Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial, Corporate Structuring, IP & Data (12 month FTC)

Why join us? We are seeking an experienced Senior In-House Lawyer on a fixed-term basis for 12 months to provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal support across commercial contracts, corporate structuring, governance, intellectual property and data protection. You will act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, enabling the business to execute transactions and operational change efficiently while managing legal and regulatory risk. The role is ideally suited to candidates based close to one of our regional offices, including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds or Birmingham with a remote/hybrid working approach. Responsibilities Draft, review and negotiate client/customer and supplier agreements, including SOWs, SLAs and technology contracts. Advise on group structure, intra-group agreements and broader corporate governance matters. Provide advice on IP ownership, licensing, assignment and infringement risk, ensuring contracts clearly define rights and obligations. Support on data sharing agreements, confidentiality, security obligations and international data matters. Partner with senior stakeholders to deliver pragmatic, solution-oriented legal advice and effectively manage risk. What will help you succeed in this role? Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification in-house experience. Strong experience negotiating commercial contracts (client and supplier). Well-rounded expertise in corporate governance/structuring, IP and data protection. Proven ability to work independently and advise senior stakeholders in fast-paced environments. Experience operating within professional or financial services and regulated frameworks. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. What we offer? We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team. About us DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.