At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic support on fire and building safety issues in construction projects.
- Company: Join Gateley, a forward-thinking legal and professional services group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible working, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative legal environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years PQE in construction litigation with strong interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About The Role
Our business is ambitious for success and in order to manage a strong pipeline of existing work and take up many other opportunities, we have exciting plans to significantly grow our Construction offering. We are looking to appoint a Senior Associate to grow our team and the role is available across our network of Gateley Legal offices including Belfast, Birmingham and Leeds. For roles in Northern Ireland, our team in Belfast work closely with the wider national construction team in England. You will have the opportunity to work across jurisdictions (England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) and develop your practice in the local Belfast market.
The candidate will provide strategic support and advice to clients on fire and building safety issues in projects in England and Wales since the Grenfell Tragedy in 2017 and related disputes. The Gateley group act in a multi-disciplinary capacity for most of the UK’s top 20 Housebuilders, so we are well positioned to advise clients who are acutely exposed to the building safety issues affecting the construction and development industry since the Grenfell Tragedy. We are trusted advisors to the UK’s largest residential developers; helping them navigate rapidly evolving government policies and legislation, including the significant expansion of liabilities brought about by the Building Safety Pledge and the Building Safety Act 2022. We support our clients with all aspects of their remediation procurement strategies and represent them in the defence and pursuit of formal legal claims, including multi-million disputes in arbitrations and court proceedings.
Successful candidates will play a leading role in this fast moving, technically challenging area of law and will benefit from working with industry leading clients, lawyers and experts across many disciplines including architectural, fire engineering, structural, project management and quantity surveying.
The team
Our nationally recognised construction team advises on all kinds of construction projects for contractors, developers and housebuilders and has experience in dealing with international construction projects. Our clients include many of the major housebuilders, local authorities, universities, major developers, landowners and employers not directly involved in construction. We also act for a wide range of those delivering construction projects including major national and regional contractors, subcontractors and professional consultants.
The person
Key Skills & Experience
- This role is suitable for experienced solicitors, from 5PQE+ with construction litigation experience (including ideally professional negligence work).
- Candidates will also have the following skills / attributes:
- Interest and enthusiasm in the wider political issues and policies that affect our clients, so we demonstrate that we are more than simply legal advisors and are fully aware of the ‘big pictures’ issues that will impact upon our clients’ businesses and their decision making.
- A forward thinking approach to innovation and legal technology, always eager to identify ways of delivering improved processes for the benefit of our clients.
- Ambition to build and grow a network of clients within professional services.
- Excellent inter-personal skills and a confident manner in engaging with clients and colleagues.
- A strong team work ethic and the ability to work effectively under pressure and will thrive in a collaborative environment of working with clients and colleagues across multiple locations.
- Drive, commitment, self-motivation and a 'can do' attitude.
- The ability to exercise discretion and professionalism at all times.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
About Us
The benefits
With support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around, our great development and progression opportunities will reward your commitment and loyalty. We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual performance with an opportunity to receive an annual bonus. In addition, we have a wide range of learning and development opportunities via our Learn platform to develop new skills and progress your career. Our My Flex comprehensive rewards package includes options covering annual leave (and the benefit of purchasing extra days), cycle to work, critical illness benefit, employee assistance programme, group personal pension, health care, season ticket loan and many more benefits (grade dependent). Finally, with Perks At Work/Home you can select a host of retail benefits that suit your needs alongside a Community Online Academy, free courses for all from fitness to coding to languages to hip hop dance.
We are Gateley
We are forward thinking and straight talking, our approach is to find solutions to the problems that our clients face. Gateley is a legal and professional services group, we are a group of formidable experts in all areas of law and business. Passionate problem solvers, we get our kicks from finding the right answers and getting our legal and business clients where they need to be. We support more than 5,700 active clients, ranging from FTSE 100 companies to private individuals, in the UK and beyond. Being part of Gateley is not just about the expertise that you bring; it's about attitude too.
The 'Gateley Story' is the story of our people and our culture. It is what has got us to where we are today as a successful business and it's the driving force behind the Gateley Team Spirit and the values that have shaped it. We have a set of shared internal values that capture what the Gateley Team Spirit is and this includes five elements that bind us all together as one Gateley: Ambitious for Success, Forward Thinking, Room to Breathe, Trusted to Do and Working Together. Every year across the group, we recognise members of our team that have gone above and beyond and have lived these shared values. They are recognised at our annual Gateley Team Spirit awards.
Diversity, inclusion and well being
Diversity, inclusion and well being is an important part of Gateley's culture and values. We recruit talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, providing equal opportunities for all to join our team regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, or culture. We create an exciting and rewarding place to work that aims to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals. We offer flexible working patterns to help our staff achieve a good work/life balance and we encourage candidates seeking flexibility in their next role to apply for any of our vacancies. We are proud to have been recognised by The Law Society as gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and to be Stonewall Diversity Champions.
Additional Information
If you are successful in receiving an offer of a role with our company, a variety of pre-employment screening checks will be completed. Our screening checks can include but are not limited to your eligibility to work, professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers. The screening that takes place will be relevant to your role and will vary from role to role.
All Locations: Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester
All Departments: Construction
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Construction Senior Associate in Birmingham employer: Gateley
Gateley is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Manchester, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Graduate Structural Engineer, you will benefit from a competitive remuneration package, generous annual leave, and ample opportunities for professional development, ensuring your growth in the engineering field. Join a supportive team that values your contributions and encourages you to make a meaningful impact in your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Senior Associate in Birmingham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Gateley, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Construction Senior Associate in Birmingham at Gateley.
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Senior Associate in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateley
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
