Job Description

Non-Contentious Construction Managing Associate

Location: Manchester

Salary: £60,000 to £80,000 plus bonus

Experience: 5–7 years’ PQE

 

If you’re a non-contentious construction lawyer ready to step up, this is a strong opportunity to join a busy construction team in Manchester, working on high-quality projects work with real client exposure.

You’ll support partners on complex matters, take ownership of key workstreams, and play a hands-on role in developing junior lawyers and contributing to team growth.

 

The Opportunity

This role offers a broad spread of non-contentious construction work, with autonomy, client contact and clear scope to progress.

• Advise on a range of non-contentious construction matters across multiple sectors

• Draft and negotiate construction and engineering contracts, including JCT, NEC and bespoke agreements

• Advise on procurement strategies (including facilities management)

• Support clients with dispute avoidance and risk management mechanisms

• Manage matters from instruction through to completion, ensuring quality and commercial focus

• Build and maintain client relationships and support business development activity

• Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and trainees

• Contribute to precedents, best practice and process improvement

• Collaborate with colleagues across real estate, banking, corporate and projects on multi-disciplinary instructions

 

About You

Essential

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

• 5–7 years’ PQE with strong technical capability in non-contentious construction

• Proven experience advising on UK construction or engineering projects

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills across construction documentation (including JCT and NEC)

• Commercial, pragmatic approach with strong attention to detail

• Confident client relationship management skills

• Experience supervising and supporting junior lawyers

• Collaborative working style and interest in innovation and process-led delivery

Desirable

• Experience across a range of sectors (for example, energy, transport, life sciences, industrials or large-scale developments)

• Experience advising on facilities management procurement

• Experience supporting business development and pitching activity

• Experience in a large, multi-office practice environment

 

What’s On Offer

• Salary of £60,000 to £80,000 plus bonus

• High-quality non-contentious construction work with strong client exposure

• Autonomy and responsibility, with partner support

• Clear progression pathway

• Supportive, collaborative culture with a focus on development

• Access to legal technology and process improvement tools

 

About Our Client

Our client is a large, full-service law firm with a strong construction capability and a collaborative, people-focused culture. The team advises on a broad range of projects and procurement work and is known for combining technical excellence with a commercial, solutions-led approach.

 

Location & Working Arrangements

Manchester City Centre

 

Next Steps

Apply online or send your CV to lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or call 0333 996 2882 for more information.

All applications will be handled in strict confidence. Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to ethical recruitment and the highest standards of confidentiality for all applicants.