Senior Legal Counsel

Job description:

At Westcoast, we take pride in distributing some of the most renowned global IT brands to resellers, retailers, and organizations across the UK and beyond. As an innovative and inclusive company, we thrive on teamwork and the diverse talents of our people.

The Job Role

We are looking for a commercially focused Senior Legal Counsel to join our legal team covering the UK and Ireland within a fast-paced IT distribution environment. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor with 5–7 years PQE and proven experience of general commercial contracts and data protection processes. You will support the business across a broad range of legal matters, helping to manage risk and enable growth across our vendor, supplier, and customer relationships. From time to time, company secretarial support will be required.

This role is based in our Theale office (near M4 Junction 12), with onsite parking and nearby public transport links, and available on a hybrid basis with 4 days office based.

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities Will Include:

• Commercial contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts including high value distribution agreements, reseller and supplier contracts, licensing and SaaS. Advise on contractual terms with a focus on risk mitigation, commercial outcomes, and operational efficiency.

• Data Protection & Privacy: Act as the Local (UK & Ireland) Data Protection Officer, reporting for this part of the role to a Chief Data Protection Officer, based in Germany. Support the implementation and ongoing development of data protection policies, procedures, and training across the business.

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to IT distribution and advise on implications. Support compliance with competition law, anti-bribery, and export controls. Support compliance with competition law, anti-bribery, and export controls.

• Corporate & Strategic Support: Provide legal input on strategic initiatives including new product launches, partnerships, and international expansion. Support the Local Compliance Officer with corporate governance and assist with group legal matters as required.

Is this the role for you?

To be successful in this role you will have some of the following skills and experience and the desire to develop in other areas:

• UK-qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with 5–7 years PQE, ideally gained both in-house and at a leading law firm.
• Strong experience in commercial contract negotiation and drafting within the IT, tech, or distribution sectors.
• Fast moving and ahead of the curve in relation to developments such as AI.
• Solid understanding of data protection laws and practical experience advising on privacy compliance.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and demonstrate attention to detail.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization and collaborate with a positive attitude.

What's in It for You?

This is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the IT industry, build lasting relationships, and grow with a Sunday Times Top Track 100 company.

• Growth Opportunities: We offer training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential. Whether it's funded apprenticeships, work-based studies, or professional qualifications, we've got you covered.
• Generous Benefits Package: Enjoy 25 days of holiday, salary sacrifice pension, employee referral bonuses, perks and discounts. (Theale only – New fully equipped gym available 24/7).
• Wellbeing Support: Access to Westcoast Wellbeing services including mental health counselling, virtual GP services, physiotherapy, life insurance, eye care schemes, and more.
• Community & Connection: Our teams enjoy social and charitable events throughout the year, fostering a strong sense of belonging.

What's Next?

If you're ready to join a company that values its people and rewards success, click apply to start the quick application process (5-6 mins).

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to provide individual feedback for every candidate. If you don't hear from us within 14 working days, we've moved forward with other applicants for this role, but we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.