At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal strategy for major construction projects and provide practical advice during project delivery.
- Company: Join National Grid Electricity Transmission, a key player in the UK's energy transition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, company car allowance, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of the UK's net-zero ambition while working on complex infrastructure projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant construction law experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
You will work closely with colleagues in the UK Legal team, alongside other stakeholders to plan and deliver NGET construction projects ranging from £millions to £billions. Such projects include the construction of new substations, overhead line and underground cable routes and potentially offshore cable projects.
You will be part of the UK Legal team, working with other construction lawyers and closely with other lawyers in the team to deliver NGET’s infrastructure projects. Alongside strong legal skills, we are looking for an individual who is passionate about energy and the net-zero ambition and who has the drive to support and enable the business in its ambitions. You will also have commercial awareness of the industry within which NGET operates.
You will be a natural and instinctive communicator, able to listen effectively and advise at all levels within National Grid while using your experience and expertise to develop other members of the UK Legal team and colleagues in the wider business. You must be able to take the lead on the construction law aspects of major infrastructure projects, with the ability to influence through a broad range of contacts.
What you'll do:
- Deliver clear, commercially focused legal advice and lead the development and execution of legal strategy for major construction projects and strategic infrastructure contracts, supporting NGET’s commercial objectives.
- Provide practical, commercially focused advice to project, commercial and procurement teams as issues arise during live project delivery, including on contract interpretation, change control, compensation events and claims, risk allocation, governance, supplier engagement and dispute avoidance.
- Draft and negotiate a broad range of construction and professional services contracts (based on standard forms including NEC and FIDIC), advise on procurement and regulatory compliance, represent UK Legal at key internal forums, manage external counsel, and support dispute resolution matters.
- Help identify and mitigate legal and commercial risk, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, develop precedents and training, and share expertise across the UK Legal team.
About you:
- Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant, current non-contentious construction law experience, including recent hands-on experience advising on, drafting and negotiating complex construction and engineering contracts, particularly NEC4.
- Strong track record supporting large-scale, complex construction projects through live delivery, including advising on contract interpretation, change control, claims/compensation events, risk allocation, governance and supplier engagement.
- Experience working directly with project, commercial, procurement and technical teams, providing clear, pragmatic legal advice at the coal face of project delivery.
- Able to support both high-profile strategic infrastructure projects and business-as-usual construction contract matters across a busy portfolio.
- Excellent communicator, also able to listen effectively in a team or business environment and build strong relationships.
- Capable of using experience and expertise to develop and train other members of the UK Legal team.
- Effective project manager with ability to lead and deliver high profile and strategic projects with ability to influence through broad range of internal and external contacts.
- Ability to manage and deliver against competing priorities.
About us:
The UK's transition to net zero by 2050 is one of the most significant infrastructure challenges of our generation - and the energy sector is central to making it happen. At National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), we are delivering the infrastructure needed to connect cleaner, more secure energy to homes and businesses across the country. This is driving unprecedented growth in our construction portfolio, and creating a rare opportunity for a construction lawyer to work at the heart of some of the UK’s most complex and strategically important infrastructure projects.
Location: The role will be based out of our Warwick or Strand, London office; we operate a hybrid working policy, and a typical working pattern would be three days per week in Warwick, London or another office/site, with the rest of the week flexible.
More Information: A competitive salary - dependent on experience. As well as your base salary, you will receive a company car or allowance, a bonus of up to 40% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. We will also support with your development during your career with National Grid.
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates - we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.
Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system.
Senior Construction Lawyer in London employer: National Grid
Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and collaboration in the telecoms sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while providing opportunities for professional growth within the dynamic environment of the South West and South Wales. Our supportive culture encourages teamwork and ensures that you play a vital role in delivering secure and resilient communication solutions for the high-voltage electricity network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Construction Lawyer in London
✨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 National Grid, 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 Senior Construction Lawyer at National Grid.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Construction Lawyer in London
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 National Grid
✨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!
