Associate - Construction & Engineering

Department: Real Estate - Construction and Engineering

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Leeds

Reporting To: Rachel Gibson

Description

This role is to work as part of the Construction & Engineering team based out of our Leeds office.

The non-contentious Construction & Engineering team has developed a strong client base and secure pipeline of work in the infrastructure and projects sector. The team has also built up an exceptional reputation in the residential development sector and is on national panels with a number of top name house builders. The team acts for developers, funders, central government, local government and a number of NHS Trusts.

Infrastructure and projects is a growth area that the team is focussed on developing and forms a key part of the team's strategy going forward. The team has a strong public sector client base through which it has developed specialist experience in transport projects (road, rail and buses), flood defence projects and NHS projects.

This role offers the unique opportunity to be part of a growing team specialising in the construction and engineering aspects of infrastructure projects with the opportunity to gain experience in managing and developing client relationships. Progression within the role is encouraged and managed by experienced and knowledgeable senior members of the team.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not restricted to:

• Working closely with partners in the team to draft, negotiate and advise on a variety of complex construction and engineering contracts, such as framework agreements, call-off contracts, consultant appointments and pre-construction service agreements, based on NEC4 standard forms, as well as bespoke forms of contracts.
• Attending client meetings with partners and/or leading client meetings where appropriate.
• Assisting with developing fee proposals and/or tender documents.
• Management of your own case load.
• Supervision of paralegals in the team.
• Interaction with the firm's clients, providing a high level of service at all times.
• Exercising full compliance with DAC Beachcroft policies, procedures and protocols.
• Developing a high level of financial and case/file management.
• Contributing to practice development and business development activities as appropriate e.g. knowledge sharing, training, assisting and preparing updates for clients and the team, legal research, input into pitch documents and tendering exercises etc.
• Building an awareness of the firm's other services and developing effective internal and external networks.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firms' data security protocols.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience in construction contracts would be advantageous, but candidates with experience in commercial contracts/projects who are interested in working in infrastructure and projects will be considered.
• A strong academic track record is required.
• Excellent attention to detail, and strong communication skills (written and verbal) with an ability to produce work to a high standard.
• Confident with an ability to build strong relationships with clients (internal and external) and third party contacts at all levels.
• Ambition to learn and develop in the role.
• Must be flexible, organised, and self-motivated team player who is able to work within the team to achieve common goals.
• Must be able to work under pressure to meet required deadlines.