Senior Associate - Infrastructure

Mills & Reeve LLP; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in the UK seeks a Senior Associate to join its Projects and Infrastructure team. This role requires at least 5 years PQE in commercial law, along with expertise in public sector contracts and strong drafting skills. You will handle significant projects within sectors like health and renewables. The firm values ambition and a client-first approach, offering a competitive salary and benefits within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive pre-employment screening

Qualifications

• Significant commercial law experience with a minimum of 5 years PQE.
• Experience working with the public sector or for private sector companies contracting with the public sector.
• Strong drafting skills, preferably with experience of the Model Services Contract and PFI / PPP documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead/co-lead on major projects.
• Advise on PFI operational matters.
• Structure and draft high-value commercial contracts.

Skills

Commercial law experience

Strong drafting skills

Public procurement experience

Security Clearance

Client-focused attitude

Education

Minimum of 5 years PQE

Job description

Senior Associate - Infrastructure (0414)

Mills & Reeve are hiring an experienced Commercial solicitor to join the Projects and Infrastructure team and be involved in high value and high profile projects. If you are experienced in this field and looking for an exciting new opportunity to be part of a growing team, then we would love to hear from you!

The role

We are looking to welcome an ambitious lawyer to our busy and friendly projects and Infrastructure team where you will work on a range of projects focussed on the social infrastructure PPP sector, taking in:

• the Living sector, and student accommodation projects in particular;
• renewables and net zero projects;
• Government sector;
• Health sector;
• legacy / operational PFI projects.

Our team is constantly involved in high value and high‑profile projects, advising across a range of sectors for Government departments, contracting authorities and our private sector clients on a variety of complex commercial contracts, often with national importance. Our Student team has a leading national profile, and regularly advises both Universities and bidding consortia. We also maintain a strong team advising on legacy / operational PFI projects, that is preparing to advise on successors to PFI, including the recently announced Neighbourhood Health Centres. The team is also active in renewables and net‑zero projects

You will be given earlyresponsibility to run projects and your own matters, but will also be able to work closely with key partners. You need to be a confident self‑starter and happy to take your own initiative.

Theteam is growing, founded by a solid position on CCS, Government, Healthcare and University panels, balanced by a private sector roles.

This role could be based out of any of our regional offices, excluding London

The person

You will have:

• significant commercial law experience, with a minimum of 5 years PQE;
• experience working with the public sector or for private sector companies contracting with the public sector;
• strong drafting skills (preferably with experience of the Model Services Contract and PFI / PPP documentation);
• the ability to give clear, simple and pragmatic advice and being entirely comfortable working collaboratively with clients;
• public procurement experience as a plus but not a requirement;
• Security Clearance as a plus but not a requirement;
• enthusiasm; and
• a “can‑do” attitude and a desire to put the client first

The activities

You will be involved in:

• Leading / co‑leading on major projects and assisting to develop innovative, cutting‑edge contract structures;
• advising on PFI operational matters and PFI expiry/variation;
• advising on future public private partnerships and PFI successor models;
• advising on a range of renewables and low carbon projects, including in particular heat networks, solar and decentralised energy schemes;
• structuring, drafting and negotiating high value commercial contracts (including financial and technical schedules);
• mentoring and supervising members of the team and supporting training for clients;
• leading and participating in business development initiatives and marketing events, including client training, preparation of tenders, attending pitches and attending client hospitality events;
• undertaking and co‑ordinating project management to ensure a seamless service; and
• the option of working on procurement issues/developing procurement skills

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

The benefits

As you'd expect, we offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits. Click here to find out more about our core benefit offering.

If we offer you a role, we will conduct comprehensive pre‑employment screening. This screening will include, but is not limited to, a basic DBS, verification of your right to work, a three year employment history and a self‑declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role. Full details of our pre‑screening employment process are available upon request.

The firm

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve. Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning, and receive consistent experiences with no surprises. We tell them what they need to know when they need to know it.

We build personal relationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don't offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations. Our 1,450 plus people and over 850 lawyers share one vision – achieving more for clients.

By joining Mills & Reeve, you'll have the chance to build your skills and experience within a firm that's not only ranked in the top 50 UK law firms, but also one that truly values their people. We're also ranked in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, and have been awarded Platinum Investors in People. Our mantra is “Achieve more. Together.”, which we feel embodies our purpose and is more than just a catchphrase!

Our values are the principles that help us fulfil our purpose. Our people shaped them and live them every day.

• We’re ambitious - We aim high, we embrace new ideas and we’re passionate about our work
• We’re open - We communicate openly and honestly to build trust, and we do what’s right
• We care - We’re committed to each other, our clients, our communities and the planet
• We collaborate - We’re easy to work with, we offer help willingly and we get things done – together

And finally

Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm. We encourage everyone to ask if they feel they need any workplace adjustments, and will do our best to support with these.