Senior Associate - Infrastructure/Energy (0685)

Mills & Reeve; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mills & Reeve are hiring a Senior Associate to join our Projects and Infrastructure team. You’ll work on high‑value, nationally significant projects across social infrastructure, student accommodation, renewables and net zero, government and healthcare.

You’ll take early responsibility for leading projects and managing your own matters, while working closely with experienced partners across our national team. The role can be based in Cambridge or Manchester, with London excluded.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' PQE with public-sector experience.
• Strong drafting skills and practical advice.
• Experience of PFI/PPP documentation or energy projects advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and co-lead major infrastructure projects.
• Draft and negotiate complex, high-value commercial contracts.
• Advise on operational PFI matters, handback, expiry and successor models.
• Support renewables and net zero projects, including heat networks.
• Help develop innovative contractual structures.
• Manage projects to deliver a seamless client service.
• Mentor junior colleagues and deliver client training.
• Contribute to tenders, pitches, marketing and wider business development.

Skills

Public sector contracting

Contract drafting

Project leadership

Commercial contracts

Job description

Mills & Reeve are hiring a Senior Associate into their Projects and Infrastructure team, during an exciting period of growth.

The role

We're looking for an ambitious Senior Associate to join our busy Projects and Infrastructure team. You'll work on high-value, nationally significant projects across social infrastructure, student accommodation, renewables and net zero, government, healthcare and operational PFI. Our team advises government departments, contracting authorities, universities and private-sector clients on complex commercial contracts and innovative project structures. You'll take early responsibility for leading projects and managing your own matters, while working closely with experienced partners across our national team. The role can be based in any of our regional offices, excluding London, with Cambridge or Manchester preferred.

The person

You'll be a commercially minded lawyer with at least 5 years' PQE and experience of working with public-sector bodies or private organisations contracting with the public sector. You'll bring strong drafting skills, sound judgement and the ability to give clear, practical advice. Confident, collaborative and proactive, you'll be comfortable taking ownership while always putting clients first. Experience of PFI/PPP documentation, the Model Services Contract, energy projects, public procurement or holding Security Clearance would be advantageous. Most importantly, you'll bring enthusiasm, initiative and a genuine desire to help grow the team.

The activities

You'll Have The Opportunity To:

• Lead and co-lead major infrastructure projects
• Draft and negotiate complex, high-value commercial contracts
• Advise on operational PFI matters, handback, expiry and successor models
• Support renewables and net zero projects, including heat networks, solar and decentralised energy
• Help develop innovative contractual structures
• Manage projects to deliver a seamless client service
• Mentor junior colleagues and deliver client training
• Contribute to tenders, pitches, marketing and wider business development
• Develop your public procurement experience, if desired.

The Benefits

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

Pre employment screening

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.

Use of AI during the recruitment process

Technology is changing rapidly and we are all increasingly using AI software in our day to day lives, as well as using it to support our learning and professional development. Here at Mills & Reeve, we embrace the use of technology and AI and we recognise that candidates may use AI tools to support their applications. As a regulated industry, we expect candidates to use such tools responsibly, honestly and in a manner that allows us to make a fair and accurate assessment of their individual skills, experience and suitability for the role. Please ensure you have thoroughly read the document attached below to understand what we deem acceptable uses of AI.

The firm

At Mills & Reeve, our 1,450 plus people and over 850 lawyers share one vision - achieve more together. It's a state of mind in every client relationship we start and every choice we make. And it's what clients consistently say distinguishes us from your average law firm. You can expect a close and attentive working relationship with a team that's responsive when you need them. You'll receive advice tailored to your individual needs. Wherever in the world you or your business needs support, we'll draw on our network to give recommendations. We're driven by our values - we're ambitious, we're open, we care and we collaborate. We embrace new ideas, communicate honestly and are easy to work with. We're committed to you, our planet, our communities and each other. We've been listed in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list as one of the best big organisations, and we've recently been reaccredited Platinum Investors in People status - a standard achieved by only 8% of assessed organisations.

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. To find out more about our diversity and inclusion work, visit our website.