Construction Legal Director

Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment represents a well-established West End law firm seeking a Senior Associate or Legal Director to join its Construction team in London. The role offers high-quality non-contentious construction work, autonomy, and progression within a collaborative environment, with emphasis on client relationships and business development.

You will mentor juniors, supervise matters, and contribute to the continued growth of the practice, while handling complex drafting and project

Qualifications

• Substantial non-contentious construction experience.
• Strong drafting and negotiation of building contracts.
• Autonomous work style with leadership potential.

Responsibilities

• Lead matters within the Construction team.
• Supervise junior lawyers and mentor staff.
• Develop and maintain client relationships and BD.
• Contribute to firm growth and strategy.

Skills

Non-contentious construction

Drafting & negotiating contracts

Client-facing

Business development

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

London | West End Law Firm | Senior Associate / Legal Director

An established and highly regarded West End law firm is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Associate or Legal Director into its growing Construction practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior construction lawyer looking for high-quality work, genuine responsibility and progression, without the billing expectations typically associated with larger City practices.

The Construction team sits within a broader, well-established Property practice and advises clients across a wide range of development, construction and remediation projects.

The Role

The successful candidate will take a senior role within the team, managing their own matters while working closely with partners, consultants and junior lawyers.

The practice is predominantly non-contentious construction, with work including:

• Drafting and negotiating building contracts, professional appointments, PCSAs, collateral warranties, guarantees and bonds
• Advising on construction aspects of development agreements and agreements for lease
• Advising clients on procurement strategies and project structures
• Providing detailed advice on contractual provisions and construction risk
• Supporting clients throughout the lifecycle of significant development and construction projects
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with developers, property owners, investors and other construction-sector clients

There is also an opportunity to undertake significant Building Safety Act and remediation work, including remediation agreements, Building Safety Fund and Cladding Safety Scheme matters and the Developer Remediation Contract.

At this level, the firm is looking for someone who can become an important part of the continued development of the practice.

Alongside fee-earning, you will have the opportunity to:

• Supervise and mentor junior lawyers
• Develop existing client relationships
• Play an active role in business development
• Help shape the continued growth of the Construction practice
• Work towards further progression within a supportive partnership structure

The emphasis is equally on finding someone with the relationships, commercial mindset and appetite to develop business over time.

The Candidate

Applications are welcomed from experienced non-contentious construction lawyers operating at Senior Associate, or Legal Director level.

You should have substantial experience drafting and negotiating construction documentation and be comfortable running matters with a high degree of autonomy.

The firm is particularly interested in lawyers who are commercial, pragmatic and client-facing, with strong drafting skills and the ability to manage complex matters.

Experience of building safety and remediation would be particularly valuable, although it is not essential.

The team will also consider lawyers from appropriate common-law jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, where practising status and experience are suitable for the position.

Why Consider It?

The proposition is particularly attractive for lawyers who want to maintain sophisticated construction work while moving away from the heavier billing cultures of some larger City practices.

The firm operates with a comparatively manageable billable-hour expectation, alongside meaningful recognition for business development and wider contribution to the practice.

Culture is important. The team is looking for someone who wants to be visible, collaborative and engaged with colleagues and the wider firm, rather than simply operating as an individual fee-earner.

For someone with a growth mindset who wants strong client exposure, autonomy, sensible hours and a genuine opportunity to develop their position within a growing Construction practice, this offers a compelling senior-level move.