Senior Construction Associate - 5 PQE+, Thames Valley, [Legal 100]

Stonor Legal; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Construction Associate or Senior Associate to join their renowned construction team. This role offers the chance to work on prestigious projects across the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East, focusing on non-contentious construction matters. The ideal candidate will possess over 5 years of PQE, with a strong background in JCT and NEC contracts. This position promotes a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging professional growth and development. Enjoy a competitive financial package, transparent career progression, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. If you are ambitious and eager to make an impact in the construction law sector, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Hybrid Working

Competitive Financial Package

Career Progression Framework

Supportive Culture

Qualifications

• 5+ PQE in construction law with experience in JCT and NEC contracts.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills required.

Responsibilities

• Advise on non-contentious construction matters and draft contracts.
• Manage client relationships and participate in business development.

Skills

Construction Law

JCT Contracts

NEC Contracts

Commercial Awareness

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Business Development

Team Leadership

Technical Competence

Self-Motivation

Education

Law Degree

PQE Experience (5+ years)

Job description

New - our client is a leading Legal 100 firm with an outstanding reputation for all construction, engineering, and infrastructure matters.

Due to growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Construction Associate (or Senior Associate) to join their Chambers-rated construction, engineering and infrastructure team and assist on a broad range of hybrid matters with a focus on non-contentious issues. Experience in excess of 5 PQE is essential.

The firm has a national network of offices with a particular requirement in the Thames Valley region - Berkshire / Surrey.

This is a unique opportunity to join a specialist team of expert lawyers spread across the UK, Ireland, and Middle East, delivering an innovative service to a broad range of clients.

The construction team are recognised as leaders in the legal directories and advise on some of the most prestigious projects around the world working for some of the largest consultants, contractors, developers, employers, and funders.

Whilst maintaining high standards of client care, the team offers a friendly, supportive, and inclusive environment in which to develop your career and achieve your full potential.

Along with managing client relationships and business development skills, for the professional and financial risks team, preferred candidates will have some experience of:

We are ideally seeking a 5+ PQE Associate / Senior Associate to advise primarily on non-contentious matters.

The team works on both contentious and non-contentious matters and the firm is keen to encourage people to develop a wide skill set.

The ideal individual will be familiar with JCT and NEC contracts from a purely construction and property development perspective.

Experience of PPP or PFI transactions would be particularly valued, and similarly, exposure to FIDIC or ICHEME forms would also be desirable.

Skills / Experience Required

We are interested in candidates with high-calibre construction experience acquired at a leading national, regional, or City law firm.

Candidates with in-house legal experience at major contractors, consultants, or public bodies will also be valued highly.

• 5+ PQE
• Confident and personable
• Very familiar with JCT and NEC
• Wider procurement experience, such as PFI / PPP
• Strong technical competence and intellectual ability
• Commercial awareness
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• A team player with leadership potential
• Exceptional self-motivation
• Well regarded where you are
• An active networker

On the non-contentious side, individuals should have experience of leading and advising on transactions, drafting and negotiating construction contracts and ancillary agreements, and providing ongoing project advice;

• The team acts for employers (corporates and high net worth individuals), construction professionals, contractors, and sub-contractors, and the successful candidate can look forward to a broad range of quality work across various sectors;
• There are opportunities for career progression as the team continues to grow and all team members are encouraged to develop their own practices and contacts;
• All team members are encouraged to participate in business development and the team regularly hosts case law updates and workshops for clients and contacts, as well as marketing generally to the industry.
• The successful individual should be interested in and have an understanding of the construction and engineering sector and in turn will be fully supported to develop their own practices and contacts as well as ensuring the continued success and growth of the team and wider firm.
• Candidates should have good inter-personal skills, strong academics, and high-quality experience – typically with a major City or leading national/regional practice.

Any prior knowledge of JCT form contracts, their amendments, and market norms would be beneficial.

The team advises on bespoke and complex agreements, procurement and contracting strategies, funding and financing agreements, contract tendering and frameworks, and security documentation including advance payment bonds.

The clients might include large developers, construction companies, or corporate owner/occupiers. The team has also been instructed by Lloyds market insurers in the defence of claims against construction entities.

• There will be an opportunity to run adjudications and court-based disputes with a high degree of autonomy (with support).
• There will be some opportunities to perform non-contentious construction work i.e. the drafting and negotiation of construction documents.
• Work might involve assisting our real estate colleagues on the construction aspects of development transactions including development obligations, warranties, and copyright issues.
• Take responsibility for his/her own cases, and be happy to develop good working relationships with clients;
• Ability to bounce ideas off colleagues, and ask questions
• Carefully analyse information and reach sound decisions;
• Seek to recognise the commercial drivers and react accordingly;
• Recognise issues and problems that may arise and adapt (keeping clients and colleagues informed where necessary); and be able to listen and communicate effectively and succinctly both orally and in writing.

A number of the construction partners and team members have previously worked in-house for major industry players, and so candidates with backgrounds in private practice or industry are equally of interest.

The team has a number of fee-earners and partners highly ranked in the legal directories and the firm is recognised for their collegiate and supportive culture.

This position would suit an ambitious individual looking for city quality work with greater flexibility for work-life balance.

You can expect to advise employers: construction professionals; contractors and sub-contractors which will bring exposure across a broad range of matters. Business development and marketing activity is encouraged at all levels.

A highly competitive financial package is on offer + transparent career progression framework + hybrid working.

To apply, please submit your CV via the link below or contact: [e-mail]