Non Contentious Construction Principal Associate / Legal Director

Overview

Senior-level construction lawyer in Shoosmiths’ London team leading complex non-contentious matters. You will advise on procurement, contract drafting, and project structuring for high-value infrastructure, energy, and development projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. The role offers significant client exposure and a chance to shape the growth of the London practice within a national Construction & Engineering group. You’ll drive risk allocation, negotiations, and delivery strategies for flagship projects. This opportunity combines leadership, technical depth, and a market-leading platform with a strong focus on client service and business development.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible hybrid working
• competitive remuneration package
• comprehensive benefits programme
• Disability Confident Employer

Responsibilities

• Advising on procurement, negotiation and drafting of construction, infrastructure and engineering documentation
• Leading negotiations on standard and bespoke forms of construction contracts (e.g., JCT, NEC, FIDIC)
• Advising on development agreements, forward funding arrangements, development finance transactions and real estate-led projects
• Supporting major infrastructure, energy, industrial, remediation and process plant projects
• Advising on risk management, project delivery strategies and market best practice
• Collaborating with Real Estate, Corporate, Finance, Projects and Regulatory teams on multidisciplinary transactions

Key requirements

• Extensive experience advising on non-contentious construction matters
• Experience drafting and negotiating JCT, NEC and/or other standard-form contracts
• Expertise in development projects, financing arrangements and project procurement structures
• Strong understanding of construction, infrastructure and engineering risk allocation
• Ability to lead matters independently and manage competing priorities
• Proven track record of building and maintaining client relationships
• Experience supervising and developing junior lawyers
• Enthusiasm for business development and growing a market-leading practice
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills

• Strong communication
• Negotiation
• Stakeholder management
• Drafting and negotiating JCT, NEC, FIDIC contracts
• Development financing and development structures
• Procurement strategy and risk allocation

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