Commercial & Tech Principal Associate

Commercial & IT - Principal Associate | 6+ PQE | Leading UK Law Firm | Birmingham/Hybrid BCL Legal is pleased to be assisting a leading UK law firm with the recruitment of a Principal Associate to join its highly regarded Commercial & IT team in Birmingham (Hybrid working available). This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and commercially-minded solicitor to join a dynamic, forward-thinking team, advising on a broad range of high-value IT and outsourcing contracts for both private and public sector clients. The Opportunity As a Principal Associate, you will be part of a large, dedicated team, advising on an extensive variety of IT-related contracts, including traditional software licences, SaaS agreements, software development, outsourcing projects, and digital transformation deals. The team also provides advisory services on emerging regulations like the EU AI Act and the Digital Operational Resilience Act, ensuring that clients are ahead of the curve on critical legal matters. This is a rare opportunity to work with top-tier clients across a variety of sectors including automotive, aerospace, retail, food and drink, life sciences, financial services, and telecoms. The role offers exposure to both strategic, high-value deals and day-to-day business contracts, giving you a unique blend of work that you won't find in many other commercial IT practices. Recent Examples of Work Include: · Advising a leading retailer on contracts for its website transformation project · Supporting an automotive manufacturer on all aspects of its online sales platform · Helping a trade association redesign and replatform its industry-wide system · Drafting and negotiating IT outsourcing agreements for a major hospitality business · Managing the reprocurement of a critical network infrastructure for a large insurer · Advising on SaaS agreements for a company providing essential services in the energy sector · Supporting a government department on the procurement and implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system The team handles both large-scale, high-profile projects as well as a diverse range of mid-sized businesses and growing tech companies, assisting with everything from template contracts to large-scale negotiations. About You We are looking for a qualified solicitor with 6+ years' PQE, with practical experience advising on commercial IT contracts and outsourcing arrangements. The ideal candidate will be: · Team-spirited with a collaborative approach · Commercially focused and able to make pragmatic decisions · Robust in negotiation, with a track record of managing client relationships · Enthusiastic about commercial contracts, especially within the IT and outsourcing sectors · Able to assess risks and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations · Ambitious, flexible, and positive, with a keen interest in business development · Technically strong with excellent drafting skills and the ability to advise across a range of IT contracts What We Can Offer You: · Hybrid working: Balance office and remote working to suit your lifestyle · Competitive salary and bonus structure · Generous annual leave with the option to buy up to an additional week · Private medical insurance and the option to add family members · A pension allowance and life assurance covering four times your annual salary · The opportunity to take a three-month sabbatical every five years · Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave schemes · A wide range of health and wellbeing programmes · State-of-the-art offices and cutting-edge technology to support your work · Personal development opportunities: Access to comprehensive training, mentorship, and career development This firm has been consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the UK and is committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive culture. How to Apply If you are ready to take the next step in your career and want to be part of a dynamic and growing team, apply now! For a confidential discussion, please contact Angharad Warren at BCL Legal.