Associate - Commercial Technology

Simmons & Simmons; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Private medical insurance

Pension contribution

Global skills academy

Hybrid working model

Simmons & Simmons Solutions

Stonewall Top Global Employer

Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility

Social and sports committees

Strategic Advisory Council

Job summary

Simmons & Simmons is seeking an Associate (1-3 PQE) to join the Digital Business team in Bristol or London. You will work on high-profile commercial technology transactions, cross-border collaborations and digital transformation matters for leading domestic and international clients.

You will advise on technology procurement, licensing, cloud services, outsourcing and emerging tech projects, developing client relationships and taking early responsibility within a collaborative, inclusive team.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ PQE in a leading commercial, technology or commercial contracts practice.
• Strong experience advising on commercial technology transactions, technology procurement, outsourcing or complex contracts.
• Interest in AI, digital transformation and emerging technologies.
• Experience of data protection and privacy matters would be advantageous, but not essential.
• Strong drafting, technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent academics.
• Commercially minded with a strong client focus.
• Able to work effectively as part of a collaborative and inclusive team.
• Enthusiastic, proactive and keen to build a long-term career within a leading international practice.

Responsibilities

• Advise on technology procurement, licensing and implementation.
• Cloud services and SaaS arrangements.
• Outsourcing and managed services transactions.
• AI and emerging technology projects.
• Commercialisation, development and deployment of technology products and services.
• Complex commercial contracts and strategic technology arrangements.

Skills

Drafting skills

Analytical skills

Commercial technology transactions

Collaborative teamwork

AI interest

Job description

Overview

Our Digital Business team advises on some of the most innovative and strategically important technology projects in the market. We work with both users and suppliers of technology across a range of sectors, including Financial Institutions, Asset Management & Investment Funds, TMT, ENRIC and Healthcare & Life Sciences.

The team is recognised for its expertise in commercial technology transactions, technology procurement, outsourcing, fintech, data and emerging technologies. We help clients navigate complex commercial, legal and regulatory challenges arising from the development, acquisition, implementation and use of technology.

Our work includes:

• Technology procurement and implementation projects, including cloud services, SaaS, software licensing, support and maintenance arrangements.
• Major outsourcing and managed services transactions.
• AI, machine learning and other emerging technology projects.
• Commercialisation, development and licensing of technology products and services.
• Fintech, digital innovation and technology-enabled business models.
• Data-driven projects, including strategic data use and commercialisation opportunities.
• Commercial arrangements such as collaboration agreements, strategic partnerships, distribution arrangements and joint ventures.
• Multi-jurisdictional technology and digital transformation projects.

We are known for delivering commercially focused, practical advice on business-critical projects and for helping clients embrace technological change with confidence.

Role

We are seeking an Associate (1-3 PQE) to join our growing Digital Business team in either Bristol or London.

This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer with strong commercial technology experience to work on high-profile technology and digital transformation matters for leading domestic and international clients. You will work closely with partners and senior lawyers across the Digital Business group and gain exposure to a broad range of complex and innovative transactions.

The successful candidate will advise on a variety of commercial technology matters, with a particular focus on:

• Technology procurement, licensing and implementation projects.
• Cloud services and SaaS arrangements.
• Outsourcing and managed services transactions.
• AI and emerging technology projects.
• Commercialisation, development and deployment of technology products and services.
• Complex commercial contracts and strategic technology arrangements.

You will work as part of collaborative, cross-border teams and will have the opportunity to take early responsibility, develop client relationships and contribute to business development initiatives across the practice.

Person Specification

• 1-3 years’ PQE gained within a leading commercial, technology or commercial contracts practice.
• Strong experience advising on commercial technology transactions, technology procurement, outsourcing and/or complex commercial contracts.
• An interest in AI, digital transformation and emerging technologies.
• Experience of data protection and privacy matters would be advantageous, but is not essential.
• Strong drafting, technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent academics.
• Commercially minded with a strong client focus.
• Able to work effectively as part of a collaborative and inclusive team.
• Enthusiastic, proactive and keen to build a long‑term career within a leading international practice.

Here at Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons is a place where dynamic minds thrive. Our culture is built on work that matters, you will work on inspirational and thought‑provoking projects, using your influence to create positive impact for our clients, society and the planet. We also ensure that everyone’s voice is heard from day one, irrespective of job title, qualification, or background. You’ll be encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that can drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will be provided with a platform to excel, enabling you to exceed your career ambitions and do things you never thought were possible.

Key Highlights

• Competitive compensation package, including bonuses, private medical insurance, and pension contribution.
• A global skills academy offering extensive learning opportunities for all employees.
• A hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days in-office, subject to role and client needs.
• Integration of traditional legal expertise with innovative Simmons & Simmons Solutions.
• Recognition as a Stonewall Top Global Employer and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.
• Vibrant social and sports committees, as well as art collections featuring renowned artists.
• The introduction of a Strategic Advisory Council to drive strategic initiatives in line with our mission.

Equal opportunities

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, offering equal employment opportunities to all applicants irrespective of sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and more. Flexible working arrangements are supported, and we strive to make our roles accessible to all. Our employee networks offer additional support, detailed in our D& I Information booklet provided during the recruitment process.

We value diversity and encourage applications from those who are passionate and willing to grow with us, even if not all requirements are met. Your unique experiences and perspectives are welcomed here.

Recruitment Agencies

We prioritise direct sourcing and referrals, engaging with our preferred agency partners where support is required. Unsolicited CVs submitted without the prior agreement of the recruitment team will not be deemed a valid introduction.

Please contact the recruitment team if you have any questions.