Senior Associate - Projects, Development and Construction

Overview

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. We address the specific objectives of each client through our flair and technical expertise and offer a personal service founded on a strong team ethic.

Today, we have UK offices in the City of London, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading while our overseas network stretches from Asia to Europe through our presence in Singapore, Piraeus, Paris and Madrid. With 130 partners and over 880 people in total, our main areas of practice are real estate, commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, private client and family.

The Projects, Development & Construction Team have established a strong reputation in a variety of sectors, particularly (in relation to this role) in real estate, housing & accommodation, property investment, commercial property, education, health, care, sustainability and renewables, and also work together with our technology and private wealth teams. Our lawyers are recognised for their expertise in procurement, construction, development and large scale projects, including JVs, regeneration and advising on renewables projects.

Our specialist Projects, Development and Construction Team is a core element of the wider firm and provides a comprehensive range of construction law solutions across the wide spectrum of projects undertaken in the construction industry. Clients include public institutions, property owners and investors, developers, funders, contractors, specialist sub-contractors, suppliers and construction/design consultants.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper, we are involved with projects from the outset and work with clients to shape their procurement and contracting strategies. We negotiate and draft all types of construction, development and project documentation.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a full time non-contentious focused Senior Associate to join our team. The ideal candidate will be at least 5+ years qualified and have previous experience of working within a construction team and managing Associates and a range of matters.

The candidate will mainly have extensive experience of non-contentious construction law including all standard form construction contracts as well as bespoke arrangements and relevant sector experience. Note: Investor and/or housing and accommodation experience would be particularly welcome.

A solid knowledge of the various standard form contracts and appointments, including JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms, their standard amendments plus market commercial expectations and compromise positions is expected. Further, we are looking for applicants to be willing to take on more bespoke, complex agreements, large scale due diligence exercises and/or typical development arrangements, with appropriate supervision and support.

There will be opportunities to develop know how and get involved with BD also, and a desire to know the sector and work we are involved in is extremely important.

Experience of running matters, organising files and managing a varied workload is a requirement, as is the ability to work well with and supervise and nurture more junior members of the team.

The role offers significant career progression opportunities for the right candidate, where the sky is the only limit.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to work as a team player, be organised, be willing to get involved with a good spectrum of work and have a can-do attitude with a view to maintaining the continued growth, success and dynamism of our successful and growing team.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) for at least 50% of their time. The Projects Development and Construction operates on a model of two ‘core days’ where there is an expectation of attendance within the London office. Individuals can however apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment if desired.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity.