Senior Associate - Government and Public Sector

DWF; North Tyneside; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join our Government and Public Sector practice. The role offers hybrid working from multiple regional offices across the UK and the opportunity to advise central, devolved and local government authorities on public law and commercial matters.

We welcome applications from experienced Associates and Senior Associates, including those seeking their first Director appointment, with a track record in governance, vires and stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• Substantive experience advising central, devolved, and local and regional government authorities on public law and commercial issues.
• Knowledge of governance and vires/powers within central and local government.
• Commercially minded with excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Collaborative approach to building relationships with clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Advise public sector bodies on public law and commercial issues.
• Deliver high-quality, technically precise, and commercially focused advice to clients with an excellent level of service.
• Line manage and support more junior members in the team.
• Build working relationships internally and externally in order to maintain key client relationships and develop business networks.

Skills

Public law

Governance

Vires/powers

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Team leadership

Job description

Why join us?

DWF are currently recruiting for an experienced Associate or Senior Associate to join our growing Government and Public Sector practice.

You will be joining an established and growing Government and Public Sector practice that is on key public sector frameworks and has a market-leading reputation for quality especially in Subsidy Control and Public Procurement.

The team works for central government authorities, mayoral combined authorities and local authorities, R&D, education and health institutions, police authorities, charities, and key suppliers and institutions working with the public sector.

We are flexible on experience level and would welcome applications from both experienced Associates and Senior Associates. We would also consider a high‑performing Senior Associate seeking their first Director appointment.

The role is ideally suited to candidates based in one of our regional offices, including Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham or Liverpool, with a flexible, hybrid working approach. We are also open to candidates based elsewhere within DWF’s UK footprint, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Advise public sector bodies on public law and commercial issues including governance and vires/powers for central government and local government organisations in particular.
• Deliver high-quality, technically precise, and commercially focused advice to clients with an excellent level of service.
• Line manage and support more junior members in the team.
• Build working relationships internally and externally in order to maintain key client relationships and develop business networks.

Essential

• Substantive experience advising central, devolved, and local and regional government authorities (and those engaging with them) on public law and commercial issues including governance and vires/powers for central government and local government organisations in particular.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the inner workings of central, regional and local government bodies and the interaction of politics, public policy and delivery (NB. in‑house public sector experience is an advantage).
• Commercially minded with excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• A collaborative approach to building and developing relationships with clients and colleagues.

What we offer

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.