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- Tasks: Advise on high-profile construction projects and contracts for major clients.
- Company: Join a leading law firm with a focus on equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a lawyer bonus.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent training opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make an impact on landmark projects while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 6+ years’ PQE and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Associate to join our Non‑Contentious Construction team in Birmingham, to advise property companies, real estate investors, public sector clients, corporate occupiers and contractors on high‑value, high‑profile construction, engineering and infrastructure projects.
About the Team
- Advising the developer on the forward funding and development of a 2.94 million sq ft global parts logistics centre – the UK’s largest‑ever single occupier logistics build‑to‑suit transaction;
- The development of a new 500,000 sq. ft. office campus for a major international bank, hailed upon deal completion as the largest value building contract let in the UK since the COVID‑19 outbreak;
- Highways England's ÂŁ1.7 billion A303 road scheme at Stonehenge;
- The decommissioning of an off‑shore lighthouse;
- Advising a Premier League football club on the development of a new training facility and two County Cricket Clubs on extensive redevelopments to their stadiums;
- Global pharma manufacturing facilities in the UK, Europe and North Africa;
- Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme, one of the largest regeneration schemes in the country, including a new rail freight facility, a new railway station and a new waste transfer station.
About You
- Qualified Solicitor with a minimum of six years’ PQE;
- Experience advising on all major forms of construction contract, including JCT, NEC, MF/1 and FIDIC;
- Experience in advising on development and funding agreements and lease agreements;
- Experience working on major projects and regeneration schemes;
- A proven ability to give pragmatic, commercial advice;
- Ability to run major matters with little partner supervision;
- Experience supervising junior fee earners;
- Excellent time‑management and organisation skills;
- A commitment to team goals and a willingness to get involved in new areas of work;
- Strong negotiating skills;
- Sound drafting and problem‑solving skills;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- Excellent client‑handling skills.
What We Can Offer You
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working;
- Lawyer bonus;
- Generous annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week’s extra annual leave;
- Private medical insurance, with 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;
- State‑of‑the‑art offices;
- 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 to promoting equality and diversity and to equal opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, religions, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, marriage, civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. All offers are conditional upon clearance by the SRA, evidence of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS clearance.
Principal Associate - Non-Contentious Construction - 12 month FTC employer: Gowling WLG
Contact Detail:
Gowling WLG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Associate - Non-Contentious Construction - 12 month FTC
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the construction industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or classmates. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with major projects and contracts. Share specific examples of how you've navigated challenges and delivered results. This will show them you’re the real deal!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Think about how your skills align with their needs, especially in non-contentious construction. Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving and client management.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Associate - Non-Contentious Construction - 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Associate role. Highlight your experience with construction contracts and major projects, as this will show us you’re the right fit for our Non-Contentious Construction team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about construction law and how your skills align with our needs. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the exciting projects we handle.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your strong negotiating and drafting skills in your application. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated complex situations in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it during our review!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Know Your Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of major construction contracts like JCT, NEC, MF/1, and FIDIC. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your expertise and confidence in handling complex agreements.
✨Showcase Your Project Experience
Prepare to talk about specific high-value projects you've worked on, especially those involving development and funding agreements. Highlight your role and the impact of your contributions, as this will demonstrate your ability to manage significant matters with minimal supervision.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to share examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them. This is crucial for a position that requires pragmatic, commercial advice, so think of scenarios where your negotiation and drafting skills made a difference.
✨Engage with the Team Culture
Research the company’s values and team dynamics. During the interview, express your commitment to teamwork and your willingness to get involved in new areas of work. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.