Procurement Lawyer – Managing Associate, 6+ PQE, Leeds, Manchester or Scotland

Addleshaw Goddard LLP; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Addleshaw Goddard LLP in Leeds is seeking an advisory (non-contentious) lawyer to support our public procurement team on high-value government contracts, utilities and infrastructure projects.

You will lead on complex matters, supervise junior lawyers, and contribute to business development while collaborating across IT, outsourcing, transport and real estate practices, with a clear path toward partnership.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification experience.
• Experience in public procurement and/or utilities procurement law.
• Ability to manage matters autonomously with strong client focus.
• Experience supervising junior lawyers and fostering a high-performing team.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex procurement matters for public authorities, utilities and contracting partners.
• Manage procurement workstreams on large, multi-disciplinary projects across IT, outsourcing, transport, utilities, construction and real estate.
• Advise on design, delivery and governance of procurement processes with commercial pragmatism.
• Act as trusted adviser to contracting authorities and bidders throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Lead or contribute to procurement disputes with the disputes team, shaping case strategy and outcomes.
• Coach and develop junior lawyers, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
• Build long-term client relationships and identify opportunities to expand work and develop new business.
• Lead client initiatives, prepare thought leadership, deliver training and participate in events.
• Contribute to development of procurement practice through innovation and process improvement.
• Demonstrate leadership, commercial acumen and collaboration with an eye on partnership progression.

Skills

Public procurement law

Utilities procurement law

Leadership & mentoring

Client relationship management

Drafting & negotiation

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• We are currently seeking an advisory (non-contentious) lawyer to support the team's ongoing growth in our public procurement team.
• This role will offer you increasing levels of responsibility and the chance to enhance your professional reputation, all within a supportive and collaborative environment alongside a team of experienced, dynamic, and knowledgeable individuals.

THE TEAM

• Our procurement team is a recognised market leader, ranked in band 1 (UK-wide) in the Chambers directory for 19 years, and delivers first-rate client service, covering both advisory and disputes work across the full range of procurement regulations.
• Our advisory work includes numerous nationally and internationally significant projects, with a particular focus on government contracts, transport (rail, bus, ports and aviation), utilities (water, electricity, gas and heat), defence, healthcare, regeneration and wider development.
• Our advisory team also works side-by-side with our specialist procurement disputes lawyers, providing technical and strategic input into contentious matters, including behind the scenes settlements and major court cases.
• Please note that if your focus is more on the disputes side, we are recruiting into that specialist disputes team too, you can find the advert by clicking here

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE

Working alongside partners and senior colleagues, you will:

• Lead on complex procurement matters, advising public authorities, utilities and their contracting partners on strategic procurement issues, including direct awards, contract modifications, procurement strategy and regulatory compliance.
• Manage procurement workstreams on large, multi-disciplinary projects, working closely with colleagues across our IT, outsourcing, transport, utilities, construction, real estate and defence practices.
• Advise clients on the design, delivery and governance of complex procurement processes, providing commercially focused and pragmatic solutions.
• Act as a trusted adviser to both contracting authorities and bidders throughout the procurement lifecycle, managing complex legal and commercial issues with confidence.
• Lead or play a significant role in procurement disputes, working closely with our disputes team to assess litigation risk, develop case strategy and support the delivery of claims and defences.
• Supervise, coach and develop junior lawyers, providing technical guidance, constructive feedback and opportunities for professional growth.
• Build and strengthen long-term client relationships, identifying opportunities to expand existing work and develop new client opportunities.
• Play an active role in business development by leading client initiatives, preparing thought leadership, delivering internal and external training, speaking at industry events and contributing to profile-raising activities.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Procurement practice by driving innovation, improving precedents and processes, and supporting strategic growth initiatives.
• Demonstrate the leadership, commerciality and collaborative behaviours expected of a senior lawyer, with a clear focus on continued career progression towards partnership or other senior leadership opportunities.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

• Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification experience, ideally gained within a leading regional, national or international law firm.
• Strong technical expertise in public procurement and/or utilities procurement law, with experience advising on complex and high-value matters.
• Proven ability to manage matters with an appropriate level of autonomy, balancing technical excellence with commercial and client-focused advice.
• Experience supervising and developing junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Demonstrable experience building and maintaining strong client relationships, with a track record of delivering exceptional client service.
• Commercially minded, with an interest in contributing to practice development, client growth and strategic business initiatives.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical and communication skills, with the confidence to engage with senior client stakeholders.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and a genuine ambition to contribute to the long‑term success of the team while progressing your own career within the firm.

OUR FIRM

Our story of international growth is built on a performance mindset, innovation and true collaboration. We believe results follow relationships, so we work closely with each other, and develop deep client connections to deliver.

Our award-winning culture balances high standards and hard work with genuine care – looking out for each other, supporting professional development, in a down to earth and inclusive environment. We do the right things in the right ways, combining commercial excellence and innovative thinking with teamwork. Together, we deliver excellence, achieve stand out solutions, and enable career-defining opportunities.