Construction Partner / Legal Director

Vincere; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cash Plan

Pension scheme (NEST)

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

25 days annual leave + birthday day

Job summary

Vincere is seeking a Construction Partner (Legal Director) to establish and lead a flagship Construction & Engineering practice in the Reading area. You will leverage an established client following and operate with executive support to deliver comprehensive advice across contentious and non-contentious matters.

You will enjoy direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit-distribution model, and a modern hybrid working policy.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 8+ years’ PQE in Construction and Engineering law.
• Portable client following (developers, main contractors, sub-contractors, funds or consultants) to anchor and scale the practice (essential).
• Non-contentious drafting and negotiating standard-form suites (including JCT, NEC, FIDIC), bespoke contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties, step-in rights, and performance bonds.
• Contentious & dispute resolution including adjudication, mediation, arbitration, and High Court (TCC) litigation.
• Cross-departmental collaboration with real estate and finance teams on development agreements, funding, forward-funding structures, and plot transactions.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead Reading-based construction practice with executive backing.
• Deliver both contentious and non-contentious construction advice to clients.
• Leverage existing client connections and C-Suite support to scale the practice.
• Enjoy a lucrative profit distribution model and cross-referral backing across real estate, corporate, and commercial groups.

Skills

Fee generation

Portable client base

Non-contentious drafting

Dispute resolution

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Solicitor (England & Wales)

8+ years PQE

Job description

Construction Partner / Legal Director

Location: Reading Area

Salary: c.£110,000 – £140,000 + Equity/Partner Profit Share & C-Suite Backing

Are you an accomplished Construction Partner or Senior Director with an established client following, seeking the strategic authority, autonomy, and firm backing to establish and lead a flagship Construction & Engineering practice across Reading and the Thames Valley? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded national law firm expanding its South East footprint and known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial practice across the region's thriving real estate and infrastructure sectors, they are seeking an entrepreneurial Construction Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead a standalone offering serving developers, main contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, and employers nationwide.

The Opportunity

In this high-profile equity-track position, you will leverage your existing client connections and take lead operational responsibility for establishing and scaling the firm's Reading-based Construction practice. Supported directly by C-Suite leadership, senior partners, and a dedicated marketing engine, you will deliver comprehensive contentious and non-contentious construction advice. Designed for a commercially sharp practitioner with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to build a practice within a firm genuinely committed to your growth, this role offers direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit distribution model, and full cross-referral backing across real estate, corporate, and commercial practice groups.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Experience: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 8+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specialising in Construction and Engineering law within a recognised UK practice.

• Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client following (developers, main contractors, specialist sub-contractors, funds, or consultants) to anchor and scale the practice (essential).

• Non-Contentious Expertise: Proven track record drafting and negotiating standard-form suites (including JCT, NEC, FIDIC), bespoke construction contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties, step-in rights, and performance bonds.

• Contentious & Dispute Resolution: Strong capability in managing construction disputes, including statutory adjudication, mediation, international and domestic arbitration, and High Court (TCC) litigation.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Strategic capability to advise Reading and Thames Valley real estate and finance teams on development agreements, funding packages, forward-funding structures, and plot transactions.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Remuneration: £110,000 – £140,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, Thames Valley market standing, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

• Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Reading—built on trust, allowing you to choose the environment where you work best.

• Comprehensive Healthcare & Benefits: Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), Cash Plan (Medicash), salary sacrifice pension scheme (NEST), and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) extended to family members.

• Leave & Flexibility: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off (increasing with service), and enhanced wellbeing and family-friendly policies.

• Culture & Perks: Direct C-Suite and Senior Partner access from day one, regular CSR events, seasonal celebrations, referral bonuses, free fruit/drinks, and regular team lunches.