Head of Non-Contentious Construction Law

Achieve Professionals, incorporated; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Central London office

Bonus and benefits package

Job summary

Achieve Professionals, incorporated in Central London, seeks a Head of Non-Contentious Construction Law. This senior, hands-on role combines high‑quality legal work with team leadership and business development to grow a specialist practice.

You will provide expert non-contentious construction advice, draft and negotiate standard contracts, manage client relationships and lead a growing team in a hybrid working arrangement with significant autonomy.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in non-contentious construction law.
• Experience advising on private-sector development and infrastructure projects.
• Strong exposure to JCT and NEC standard form contracts.
• Experience building and leading a legal team would be advantageous.
• Excellent client-management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist non-contentious construction law advice to clients.
• Draft, negotiate and amend standard form construction contracts (JCT/NEC).
• Advise on procurement methods and contractual structures.
• Develop and lead a team of non-contentious construction solicitors.
• Oversee the team's performance and recruitment.
• Support growth strategy and business development.

Skills

Non-contentious construction law

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Contract drafting

JCT/NEC knowledge

Building safety expertise

Commercial awareness

Job description

Role: Head of Non-Contentious Construction Law

Salary: £150,000+ per year

Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid

Overview and Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced non-contentious construction lawyer to join a growing specialist construction and engineering law firm in Central London as Head of Non-Contentious Construction Law.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining high-quality legal work with team leadership and business development. The successful candidate will provide specialist non-contentious construction advice, build and lead a team of construction solicitors and work closely with the Head of Firm to support the continued growth of the business.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to play a genuine role in shaping and growing a specialist firm, rather than simply joining an established team.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide specialist non-contentious construction law advice to clients.
• Advise on procurement methods and appropriate contractual structures.
• Draft, negotiate and amend standard form construction contracts.
• Advise on contractual building safety matters.
• Work primarily with JCT and NEC standard form contracts, with exposure to other suites including FIDIC.
• Develop and maintain strong, trusted client relationships.
• Deliver consistently high-quality and commercially focused legal advice.
• Build and develop a specialist team of non-contentious construction solicitors.
• Oversee the team's legal work and performance.
• Support recruitment as the team grows.
• Provide mentoring, training and professional development.
• Establish high standards of client service and technical excellence.

Growing the Firm

• Working closely with the Head of Firm, you will contribute to the continued growth and development of the business, including:
• Business development and client relationship management.
• Supporting marketing initiatives and the firm's profile within the construction sector.
• Working with the firm's internal financial management function.
• Risk and regulatory compliance.
• Team management and development.
• Contributing to the firm's wider business plan and growth strategy.
• The role offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to work closely with senior management across the business.

Ideal Candidate:

• Approximately 8+ years' experience in non-contentious construction law.
• Strong experience advising on private-sector development and infrastructure projects.
• Extensive experience working with JCT and NEC standard form contracts.
• Experience with building safety issues.
• A strong technical background within a leading construction law practice.
• Previous experience within a recognised Top 100 law firm and/or leading in-house legal team.
• Experience building, managing or developing a legal team would be highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent client-management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills and confidence adapting to new systems and software.
• £150,000+ salary, depending on experience and candidate profile.
• Bonus and benefits package.
• Hybrid working with a Central London office.
• Significant autonomy and responsibility.
• Opportunity to build and lead a specialist construction team.
• Direct involvement in the firm's growth strategy.
• Flat, collaborative working environment.
• Opportunity to play a key role in a growing specialist law firm.