Projects Lawyer

Pinsent Masons; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic and award-winning team at a leading firm in the energy and infrastructure sectors. As a Senior Associate, you will play a pivotal role in managing high-profile projects and transactions across the Middle East and beyond. This position offers the chance to work closely with senior lawyers and engage in business development activities, all while being part of a collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation. If you have a strong technical background and a passion for client service, this opportunity will allow you to make a significant impact in a market-leading team.

Benefits

First-class training and career development programme

Collaborative work environment

Opportunities for high-profile assignments

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE with experience in energy/infrastructure practice.
• Strong project management and business development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage transactions while developing client relationships.
• Supervise associates and contribute to business development.

Skills

Technical legal skills

Project management skills

Interpersonal skills

Business development

Education

Law degree

Job description

We are currently looking to recruit a Senior Associate with around 5 years PQE or more to join the Finance & Projects team of Pinsent Masons LLP in Dubai.

Background

The role sits within the Middle East Finance & Projects team based in the Dubai office. The team carries out a wide range of work focused on the energy & infrastructure sectors, including project finance, PPP, front-end construction and sector-focused acquisitions and joint ventures across the Middle East (with a growing emphasis on Saudi Arabia), Asia and Africa.

We are an award-winning team and recognized leader in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Clients include international and local banks, development banks, governments, infrastructure asset owners, developers, contractors and service companies. This is a transactional role, involving a large amount of client contact and providing opportunities to work on innovative and high-profile projects in the Middle East region and globally. You would be working with a team of senior lawyers including the Regional Managing Partner; Catherine Workman, and the Regional Head of Finance & Projects; Tim Armsby. The role demands a readiness to undertake business development and marketing activities with enthusiasm. The team and its projects have been the recipient of a number of awards and nominations including:

• Law firm of the Year - Middle East Solar Industry Association Awards 2019, 2020 & 2021
• Construction Team of the Year - Middle East Legal Awards, 2019 and 2021
• Real Estate and Construction Team of the Year - Oath Middle East Legal Awards, 2021
• IJ Global Shortlisted for Legal Advisor of the Year, 2020 and 2021
• IJ Global - MENA Solar Deal of the Year (DEWA-Phase IV), 2019
• IFLR Shortlisted for Project Finance Team of the Year, 2021
• IFLR - Project Finance Deal of the Year (DEWA-Phase IV), 2019
• PFI - Middle East Power Deal of the Year (DEWA-Phase IV), 2019

The Candidate Required

This is a dynamic team where every team member can make his or her own mark. Senior Associates are a key part of the team's structure and future development and are expected to take responsibility for leading and managing projects, developing and leading client relationships, contributing to the team's business development plans, and supporting the growth of more junior team members. Liaison with our exclusively associated Saudi law firm in Riyadh; Alsabhan & Alajaji Law Firm, is of growing importance.

The role is wide-ranging and includes:

• having excellent technical legal skills;
• supervising associates and junior lawyers in the team;
• leading and managing transactions;
• developing on-going relationships with the existing client base as well as pitching for new opportunities;
• developing close working relationships as part of an international team;
• the opportunity to be involved in work on high profile projects and cross-border transactions on a global scale;
• contributing to our globally read Outlaw e-publication and external publications on topical issues and developments in our markets;
• taking an active role in our business development campaigns, the development of our innovative products and pitching for new work.

The successful candidates will:

• have gained experience in a firm with an established energy and/or infrastructure practice;
• have experience of project development transactions from a commercial and/or finance perspective;
• demonstrate experience of acting in a leading role in key transactions, being a self-starter and taking responsibility for client service and of managing the transaction and the team;
• be a team player, able to forge strong working relationships with colleagues;
• be technically strong and exercise good commercial judgment;
• be receptive to different ways of working including strong project management skills;
• have interpersonal skills necessary for this client-facing role;
• have experience in business development activities including presenting seminars or training sessions to external parties.

What will we offer you?

• The opportunity to join the market-leading team, yet one that remains dynamic with the ambition to continue to grow in the region.
• A collaborative environment where colleagues work together across offices and countries to produce outstanding results for our clients.
• Colleagues who are leading specialists in energy and infrastructure law and practice.
• A first-class training and career development programme. Our training reflects our position as a market leader in energy and infrastructure. Our training will assist you to develop as a specialist with valuable sector knowledge and the ability to deliver "best of breed" services.
• The opportunity to be part of a team working on standout high-profile international, national and local assignments.