delivery

Education

2-4 years PQE

Tools

Legal research resources

Job description

Associate – Commercial Contracts – Birmingham (2‑4 PQE)

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re a full‑service firm with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever the challenge and wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values and are purposeful and purpose‑led. So although the world is fast‑moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services, if you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast‑moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

Our Commercial team is split into five workstreams – Strategic Contracts, Technology, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy and Retail Finance. We are actively recruiting for an Associate to join our Commercial team in Birmingham, focusing on Strategic Contracts.

Our Strategic Contracts team covers a range of work from day‑to‑day matters for local and national clients to large outsourcings and multinational projects, working with colleagues around the globe. We have particular expertise in global facilities and property management outsourcings and regularly advise on some of the largest supply‑chain contracts, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors for blue‑chip automotive clients.

Role and Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a national team advising on a wide range of matters from high‑value, long‑term strategic arrangements to more day‑to‑day business‑as‑usual matters and standard‑form contracts.
• Work with a wide range of private and public‑sector businesses across a wide range of sectors such as transport, utilities and industrial engineering on a local, national and international level.
• Provide commercial support for transactions undertaken by our corporate and real‑estate teams.
• Develop close working relationships with colleagues in different teams and offices throughout the business both nationally and internationally and have the opportunity to learn from different partners.
• Participate in and contribute to structured business‑development activity, including assisting to write client briefings and articles.

Skills and Experience Required

We are looking for applicants with 2‑4 years PQE who have built a solid foundation in contract law. We expect you to be able to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of different types of contract, strong technical and drafting skills and also an understanding of the key legal, commercial and operational issues that could impact our clients and their contracts. You should also understand what specialist support might be needed for a contract (e.g. TUPE, data protection, competition law). You must be able to demonstrate strong analytical skills and attention to detail, communicate effectively at different levels, and build strong relationships. You should enjoy business‑development activities.

We are looking for someone who

• Has the ability to deal with the competing demands of clients, working flexibly to tight deadlines.
• Can deliver excellent client service; due to the nature of the work, drive, enthusiasm and the ability to work well as part of a team are vital.
• Possesses good technical and drafting skills and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
• Has strong research skills and is familiar with the use of precedents and external legal resources.
• Can build great relationships with colleagues across practice groups and ideally has experience supporting junior colleagues.
• Has good networking skills and can build client relationships and develop new relationships.
• Is commercially aware and willing to participate in group training and learning.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable.
• We share in the success of the firm and reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and individual performance.
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote‑working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid work.
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support.
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions, through structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programmes.
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross‑function exposure.
• We provide an opportunity to give back through pro‑bono work and community engagement.
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals – together. We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process. We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Legal
• Law practice