Legal Team Senior Researcher, Expert Support in Manchester

Our 1,400+ people bring a vast range of skills, delivering a professional mindset, gritty discipline and a genuine passion to every one of the thousands of projects they undertake each year. They're the foundation of our success – they drive our vision, embody our values and separate us from the competition. Come and join us if you’re hungry to be part of an exceptional team – if you put quality first – if you’re motivated by ingenuity and if you’re always aspiring to be the very best.

Company Values

• Quality – THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR BUSINESS. From concept to execution, our work is driven by passion, technical expertise and an uncompromising commitment to excellence – delivering solutions that stand the test of time.
• Ingenuity – AS STANDARD. We question assumptions and look beyond the obvious – applying technical depth and creativity to solve problems that matter.
• Partnership – BUILT ON TRUST. GROWN OVER TIME. Since 1946, strong relationships have shaped everything we do. We listen, challenge with care, and stay with you for the long haul – turning shared goals into lasting impact.
• Inspiration – THE FIRE IN OUR BELLY.

We are seeking an intelligent, resourceful, motivated, and highly collaborative team player to join our specialist practice. In this role, you will contribute to the delivery of written expert advice and evidence in legal disputes across the construction and engineering sectors.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of written expert advice and evidence in legal disputes across the construction and engineering sectors.
• Be a paralegal or solicitor with experience in construction law, confident working with expert witnesses and familiar with standard building contracts.
• Produce clear, well-structured, and persuasive written work quickly, grasping complex technical concepts and translating them into accurate, accessible explanations.
• Have a meticulous eye for detail and be comfortable undertaking rigorous quality assurance of expert reports, asking probing questions, suggesting improved phrasing, highlighting omissions or breaks in causation, raising unsupported points, and assisting with report finalisation.
• Work collaboratively within a demanding, intellectually driven environment, supporting a specialist practice team.

Required Qualifications

• Qualified paralegal or solicitor.
• Strong academic background (minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent).
• Experience working in construction law.
• Familiarity with major building contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC, etc.).

Personal Attributes

• Excellent communicator who thrives in a collaborative, intellectually demanding environment.
• Exceptional written communication skills, producing high-quality reports.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We will support you to ensure you have everything you need to be successful and achieve your best in your career at Ridge. If you would like to discuss accessibility, accommodations or adjustments during your application and selection process, please contact us and we will work with you to ensure you feel included and supported.

Benefits

• Annual leave – a healthy holiday allowance that starts at 25 days per year, with the option to buy, carry over or sell.
• Three volunteering days each year to spend time on causes close to your heart.
• Mental health support – Mental Health First Aiders and Unum's Help@hand app.
• Financial benefits – life assurance, pension scheme and income protection.
• Physical wellbeing – medical insurance, private GP access and discounted gym membership.
• Flexible working – hybrid working arrangements to suit you, your family and your team.
• Career development – pathways focused on your professional, personal or educational aspirations.
• Performance bonus, car allowance and other variable benefits based on your role and progression.