Senior Associate - 9 month FTC - March Start

Bates Wells; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Green pensions

IVF support

Private healthcare

Hybrid working model

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Bates Wells is seeking a Senior Associate to join the Corporate & Commercial team in London for a 9-month fixed term contract starting March 2028. The role focuses on technology, IT and outsourcing matters, with a client-centric approach and cross-department collaboration.

The ideal candidate is a qualified UK solicitor with 5–7 PQE and strong experience in commercial contracts, IP licensing, and client relationship management.

Qualifications

• Qualified UK solicitor with 5-7 PQE and experience in IT, commercial contracts and IP licensing.
• Strong relationship-building and client-centric approach.
• Collaborative team player with a results-focused mindset and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support IT and commercial contracts work across technology, AI, IT and outsourcing, SaaS and cloud services, IP licensing.
• Advise a range of clients across life sciences, EdTech, MedTech, retail and more while nurturing junior fee earners.
• Contribute to business development and cross-department collaboration within a strong sector groups structure.

Skills

UK solicitor PQE 5-7

Relationship building

Client-centric

Teamwork

Results driven

Communication skills

Curious mindset

Flexible / hybrid mindset

Job description

Senior Associate - 9 month FTC - March Start

Department: Corporate & Commercial

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Richard Marke

Description

This is a 9 month FTC with an ideal start date of March 2028. We are also open to both full time and part time arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

The Role

This is an exceptional opportunity to join our Commercial team and work for a range of impactful and purposeful organisations. Our lawyers work across commercial contracts and regulatory advice specialising in technology, AI, IT and outsourcing, SaaS and cloud services, IP, licensing, franchising and e-commerce, manufacturing, advertising and marketing, distribution, sponsorship and joint ventures.

The Commercial team supports a fantastic variety of clients including life sciences organisations, EdTech, MedTech, retail brands, trade and royal charter bodies, publishers, universities, awarding organisations, SMEs, B-Corps, social enterprises and charities.

We encourage all our lawyers to pursue their personal interests through their practice, develop management skills through supervising junior fee earners, contribute to business development and work cross-departmentally through our wide range of exceptionally strong sector groups.

Our permeable team structure ensures a supportive environment coupled with the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across the department.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

About you

• Qualified UK solicitor at 5-7 PQE with significant experience in IT and commercial contracts, as well as IP licensing
• The ability to build, maintain and nurture relationships
• A client-centric approach
• Teamwork – there is a place for individual effort but we highly value a collaborative approach
• A results-focused mentality – we hope you’ll challenge the status quo if you feel it’ll benefit our work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Curious mindset and flexible approach to meeting our clients evolving needs
• A genuine interest in the work we do; we encourage questions about the business and invite you to test assumptions and propose ideas

Finally, we want people whose values reflect our own and who feel inspired working in a firm with a strong social purpose.

Benefits

• Impact-Driven Purpose We align profit with social purpose to create lasting positive impact for our people, communities, and planet.
• Committed to the Climate Through our Climate Programme, we reduce environmental impact and drive a just transition to net zero.
• Championing Inclusion We foster a diverse, inclusive culture where creativity and innovation thrive.
• Flexible and Hybrid Working Our hybrid model supports balance, with part-time options and at least two office days weekly.
• Progressive Benefits We offer green pensions, IVF support, private healthcare, and more for your well-being and growth.