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- Tasks: Advise on exciting UK energy and infrastructure projects, including government and defence initiatives.
- Company: Join a top-rated firm recognised for its inclusive culture and award-winning projects team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a lawyer bonus.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on significant projects while developing your legal expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with at least 4 years PQE and experience in project agreements.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We have an opportunity for a Senior / Principal Associate to join our Projects & Infrastructure team in Birmingham / London to support our strong portfolio of domestic government project work and energy and infrastructure project work.
About The Team
Due to a strong pipeline of UK project mandates, our Projects & Infrastructure (P&I) team is looking to recruit an adaptable Senior / Principal Associate in Birmingham/London to support our strong portfolio of government project work and developer‑side project development work in the UK. The team is recognised in major legal directories for the strength of its projects practice and has won recognition in recent years in a number of industry awards.
Our P&I partners and associates have a mixture of specialist skills and experience. As well as having the core commercial contracts competence, some have a procurement specialism, others project finance experience, others construction contract expertise or specialist sector knowledge in defence or nuclear. We are a flexible and adaptable team – drawing on the support of other specialist teams where needed. This means this opportunity will be an exciting prospect for all sorts of lawyers, including those in private practice or those who may be currently in in‑house roles, such as in government or, perhaps, in the nuclear or defence sector.
The team advises on government projects and the project development aspects of energy and infrastructure projects both domestically and internationally – particularly in Africa, Central Europe and in and around the United Arab Emirates.
About The Role
The role will involve advising on a range of UK domestic energy, infrastructure and defence projects. The team has a broad mix of work advising government clients and sponsors/developers on all aspects of project development from procurement, through the project contract and construction and operation arrangements.
Examples of current work you could be involved in:
- Advising Highways England on the flagship A303 Stonehenge project to deliver a tunnel in a World Heritage Site
- Advising the UK Ministry of Defence on nationally significant defence programmes
- Advising on a number of nuclear decommissioning mandates in the UK
- Advising on PFI and PPP projects re handback
About You
The ideal candidate for this role will be a qualified Solicitor – minimum 4 years PQE. You will have:
- Experience of advising on project agreements, including some or all of: PPP/PFI, PPAs, EPC contracts and O&M Agreements
- Experience of UK public procurements (PCR) and running competitive procurements is desirable, but not essential
- Experience of negotiating contracts in a single source environment (SSCR) is desirable but not essential
- Government and / or nuclear sector experience (including in‑house) is also of interest, given the nature of some of the P&I team's clients and work
- Project management skills
- A willingness to get involved in business development.
What We Can Offer You
The opportunity to work for a firm which has been recognised as one of the top 10 best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years.
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working
- Excellent benefits, including:
- Lawyer bonus
- 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave
- Private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
- A generous pension allowance
- Life assurance covering four times your annual salary
- The chance of a three-month sabbatical every five years
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
- A range of health and wellbeing programmes
- Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development
Many of our people work flexibly in some way. If you would like to explore your own flexible working arrangements with us, we are happy to discuss this during the recruitment process.
Equal opportunities
Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re‑assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.
Any offers we make will be conditional subject to clearance by the SRA, evidence of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS clearance.
Contact
If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description please contact Nana Panti‑Amoa.
Senior / Principal Associate - Projects & Infrastructure (Birmingham) employer: Gowling WLG
Contact Detail:
Gowling WLG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal Associate - Projects & Infrastructure (Birmingham)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Projects & Infrastructure sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Familiarise yourself with their work in government projects and energy infrastructure. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Senior/Principal Associate. Highlight your project management skills and any relevant sector knowledge, especially if you’ve worked in government or nuclear.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Principal Associate - Projects & Infrastructure (Birmingham)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior / Principal Associate role. Highlight your relevant experience in projects and infrastructure, especially any work with government clients or in the nuclear sector.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your project management skills and any experience with PPP/PFI agreements. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role – this is your chance to shine!
Be Authentic: Let your personality come through in your application. We value diversity and want to know what makes you unique. Share your motivations for applying and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it reaches the right people quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Know Your Projects & Infrastructure
Familiarise yourself with the key projects and infrastructure initiatives that the team is currently involved in, such as the A303 Stonehenge project or defence programmes. This will not only show your interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience aligns with their work.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Be ready to talk about your experience with project agreements like PPP/PFI and EPC contracts. If you've worked in government or the nuclear sector, make sure to emphasise this, as it’s particularly relevant to the role.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The team values flexibility, so prepare examples that showcase your ability to adapt to different roles or challenges. Discuss times when you’ve collaborated with other teams or adjusted your approach to meet project needs.
✨Show Enthusiasm for Business Development
Since the role involves business development, express your willingness to engage in this area. Share any past experiences where you contributed to client relationships or helped secure new projects, as this will demonstrate your proactive attitude.