Senior Associate / Legal Director - Construction

JMC Legal Recruitment; London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious national law firm in London seeks a Senior Construction Solicitor with over 5 years of PQE to handle complex non-contentious construction matters. The ideal candidate will work on major projects and collaborate with a high-performing team, enjoying flexible hybrid working arrangements and a competitive salary package. This role offers a clear pathway to Legal Director.

Benefits

Competitive London salary

Generous leave

Financial protection schemes

Clear progression path to partnership

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE in construction law is essential.
• Strong track record in non-contentious construction matters.
• Experience with JCT and NEC contracts is required.

Responsibilities

• Acting for clients on major development and infrastructure projects.
• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts and agreements.
• Mentoring junior team members within the national practice.

Skills

Construction law expertise

Contract negotiation

Mentoring junior colleagues

Commercial awareness

Education

Qualified solicitor

Tools

JCT contracts

NEC contracts

Job description

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

If you are an experienced construction lawyer looking to take on high-profile, non-contentious work for household-name clients with the flexibility to incorporate contentious matters if desired, this is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK's most highly regarded Construction teams.

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 modern London office as either 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 leading legal talent. Its lawyers are regularly recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for their expertise across multiple practice areas.

With continued financial growth driving expansion across the UK, the firm combines a forward-thinking approach with a strong emphasis on employee well-being. The London office serves as a hub for high-value, often international work, offering exceptional exposure and career development opportunities.

The Role

You will work closely with a high-performing national team, delivering exceptional client service on complex and high-value non-contentious construction matters with the option to undertake contentious work if you wish.

• Acting for a wide range of clients, including household names, on major development and infrastructure projects, real estate and corporate acquisitions/disposals, property finance, and process plant contracts
• Advising primarily on the employer/developer side, with experience on the contractor/supply side also welcomed
• Drafting and negotiating standard forms of construction contracts (JCT, NEC), development agreements, process plant contracts, and associated documentation
• Collaborating with colleagues who have both private practice and in-house experience with major industry players
• Playing a mentoring role for junior team members within the national practice

The Team

The Construction and Engineering team is at the forefront of the UK's most significant projects, from transformative infrastructure schemes to major urban regeneration. With seven partners and over twenty other legal professionals, including legal directors, the team advises on all aspects of the construction lifecycle, from procurement strategies and project inception to dispute resolution post-completion.

Clients include developers, contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, public bodies, higher education institutions, and funders. The team has deep expertise in:

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

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified solicitor with 5+ years' PQE in construction law
• Strong track record in non-contentious matters, with the flexibility to handle contentious work if desired
• Demonstrable expertise in JCT and NEC contracts, development agreements, process plant contracts, and related documentation
• Experience advising on the employer/developer side, with contractor/supply side experience beneficial
• Collaborative, commercially minded, and confident in mentoring junior colleagues

What's on Offer

• Work with a Top 50 firm with an award-winning culture
• Clear progression path all the way to partnership for ambitious candidates.
• Exposure to landmark projects and prestigious clients
• Hybrid working arrangements for optimal flexibility
• Competitive London salary and benefits package, including generous leave and financial protection schemes

If you're ready to lead on some of the UK's most exciting construction projects and progress your career to Legal Director, this is your opportunity to join a national team at the top of its game.

Apply now or feel free to contact Charlie Simpkin at JMC Legal Recruitment on 02038652113 for a confidential conversation.