UK Commercial Counsel Public Sector

Elastic's International Commercial Legal department is recruiting a mid-level Corporate Counsel for Public Sector contracts. The role is full time, on site, and based in the United Kingdom, reporting to the UK and Emerging Regions Legal Director. Applicants should have at least four years of experience and be comfortable working independently.

The counsel runs the complete legal life of Public Sector agreements, including cloud and SaaS subscriptions, professional services contracts, and data processing agreements with their schedules. Responsibilities range from initial bid assistance and framework call-off talks through signature and ongoing administration. The counsel checks that agreements meet UK data protection rules, including the 2018 Act, and advises on the legal and compliance duties tied to offering cloud services to government bodies.

Support extends to Sales and RFP staff during live tenders: reviewing invitations to tender, preparing legal replies, and advising on conditions set by public buyers. The counsel works with the UK Legal Director, who is based in France, with the UK security controller, with the wider legal team spread over the USA, EMEA, and APJ, plus go-to-market staff in finance and compliance. The role also helps design workflows between Legal and other departments, including use of AI and automation.

The candidate must be qualified and permitted to practise law in the UK and have a minimum of four years drafting and negotiating technology agreements with public customers. Working understanding is needed of procurement rules for government buyers, administrative law, contract law, and security duties in technology deals, including Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, and NCSC guidance. Familiarity with legal systems in the UK, France, Australia, and Germany is listed.

Advantages include experience with public-body contracts, a self-starting approach, familiarity with how licensing and cloud commercial models work, and privacy knowledge. Background advising fast-growing companies is strongly valued, and limited travel may be required. The listing includes no salary or benefits.