Senior Associate - Projects (PFI/PPP)

DAC Beachcroft LLP; North East; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a Senior Associate to join its infrastructure and projects team in Newcastle. This role involves advising on PFI/PPP projects and managing complex commercial agreements for public and private sector clients. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of PQE, preferably with experience in public sector projects. Join a collaborative environment focused on significant infrastructure initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' PQE in commercial contracts, experience in PFI/PPP projects.
• Experience advising on operational management of PFI/PPP projects.
• Strong technical and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage advice on infrastructure projects and complex commercial agreements.
• Support clients in operational contract management.
• Advise on expiry and hand-back of PFI contracts.
• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Build client relationships and develop practice.
• Participate in business development.
• Contribute to training initiatives.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Public sector infrastructure projects

Client relationship management

Technical skills

Inter-personal skills

Job description

Senior Associate - Projects (PFI/PPP)

Department: Health Care and Public Law - Bristol

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Newcastle

Description

DACB has an opening for an ambitious Senior Associate to join its market-leading infrastructure and projects team to advise both public and private sector clients on high profile and complex infrastructure contracts, including PFI/PPP and related services contracts. Construction law or project finance experience is a benefit but not essential.

Working as part of a national, multi-disciplinary team, you will provide practical and commercial legal advice on a broad range of agreements across a range of sectors, including health, education, transport, energy, water/environment and regeneration.

This role is ideal for a lawyer with some experience in PFI/PPP projects and other national PPP programmes (e.g. NHS LIFT, Building Schools for the Future, Welsh Government Schools MIM projects) and looking to take on a varied mix of more complex contract work.

It is a fantastic opportunity to work on significant infrastructure projects at national and regional levels and be part a collaborative and supportive team with a focus on growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide and manage advice on the structuring and delivery of a range of infrastructure projects and complex commercial agreements to both public and private sector clients;
• Support our clients with the operational contract management of existing PFI/PPPs and their sub-contracts (including variations, refinancings, performance issues, contract interpretation, etc. but other than pure construction contracts);
• Advise and support clients on the expiry and hand-back of PFI contracts, providing practical legal support – in line with NISTA and other relevant guidance - on the contractual obligations on hand-back and future service provision;
• Work collaboratively across our multi-disciplinary Infrastructure and Projects team (colleagues from real estate, construction, dispute resolution, etc.) to support clients on infrastructure projects;
• Play an active role in managing client relationships, with a real opportunity to build relationships and develop your own practice;
• Take part in business development and contribute to the growth of the team;
• Contribute to training initiatives (both internally and externally);

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• ~5+ years' PQE in commercial contracts with some experience in public sector infrastructure projects, working on PFI and PPP and similar long-term, complex contractual frameworks.
• Some experience of advising on the operational management of PFI/PPP project and supporting clients in preparing for PFI/PPP expiry;
• Ability to provide practical and commercial legal advice that is delivery focussed;
• Demonstrable experience working collaboratively across muti-disciplinary, cross-office teams;
• Ability to operate independently, lead on matters and liaise/build relationships with clients;
• Strong technical and inter-personal skills.