Managing Associate Technology & Outsourcing

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm in Manchester seeks a Commercial Associate with 3 years PQE. The role involves advising on technology transformations, managing diverse projects, and fostering strong client relationships. Ideal candidates will be qualified solicitors with a solid understanding of commercial law and experience in IT outsourcing. The position offers a competitive salary of £50,000 - £70,000 plus bonuses, along with excellent career development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Training programmes and mentorship

Qualifications

• At least 3 years post-qualification experience in private practice or in-house.
• Proven ability to deliver tailored advice supporting stakeholders.
• Track record of strong financial performance and client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Advise on tech transformations and cloud arrangements.
• Lead projects with confidence managing own workload.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to group success.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of commercial law

Experience in IT / Technology and Outsourcing

Strong technical, analytical and project management skills

Ability to build deep client relationships

Good drafting skills

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales

Job description

Job Description

Commercial Associate Technology & Outsourcing

Location

Manchester

PQE Level

3 years PQE

Salary

£50,000 - £70,000 Bonus

About 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 5000 of the worlds 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.

With a strong global presence the firm has offices across Asia (Japan, Singapore), Europe (England & Wales, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Scotland, Spain), the Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, UAE) and regional business groups covering Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye and Ukraine.

Recent major deals include the largest UK IPO of 2025 (£300m market capitalisation), the £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear power station financing and the £275m sale of an iconic London landmark to a luxury international hotel group.

About 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 respecting 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.

The team in Leeds is led by 6 partners and offers excellent prospects for career development, secondments and cross‑border work.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on tech transformations, cloud and SaaS arrangements, IT outsourcing, business process outsourcing, facilities management outsourcing, logistics, IT licences and commercial contracts.
• Advise on medium to large‑scale transactions across a variety of sectors, particularly where digitalisation, outsourcing and regulatory change converge.
• Advise on complex regulated technology data outsourcing and transformation matters.
• Lead projects with confidence and precision, managing your own workload and delivering complex high‑value commercial and technology projects.
• Build deep client relationships and become a trusted advisor for clients commercial needs.
• Mentor junior team members, help shape the future of the group and contribute to the team’s success and reputation.
• Draft clear and legally effective documents reflecting the client’s instructions.
• Maintain efficient diary and task management across a range of matters.
• Adopt a consultative and thorough approach to tasks, remain calm and optimistic in time‑sensitive situations, and find solutions to clients legal challenges and requirements.
• Demonstrate a commercial mindset and a pragmatic solutions‑driven approach.

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.
• Good drafting skills and the ability to produce clear and legally effective documents.
• Ability to adopt a consultative and thorough approach to tasks, maintain efficient diary and task management, and deliver high‑quality client service.

Highly Desirable

• Experience advising on tech transformations, cloud & SaaS arrangements, IT outsourcing, business process outsourcing, facilities management outsourcing, logistics, IT licences and commercial contracts.
• Experience advising on medium to large‑scale transactions where digitalisation, outsourcing and regulatory change converge.
• Experience advising on complex regulated technology data outsourcing and transformation matters.
• Experience working for private and public sector clients, in a large international law firm environment, on high‑value complex transactions.
• Strong client relationship skills, cross‑border transaction experience and exposure to secondments.

Key Attributes

• Client‑focused with a 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 communication and interpersonal skills.
• Adaptable and flexible approach to work.
• Self‑motivated with a 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.

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.

• Competitive salary: £50,000 - £70,000 + bonus scheme.
• International full‑service law firm with 250 years of heritage.
• Support over 5,000 of the world’s most respected organisations globally.
• Over 50 areas of business law across more than 100 countries.
• Award‑winning commercial team ranked in Tier 1 for IT.
• High‑performing cohesive and busy team with excellent prospects for career development.
• Opportunities for secondments and cross‑border work.
• Work on high‑impact matters for sophisticated clients and contribute directly to delivery of complex high‑value commercial and technology projects.
• Regular formal training programmes and mentoring / coaching and leadership programmes.
• Clear career progression pathway and support for a long‑term career.
• Culture of improvement, growth and collaboration within a supportive and collegiate environment.

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 are 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 would love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact us.

Employment Type

Full‑time

Vacancy

1

Key Skills

• Computer Science, Mainframe, Active Directory, Information Technology, ISO, Windows, ASP.NET, Information Security, Linux, Project Management, Computer System, strategic plan, Db2, Dns, Technical Support.