Professional Support Lawyer (Real Estate Construction)

Fieldfisher; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) in Manchester to lead strategic initiatives and drive legal service excellence. You will conduct legal research, manage knowledge, and cultivate client relationships in the construction sector. The ideal candidate is a qualified solicitor with strong strategic and analytical skills. The position offers a blend of office and remote work, along with competitive benefits including medical insurance and pension contributions.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Health cash plan

Dental insurance

Life assurance

Critical illness insurance

Matched pension contributions up to 7%

Holiday trading

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in commercial law practice and construction sector.
• Experience in strategic legal research and knowledge management.
• Exceptional problem‑solving skills and ability to navigate complex challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conduct strategic legal research and analysis.
• Anticipate future legal developments and market trends.
• Oversee knowledge management strategy and implementation.
• Lead thought leadership initiatives and client engagement strategies.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Education

Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

Tools

Document automation technologies

AI integration tools

Job description

The role of the Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) is to lead our strategic initiatives, drive excellence in legal service delivery, and play a pivotal role in building and nurturing client relationships. The PSL will combine deep legal expertise with a strategic mindset to identify and capitalise on market opportunities, enhance client engagement, and drive sustainable growth for the firm.

The Team

Operating out of our London and Manchester offices, the Construction & Projects team consists of 5 partners, 17 fee earners and trainees and paralegals incorporating non-contentious and contentious practitioners. The team sits within our Real Estate department, which consists of 20 partners, 32 fee-earners and trainees and paralegals and works closely with our Dispute Resolution department (including the International Arbitration team), which consists of 23 partners, 26 fee earners and trainees and paralegals.

The team works against the backdrop of the firm’s sectors, with focuses on infrastructure, energy and natural resources, development, education and leisure both domestically and internationally. We act for contractors, developers, owners, end-users, government bodies, lenders and consultants.

Our team is valued for its responsiveness, commercial focus and in-depth market knowledge. As a team they work flexibly with a balance of working in the office and at home.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Legal Research and Analysis: Conduct strategic legal research and analysis to identify emerging trends, opportunities and risks in the construction and infrastructure landscape, providing actionable insights to inform firm‑wide strategy and client engagement.
• Proactive Market Insight: Anticipate future legal developments and market trends, advising senior leadership on potential implications and opportunities for the firm’s growth and differentiation.
• Knowledge Management Leadership: Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive knowledge‑management strategy aligned with the firm’s strategic priorities, leveraging technology and best practices to enhance knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation across the firm.
• Thought Leadership, Client Engagement & Relationship Management: Spearhead thought‑leadership initiatives, including the creation of white papers, industry reports and client briefings, to position the firm as a thought leader in key practice areas and drive client engagement and retention.
• Client Relationship Collaboration: Cultivate strategic relationships with key clients and industry stakeholders, leveraging insights and expertise to anticipate client needs, deliver innovative solutions and enhance the firm’s reputation and market position.
• Document Automation and AI Integration: Lead the assessment and implementation of document automation and AI technologies to streamline legal workflows, improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks across practice areas.
• Professional Development and Mentorship: Champion a culture of continuous learning and professional development, designing and delivering bespoke training programmes, workshops and knowledge‑sharing sessions to equip lawyers with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to excel in a rapidly evolving legal landscape; provide strategic mentorship and guidance to lawyers at all levels.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a distinguished track record of success and leadership in commercial law practice.
• Proven expertise and depth of knowledge within the construction sector, gained through experience or practising in the relevant specialism.
• Extensive experience in strategic legal research, knowledge‑management, document automation, AI integration and technology innovation within a reputable law firm or professional services environment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical prowess and problem‑solving skills, with a proven ability to anticipate and navigate complex legal and business challenges.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire and mobilise cross‑functional teams to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage and influence diverse audiences, including clients, colleagues and industry stakeholders.

What do we offer you?

You can be yourself. We believe our differences are our strength and that varied cultures, approaches and life experiences can only benefit us.

We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home, operating a 60:40 rule.

Beyond salary, we offer plenty of benefits. Please visit Reward & Benefits — Fieldfisher for details.

• Private medical insurance
• Health cash plan
• Dental insurance
• Life assurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Matched pension contributions up to 7%
• Holiday trading

Modern office space on the 17th floor of No.1 Spinningfields with views of the entire City. Nurturing your talent: you will take a ‘build a career’ approach to your training, with a pathway that allows occasional wandering to study areas of interest.

You have a life outside work, and we can help it flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono or charity initiatives.

Inclusion is not exclusive. At Fieldfisher, all our rich diversity is celebrated. Everybody is included.

We will provide you with the equipment to allow you to shine, at interview and beyond. Just let us know what you need.

For accessibility information on our offices, visit Accessing Fieldfisher Manchester — Fieldfisher — Fieldfisher.

What to do next

Apply online or contact us through the recruitment portal. We look forward to hearing from you.