Legal
Terms of Service
The rules and expectations that govern your use of Backlog Agency — whether you're a candidate, a hiring team, or a recruiter partner.
Last updated: April 2026
Acceptance of these terms
These Terms of Service ('Terms') govern your use of the Backlog Agency website and services, operated by Backlog Agency ('Backlog', 'we', 'us'). By using our website, registering as a candidate, or engaging us to recruit on your behalf, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree, please do not use our services. We may update these Terms from time to time — continued use after changes are posted constitutes acceptance. The date at the bottom of this page shows when the Terms were last updated.
Description of services
Backlog Agency is a specialist recruitment agency focused exclusively on Product Management and AI Product Management placements. We connect high-calibre candidates with product-led, AI-first companies looking to hire.
Our services include: sourcing and assessing PM candidates, preparing written shortlists for hiring teams, supporting offer negotiation, and operating a digital candidate portal where registered candidates can manage their profile, view open roles, and track their placement pipeline.
We also facilitate split-fee arrangements with other specialist recruiters on mandates where collaboration adds value.
Your use of the candidate portal
Eligibility: the portal is intended for individuals who are actively or passively seeking Product Management roles. You must be at least 18 years old and legally permitted to work in the jurisdictions for which you are applying.
Account accuracy: you are responsible for keeping your profile information accurate and up to date. Misrepresenting your experience, qualifications, or right to work is grounds for immediate removal.
No placement guarantee: registering with Backlog does not guarantee a placement. We act in good faith to match your profile to relevant roles, but role availability and hiring decisions rest entirely with employers.
Submissions with consent: we will only submit your profile to a specific employer with your prior, explicit consent. We will share a written brief describing the role and company before any submission.
Confidentiality: you agree not to share the names of specific hiring companies or role details we disclose to you before a role is publicly announced.
Portal conduct: you must not attempt to circumvent authentication controls, scrape data, or use the portal in any way that disrupts the service or other users.
Engaging Backlog to recruit
Contingency model: our standard arrangement is contingency-based — no upfront fees. A placement fee is due only when a candidate we submit is hired and starts in the role.
Fee structure: our fee is a percentage of the placed candidate's agreed annual base salary. The exact percentage is agreed in writing before a search commences.
Rebate period: we offer a rebate period (typically 8–12 weeks) if the placed candidate leaves or is terminated for reasons within our control. Terms are set out in the engagement agreement.
No exclusivity required: we do not require exclusive mandates. However, to deliver the best results, we do ask that you notify us promptly if you hire a candidate through another channel who we had previously submitted.
Your obligations: you agree to provide accurate role briefs, timely interview feedback, and to notify us of offer outcomes. You must not contact candidates we submit directly outside of the recruitment process without our knowledge.
Anti-circumvention: if you hire a candidate we introduced to you within 12 months of introduction — through any channel — the full placement fee applies.
Working with other recruiters
Backlog operates a lean split-fee network for specialist PM and AI PM mandates. Recruiters who bring mandates we can assist with may agree a fee-sharing arrangement with us.
All split-fee arrangements must be agreed in writing before a candidate is submitted to the end client. Verbal agreements are not binding. Standard splits are 50/50 on the placement fee, though this is negotiable based on the nature of the mandate and contribution of each party.
Backlog reserves the right to decline any split-fee arrangement without providing a reason.
Ownership of content
All content on the Backlog Agency website — including copy, design, brand assets, and code — is owned by or licensed to Backlog Agency. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of the site without our written permission.
Candidate-submitted content (resumes, profile information) remains your property. By submitting it, you grant Backlog a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use it for the purpose of providing our recruitment services.
What we are and are not responsible for
Backlog Agency provides recruitment facilitation services. We are not a party to any employment contract between a candidate and an employer, and we accept no liability for disputes arising from those relationships.
We make no representations about the suitability, accuracy, or completeness of role descriptions provided by employers, or about the accuracy of candidate-submitted information.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Backlog Agency's total liability to you for any claim arising from these Terms or your use of our services is limited to the fees paid to us (if any) in connection with the specific matter giving rise to the claim.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law.
How we handle your data
Your use of Backlog Agency services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please read the Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.
Jurisdiction and disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms or our services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Before initiating any formal dispute, you agree to contact us at team@backlog.agency and attempt to resolve the matter informally. Most issues can be resolved quickly and without recourse to legal proceedings.
General provisions
Entire agreement: these Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any written engagement agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and Backlog Agency relating to our services.
Severability: if any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.
No waiver: failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future.
Changes: we reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to registered users by email.
If you have questions about these Terms or how we operate, get in touch at team@backlog.agency. We're a small team and you'll always reach a real person.