Associate - Public Procurement - Exeter - 3-6 Years PQE

Chadwick Nott; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career progression

Wellbeing package

Diversity & inclusion groups

Job summary

Chadwick Nott is seeking an Associate for its Public Sector team in Exeter. The role focuses on public procurement matters across major projects, with hybrid flexibility and a permanent, full-time arrangement.

The successful candidate will handle drafting, contracts, grant funding and vires work while supporting cross-firm teams. The ideal candidate has 3-6 years PQE in public procurement, strong drafting and analytical abilities, and a solid understanding of public sector contracts and subsidy

Qualifications

• 3-6 years PQE, ideally with experience advising public sector clients or working in house within a public body
• Strong technical understanding of public procurement law (essential)
• Knowledge of public sector contracts and/or subsidy control (desirable)
• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills
• Confidence handling complex matters proactively and diligently
• Strong commercial judgement and awareness of the legal and political pressures facing public sector clients
• High attention to detail and a collaborative mindset
• Motivation, organisation and a proactive approach to professional development

Responsibilities

• Advising on the application of public procurement rules
• Drafting and negotiating public sector contracts
• Advising on grant funding, subsidy control and local authority vires
• Supporting colleagues across the firm on major public sector projects
• Assisting the disputes team with procurement challenges
• Managing your own caseload with appropriate supervision
• Contributing to the development of the firm's public sector offering

Skills

Public procurement law

Drafting

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Commercial judgement

Attention to detail

Proactivity

Job description

Associate - Public Procurement - Exeter - 3-6 Years PQE

Location: Exeter

Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time (with hybrid flexibility)

Salary: £65,000 to £85,000 (DOE)

A well regarded national firm is seeking an Associate (3-6 years PQE) to join its high performing Public Sector team in Exeter, specialising in public procurement law. The team is consistently ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers and advises local authorities, utilities providers, central government and wider public sector bodies on major national projects across sectors including EV charging, telecommunications, regeneration, marine, social housing, social care, transport, energy and asset management.

The Role

You'll be responsible for delivering high quality advice across a broad range of non contentious public sector matters, including:

• Advising on the application of public procurement rules
• Drafting and negotiating public sector contracts
• Advising on grant funding, subsidy control and local authority vires
• Supporting colleagues across the firm on major public sector projects
• Assisting the disputes team with procurement challenges
• Managing your own caseload with appropriate supervision
• Contributing to the development of the firm's public sector offering

Candidate Requirements

This role is suited to a qualified solicitor with:

• 3-6 years PQE, ideally with experience advising public sector clients or working in house within a public body
• Strong technical understanding of public procurement law (essential)
• Knowledge of public sector contracts and/or subsidy control (desirable)
• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills
• Confidence handling complex matters proactively and diligently
• Strong commercial judgment and awareness of the legal and political pressures facing public sector clients
• High attention to detail and a collaborative mindset
• Motivation, organisation and a proactive approach to professional development

Benefits

The firm offers:

• A supportive, forward thinking and values driven working environment
• Clear career progression pathways
• Hybrid working and strong work life balance support
• Opportunities to engage in responsible business initiatives, charity work and D&I groups
• A comprehensive benefits package designed to support wellbeing and professional growth

At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other personal characteristic. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.

*At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications of all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, disability, culture or anything other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.*