Associate General Counsel - Commercial Contracts
EY is a global network of professional services firms engaged in consulting, transaction, assurance and tax services with member firms in over 170 countries worldwide. The UK firm of Ernst & Young LLP has over 900 partners and approximately 20,000 employees.

The UK Legal team is well established and highly regarded. Led by our General Counsel, Lisa Cameron, we comprise 32 lawyers supported by 4 paralegals. The UK Legal team also forms part of a Global legal function.

The opportunity
We have a vacancy for an Associate General Counsel - Commercial Contracts at director level within our high performing and ambitious in-house legal team. We respond to business transformation and innovation, enjoying a varied and challenging workload, and support the new EY All in Strategy by showing curiosity, intelligence and energy to deliver prompt, pragmatic, adaptable and commercial legal advice to all levels within our business.

Your key responsibilities
The work within the UK Legal team is highly varied and covers all legal issues arising from the running of a professional services business. Much of the legal work is at the cutting edge of business practice as EY constantly finds innovative ways to help our clients’ businesses. This in-house role includes:

• The opportunity to be the legal lead and to interface with senior leadership on firm-wide commercial projects and influence the firm’s strategic approach to contracting with both clients and suppliers
• Advising on, drafting and negotiating client contracts, such as engagement agreements Master Services Agreements and Global Framework Agreements with our clients as well as other complex contractual arrangements pursuant to which we provide an ever more diverse range of services. These will include;
  • Technology, Software and Licensing agreements
  • Subcontracts, where EY is subcontractor
  • Collaboration agreements
  • Managed services and outsourcing agreements
  • Government and public sector agreements
  • Advising on tenders and RFP responses
  • Advising on, drafting and negotiating contracts with suppliers

Skills and attributes for success

• Accustomed to working at pace and with the ability to focus on what matters
• Adept at explaining the legal side of contracting with good awareness of varying risk appetites.
• Strong leadership and management skills ability to provide a view succinctly and with authority, take responsibility and ownership of issues, including an ability to take difficult decisions and withstand pressure.
• Commercial awareness of the business issues facing us as we evolve, coupled with an active desire to get alongside our client facing colleagues, scanning the horizon for new service offerings to provide legal insight and support. Team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills
• Demonstrable commitment to the attributes of our highest performing teams – focus on results, accepts accountability, committed, embraces healthy conflict, builds trust and internal networks.
• Keeps calm, is proactive and copes well with conflicting and ever-changing deadlines

To qualify for the role you must have

• Approximately 15 or more years of post-qualification experience
• Significant experience gained either in a reputable City law firm (or equivalent) and/or inhouse
• Proven experience of leading a team of commercial lawyers whether in-house or in private practice
• Ability to provide practical legal advice and support with a high degree of professionalism in a fast-paced environment and to establish a high degree of credibility, respect and trust at all levels
• Significant experience of drafting and negotiating agreements for technology related services, including software development, systems integration and business transformation projects, licence and SaaS agreements, and a good understanding of the needs of technology sector clients
• Good knowledge of intellectual property laws and the protection of intellectual property
• General experience gained in drafting/reviewing & negotiating commercial contracts
• Proven ability to establish a high degree of credibility, respect and trust at all levels, including with senior members of an organisation
  

What we look for
A self-starter, adept at responding promptly/juggling deadlines who actively looks to build relationships based on trust and confidence.

What working at EY offers
We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you

EY is committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We strive to achieve the right balance for our people, enabling us to deliver excellent client service whilst allowing you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities. Our flexible working arrangements can help you to achieve a lifestyle balance.

About EY
As a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, we’re using the finance products, expertise and systems we’ve developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime. And with a commitment to hiring and developing the most passionate people, we’ll make our
ambition to be the best employer a reality.

If you can confidently demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

Join us in building a better working world.

Apply now.