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- Tasks: Join our dynamic team to provide top-notch construction advice and support exciting projects.
- Company: CMS is a global law firm with a passion for innovation and strong client relationships.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing team, work on diverse projects, and develop your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified lawyer with experience in construction and infrastructure projects.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those returning to work.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Our Northern practice is growing at a significant pace and is a critical part of the firm’s wider growth plans for the coming years. This is a great opportunity for an ambitious Senior Associate to be part of our growth at an established, yet still embryonic, stage.
About us
CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in. We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working. Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.
About the role
The construction and engineering team advises clients across a wide variety of sectors and has significant expertise in large, complex development and urban regeneration projects; operations and facilities management; infrastructure and energy projects; and education and healthcare. Our team is top ranked in both Chambers and the Legal 500 and many of our team are recognised as leaders in their field. No firm has more lawyers listed for England in Who’s Who Legal – Construction than CMS. We are an ambitious, highly regarded and friendly team that has undergone significant growth in recent years. This is a great opportunity to work as part of – and to take a leading role in the development of – our growing Northern team, often working closely with our wider team in other offices, advising clients on all types of construction projects including commercial, retail, energy, urban regeneration and infrastructure. Our work is client facing, varied, fast-paced and challenging across a wide variety of sectors working with developers, major institutional investors, public sector and education bodies, contractors, and lenders across the UK and internationally.
The role will involve:
- Working as part of a team to provide first class, professional non-contentious construction advice for clients in a wide range of fields.
- Working closely with our clients and their professional consultants when drafting and negotiating construction contracts, professional team appointments, guarantees and bonds, collateral warranties and a range of ancillary documents.
- Advising on a range of procurement routes and the use of standard form contracts such as NEC, JCT, FIDIC and IChemE as well as bespoke agreements.
- Writing articles and presenting at internal and external seminars.
- Taking part in a range of business development activities to help further develop the practice across the North.
About you
We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience:
- Be admitted as a lawyer to the Law Society of England & Wales, or Scotland.
- Have good experience of, and an interest in construction and infrastructure projects.
- Be hard working, enjoy a challenge and be happy to work as part of the team to meet deadlines.
- Be well-organised and proactive.
- Have excellent attention to detail.
- Have good written and oral communication skills.
- Have ambition and drive to help further grow our business and attend business development events to start building their own network.
What’s in it for you?
We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:
- Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
- Flexible, hybrid working policy
- Generous bonus scheme
- Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
- Holiday exchange scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Enhanced parental leave
- Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.
Equal opportunities
At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us. In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field.
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break.
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index. We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle.
If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.
Ready to apply? Here are the next steps. We look forward to receiving your application online via the CMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions.
Senior Associate (6-10 PQE) - Sheffield/Manchester employer: cms
Contact Detail:
cms Recruiting Team
TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate (6-10 PQE) - Sheffield/Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific construction and engineering sectors that CMS operates in. Understanding their key projects and clients will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or alumni from your university who work at CMS. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on emerging technologies in the legal field, particularly generative AI, as CMS is keen on leveraging these advancements. Being able to discuss how these technologies can impact construction law will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your business development ideas during the interview. Since the role involves contributing to the growth of the Northern team, showcasing your proactive approach to building a network and attracting new clients will demonstrate your ambition and drive.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate (6-10 PQE) - Sheffield/Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in construction and infrastructure projects. Emphasise your qualifications, particularly your admission to the Law Society of England & Wales or Scotland, and any specific projects you've worked on that align with the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your ambition and drive. Discuss how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for the Senior Associate position and how you can contribute to the growth of the Northern practice at CMS.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent written and oral communication skills are essential for this role, ensure your application is well-structured and free of errors. Consider including examples of your writing, such as articles or presentations, to demonstrate your capabilities.
Highlight Business Development Experience: Mention any previous involvement in business development activities. This could include networking events, client interactions, or initiatives that helped grow your previous firms. Show how you can help CMS expand its client base in the Northern region.
How to prepare for a job interview at cms
✨Understand the Firm's Vision
Before your interview, take some time to research CMS and its growth plans. Familiarise yourself with their approach to construction and engineering projects, as well as their commitment to innovation and technology. This will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate your genuine interest in being part of their team.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in construction and infrastructure projects. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex contracts or worked on significant development projects. This will showcase your expertise and how it aligns with the role they are looking to fill.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working closely with clients and professional consultants, be ready to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated in a team setting. Emphasise your ability to meet deadlines and contribute positively to group dynamics, as this is crucial for success in their fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the firm's future projects, their approach to business development, or how they support ongoing training and development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you assess if the firm is the right fit for you.
