Construction, Senior Associate - Top 100 Firm

The Opportunity

A Top 100 London Firm is seeking a Senior Associate to join its highly regarded and growing Construction Team.

The Construction Team advises clients throughout the full construction lifecycle, from initial feasibility, planning and design through to procurement, early engagement of the supply chain, delivery and final completion. The team combines technical expertise, commercial insight and sector knowledge, working closely with specialists across Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, Insolvency, Tax and Dispute Resolution to provide an integrated service.

The successful candidate will take the lead on complex matters with a high degree of autonomy, acting as a trusted adviser to clients while playing an active role in supervising and developing junior lawyers.

The role will involve working with a diverse client base including developers, property investors, asset and investment managers, banks and funders, housebuilders, occupiers, private individuals, designers, consultants and contractors across a broad range of sectors.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established construction lawyer to take on greater responsibility within a collaborative and ambitious practice. The role is principally focused on non-contentious construction, although experience of contentious matters would also be beneficial.

Nature of the Work

• Advising on procurement strategy and implementation across traditional contracting, design and build, EPC and management contracting structures.
• Drafting and negotiating pre-construction agreements, enabling works contracts, building and engineering contracts and bespoke project documentation.
• Preparing and negotiating consultant appointments, framework agreements and related professional team documentation.
• Advising on risk allocation, insurance arrangements, payment and performance security, including bonds, guarantees, collateral warranties and third-party rights.
• Advising on development agreements, forward funding arrangements, agreements for lease, development management agreements and contracts containing development obligations.
• Working across residential, office, hospitality, logistics, later living, healthcare and other development sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex non-contentious construction matters and projects, providing clear, technically strong and commercially focused advice.
• Draft, review and negotiate industry-standard and bespoke construction documentation.
• Act as the principal day-to-day contact for clients, taking ownership of matters, anticipating issues and maintaining momentum throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with colleagues across the firm to deliver an integrated service aligned with client objectives.
• Supervise, mentor and support junior lawyers, providing clear delegation, constructive feedback and technical guidance.
• Build and deepen client relationships and identify opportunities for additional support.
• Contribute actively to pitches, profile-raising activity and the wider business development strategy of the practice.
• Support the Partners with matter management, resourcing, financial discipline and the continued development of team knowledge and working practices.

Key Skills and Experience

• A qualified solicitor in England and Wales, or equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience within a recognised construction practice, gained primarily in private practice, with a strong focus on non-contentious construction work.
• A developed understanding of construction law, procurement structures and the commercial drivers affecting construction and development projects.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating industry-standard and bespoke construction documentation, with JCT experience essential.
• Familiarity with NEC, FIDIC or other standard forms would be advantageous.
• The ability to lead complex matters with limited supervision, exercise sound judgement and communicate technical issues clearly and pragmatically.
• Strong client management and business development skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships with clients, intermediaries and colleagues.
• Experience supervising and developing junior lawyers and contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, organisational and project management skills, together with a high level of professionalism, integrity and attention to detail.

The Firm

The firm is a Top 100 London Firm based in the heart of the City, providing a broad range of legal services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services and Disputes.

Its continued growth is driven by the strength of its teams, the quality of its client relationships and its commitment to developing its people.

The firm promotes a collaborative and supportive culture built around trust, respect and teamwork. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development, a focus on work-life balance and an active firmwide community, alongside regular networking and social activities.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary and bonus
• Competitive pension plan
• 25 days' annual leave
• Additional leave for key life moments, including birthdays, moving house, marriage or civil partnership and having children
• Option to purchase up to five additional days of annual leave each year
• Life Assurance providing 4x salary cover
• Competitive income protection scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme, including face-to-face counselling services
• Travel Season Ticket Loan
• Give As You Earn Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Subsidised gym membership
• Pilates classes
• Staff Recruitment Referral Bonus Scheme
• Client Introduction Bonus Scheme