Principal Construction & Projects Lawyer | Preston

Overview

As a senior member of the Legal Services team, you will lead legal support for major construction, highways, and regeneration projects. You will partner with senior leaders and project teams to shape delivery from inception to completion, ensuring compliant decision-making. You will draft complex contracts (NEC/JCT) and provide strategic legal counsel on high-value projects and procurement. This is a chance to influence a wide range of public sector initiatives and leave a lasting impact for Lancashire communities. Join a collaborative, growth-oriented environment with opportunities to mentor colleagues and shape public-law governance.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays and buy-sell options
• staff discount scheme with Vivup
• development and career opportunities
• hybrid working

Responsibilities

• Advice on major construction, highways, and infrastructure projects
• Drafting and negotiating complex construction contracts (NEC, JCT, bespoke agreements)
• Providing commercial and strategic legal guidance on high-value projects
• Supporting procurement processes, subsidy control matters, and risk management
• Advising on public law, governance, and decision-making
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring to colleagues

Key requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with substantial construction and projects experience
• Extensive experience advising on construction and major projects matters
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate construction contracts (NEC/JCT)
• Experience on complex, high-value, strategically important projects
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Pragmatic, solutions-focused legal advice with a collaborative approach
• Experience in local government or public sector and knowledge of governance/public law (advantageous)

• stakeholder management
• communication
• pragmatism
• construction contracts drafting and negotiation
• NEC and JCT contract forms
• public procurement and subsidy control

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