Principal Associate - Commercial Projects

Mills & Reeve LLP; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mills & Reeve LLP in Cambridge seeks a Principal Associate to lead on high-value commercial projects and contracts, including procurement work. You will handle complex drafting for government and private clients, and take early responsibility on matters in a collaborative, supportive team.

The role supports the Ministry of Defence as a key client and offers opportunities to apply strategic thinking across a range of sectors, with flexible regional base options (excluding London).

Qualifications

• Significant commercial law experience with 7+ years PQE.
• Experience with government departments or private sector contracting with government.
• Strong drafting skills, preferably with Model Services Contract.
• Ability to give clear, pragmatic advice and work collaboratively with clients.
• Public procurement experience is a plus but not required; security clearance is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead on major projects and develop innovative contract structures.
• Advise on PFI expiry/variation and future PPPs.
• Structure, draft and negotiate high value commercial contracts with schedules.
• Mentor and supervise team members and support training for clients.
• Lead BD activities, pitches, tenders and client hospitality events.
• Coordinate project management to ensure seamless service; develop procurement skills as needed.

Skills

Commercial law experience

Drafting skills

Government contracting

Public procurement

Security Clearance (plus)

Job description

Principal Associate - Commercial Projects (0315)

Mills & Reeve are looking to hire an experienced Commercial Projects Solicitor to join our growing, national team and to be involved in high-profile projects.

The role

We are looking to welcome an ambitious lawyer to our busy and friendly projects team where you will work on a range of projects and commercial contracts with an opportunity to help out on some procurement work, if that appeals to you.

Our team is constantly involved in high value and high-profile projects. You will be acting across a range of sectors for Government departments, contracting authorities and our private sector clients on a variety of complex commercial contracts, often with national importance. The Ministry of Defence is a key client, and you will be supporting that client on major procurements. You will be given early responsibility to run projects and your own matters. You need to be a confident self-starter and happy to take your own initiative.

This role could be based out of any of our regional offices, excluding London.

The person

• significant commercial law experience, with a minimum of 7 years PQE
• experience working with government departments or for private sector companies contracting with government;
• strong drafting skills (preferably with experience of the Model Services Contract);
• the ability to give clear, simple and pragmatic advice and being entirely comfortable working collaboratively with clients;
• public procurement experience is a plus but not a requirement;
• possessing Security Clearance is a plus but not a requirement.

The activities

• leading on major projects and assisting to develop innovative, cutting-edge contract structures;
• advising on PFI expiry/variation and future public private partnerships;
• structuring, drafting and negotiating high value commercial contracts (including financial and technical schedules);
• mentoring and supervising members of the team and supporting training for clients;
• leading and participating in business development initiatives and marketing events, including client training, preparation of tenders, attending pitches and attending client hospitality events;
• undertaking and co-ordinating project management to ensure a seamless service; and
• the option of working on procurement issues/developing procurement skills.

The team

You will be working with a number of partners, including, Jens Henniker Heaton, Stuart Thompson and Andrew Ray, who are all based in our Cambridge office; and Nick Helm who is based in our Manchester Office. Cambridge would be a preferred base, noting that with 7 offices in England we can be flexible on location, but this will not be a London based role.

The benefits

As you'd expect, we offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits.

If we offer you a role, we will conduct comprehensive pre-employment screening. This screening will include, but is not limited to, a basic DBS, verification of your right to work, a three year employment history and a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role. Full details of our pre-screening employment process are available upon request.

The firm

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve. Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning, and receive consistent experiences with no surprises. We tell them what they need to know when they need to know it.

We build personalrelationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don't offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations. Our 1,250 plus people and over 750 lawyers share one vision – achieving more for clients.

By joining Mills & Reeve, you'll have the chance to build your skills and experience within a firm that's not only ranked in the top 50 UK law firms, but also one that truly values their people.Our mantra is "Achieve more. Together.", which we feel embodies our purpose and is more than just a catchphrase! We're also ranked in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, and were recently awarded Platinum Investors in People.

and finally

Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm. We encourage everyone to ask if they feel they need any workplace adjustments, and will do our best to support with these.

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