Non Contentious Construction Senior Associate / Legal Director

JMC Legal Recruitment; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious legal firm based in Manchester is seeking a Senior Construction Solicitor with over 5 years of experience in construction law. This role involves leading on high-profile projects, advising a diverse client base, and mentoring junior lawyers. The firm offers a competitive salary, clear career progression towards Legal Director, and a hybrid working environment that fosters collaboration and staff well-being.

Benefits

Hybrid working for greater flexibility

Competitive salary and benefits package

Clear progression path to partnership

Qualifications

• 5+ PQE in construction law with strong non-contentious matters experience.
• Willingness to take on contentious work.
• Employer/developer-side experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act for employers, developers, contractors on major development projects.
• Draft and negotiate construction contracts and development agreements.
• Mentor and develop junior members of the national team.

Skills

Construction law expertise

JCT/NEC contracts knowledge

Mentoring juniors

Strong commercial acumen

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Senior Construction Solicitor (Senior Associate - Legal Director) | 5+ PQE | Manchester

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Construction lawyer to join one of the UK's most highly regarded teams. You'll take a lead role on high-profile non-contentious work for household-name clients, with the flexibility to incorporate contentious matters if desired.

With over 30 Legal 500 Tier 1 rankings, this rapidly expanding national firm is recognised as one of the most prestigious legal brands in the UK. They are now seeking a Senior Construction Solicitor (5+ PQE) to join their growing Manchester office, with routes to progress as Senior Associate, Principal Associate, or Legal Director.

The Firm

Renowned for its collaborative culture, flat structure and top-tier client base, this Top 50 firm attracts some of the UK's best legal talent. Its lawyers are consistently ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers for their expertise across multiple practice areas.

Ongoing financial growth continues to fuel expansion nationwide. The Manchester office is central to the firm's strategy, offering exposure to major regional and national projects, alongside clear opportunities for career development. A forward-thinking approach combined with genuine emphasis on staff well-being makes this a compelling environment in which to build your career.

The Role

You will work closely with colleagues across the national Construction and Engineering practice, advising on complex, large-scale projects and delivering exceptional service to a diverse client base.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Acting for employers, developers, contractors, and suppliers on major development and infrastructure projects, real estate transactions, property finance, and process plant contracts
• Advising predominantly on the employer/developer side, while also bringing or developing contractor/supplier experience
• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts (JCT, NEC), development agreements, process plant contracts, and related documentation
• Collaborating with lawyers with both private practice and in-house industry experience
• Mentoring and developing junior members of the national team

The Team

The Construction and Engineering team is at the forefront of major UK schemes, including transformative infrastructure and urban regeneration projects. With seven partners and over twenty lawyers, including Legal Directors, the team advises on the full project lifecycle, procurement strategies through to post-completion dispute resolution.

Clients span developers, contractors, consultants, public bodies, universities, and funders. The team's expertise covers:

• Development and remediation projects, including brownfield regeneration
• Infrastructure and process plant work
• Power generation schemes
• Dispute resolution via adjudication, TCC litigation, arbitration and mediation

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified solicitor with 5+ PQE in construction law
• Strong track record in non-contentious matters, with willingness to take on contentious work
• Solid knowledge of JCT/NEC contracts and other construction documentation
• Employer/developer-side experience preferred, with contractor/supply-side experience also valued
• Commercially astute, collaborative, and confident mentoring juniors

What\'s on Offer

• Join a Top 50 firm with an award-winning culture
• Clear and transparent progression path up to partnership
• Exposure to landmark regional and national projects and prestigious clients
• Hybrid working for greater flexibility
• Competitive Manchester salary and benefits package

If you are ready to play a key role in some of the UK's most exciting construction projects and progress your career towards Legal Director, this is a rare opportunity to join a top-tier national practice in Manchester.