Senior Associate - Projects (PFI/PPP)

DAC Beachcroft; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

A UK law firm is seeking a Senior Associate to join its infrastructure and projects team in Newcastle. The role involves managing legal advice on complex infrastructure contracts for public and private sector clients. Ideal candidates will have around 5 years PQE in commercial contracts, with experience in PFI/PPP projects being advantageous. You will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team and have opportunities for business development, all within a flexible working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience advising on the operational management of PFI/PPP projects.
• Ability to operate independently and lead on matters.
• Experience with long-term, complex contractual frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Manage advice on structuring and delivering infrastructure projects.
• Support operational contract management for existing PFI/PPPs.
• Advise on expiry and hand-back of PFI contracts.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team on infrastructure projects.
• Build relationships with clients and develop your own practice.
• Contribute to business development and team growth.

Skills

5+ years' PQE in commercial contracts

Experience in public sector infrastructure projects

Ability to provide practical and commercial legal advice

Experience working collaboratively

Strong technical and inter-personal skills

Job description

Department: Health Care and Public Law - Bristol

Location: Newcastle

DACB has an opening for an ambitious Senior Associate to join its market-leading infrastructure and projects team to advise both public and private sector clients on high profile and complex infrastructure contracts, including PFI/PPP and related services contracts. Construction law or project finance experience is a benefit but not essential.

Working as part of a national, multi-disciplinary team, you will provide practical and commercial legal advice on a broad range of agreements across a range of sectors, including health, education, transport, energy, water/environment and regeneration.

This role is ideal for a lawyer with some experience in PFI/PPP projects and other national PPP programmes (e.g. NHS LIFT, Building Schools for the Future, Welsh Government Schools MIM projects) and looking to take on a varied mix of more complex contract work.

It is a fantastic opportunity to work on significant infrastructure projects at national and regional levels and be part a collaborative and supportive team with a focus on growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide and manage advice on the structuring and delivery of a range of infrastructure projects and complex commercial agreements to both public and private sector clients;
• Support our clients with the operational contract management of existing PFI/PPPs and their sub-contracts (including variations, refinancings, performance issues, contract interpretation, etc. but other than pure construction contracts);
• Advise and support clients on the expiry and hand-back of PFI contracts, providing practical legal support – in line with NISTA and other relevant guidance - on the contractual obligations on hand-back and future service provision;
• Work collaboratively across our multi-disciplinary Infrastructure and Projects team (colleagues from real estate, construction, dispute resolution, etc.) to support clients on infrastructure projects;
• Play an active role in managing client relationships, with a real opportunity to build relationships and develop your own practice;
• Take part in business development and contribute to the growth of the team;
• Contribute to training initiatives (both internally and externally).

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• ~5+ years' PQE in commercial contracts with some experience in public sector infrastructure projects, working on PFI and PPP and similar long-term, complex contractual frameworks.
• Some experience of advising on the operational management of PFI/PPP project and supporting clients in preparing for PFI/PPP expiry;
• Ability to provide practical and commercial legal advice that is delivery focussed;
• Demonstrable experience working collaboratively across muti-disciplinary, cross-office teams;
• Ability to operate independently, lead on matters and liaise/build relationships with clients;
• Strong technical and inter-personal skills.

We are happy to talk flexible working with our Flex Forward scheme. We would encourage you to talk to us about our approach to flexible working during the hiring process if you would like to explore this further.

Note for Recruitment Agencies

DAC Beachcroft manages all vacancies via our in-house recruitment teams, prioritising direct sourcing and referrals. When external support is required, roles are released to selected agencies on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Speculative CVs sent to any DAC Beachcroft employee without prior instruction from our recruitment teams (LLP and CSG) will not be accepted, and no fees will be payable. For PSL queries, please contact: [e-mail] or [e-mail].