Senior Associate – Construction – Exeter – 5+ Years PQE

Overview

In this role you will advise and negotiate construction contracts for a range of public and private sector clients, focusing on non-contentious matters with scope for contentious work. You will draft and review contracts across major suites, support high‑value development projects, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams. The position sits within a forward‑thinking Real Estate practice and offers agile hybrid working. You will play a key part in delivering commercial, risk‑aware solutions that underpin major projects across energy, infrastructure and education sectors.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible, friendly and inclusive working environment
• agile working arrangements
• access to Michelmores Academy (development framework)
• opportunities to work on high profile, complex national projects
• collaborative culture with creativity, commercial thinking and personal growth

Responsibilities

• Advise on and negotiate construction contracts, appointments and ancillary documents
• Review contract terms for employer and client-side organisations
• Draft across contract suites including JCT, NEC, FIDIC, IChemE, EPCs, O&Ms and bespoke agreements
• Support high‑value regional and national development projects across multiple sectors
• Collaborate with clients, consultants and project teams (in person and via Teams)
• Manage a varied, fast-paced caseload with support from Partners and Managing Associates

Key requirements

• At least 5 years’ PQE in Construction and Engineering
• Strong experience in non-contentious construction matters (contentious experience beneficial)
• Extensive drafting and negotiation across major contract families
• Experience acting for funders, employers, contractors and consultants
• Strong commercial awareness and solutions-focused approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively
• Motivation and initiative with an interest in business development

• strong communication
• interpersonal skills
• collaboration
• drafting and negotiating construction contracts
• experience with JCT, NEC, FIDIC, IChemE, EPCs, O&Ms
• contract review and risk assessment

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