PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

•    Due to continued growth within our Infrastructure, Projects & Energy (IPE) practice, we are looking to recruit an Associate to join our Manchester team. 
•    This is an opportunity to work on a diverse mix of infrastructure, public sector, regeneration and commercial projects for some of the UK's most significant public and private sector organisations. 
•    You will work closely with partners and colleagues across the Manchester office and wider national IPE team, supporting clients across sectors including health, housing, regeneration, local government, energy, utilities, transport and education. 
•    The role offers excellent exposure to high-profile projects, strategic client relationships and opportunities for long-term career progression within one of the UK's leading infrastructure practices.

THE TEAM

•    As one of most established multi-disciplinary teams of any law firm, we give clients the confidence they need to succeed. The team advises funds, developers, asset managers, operators, financial institutions, energy and utility companies, central and local government and NHS Trusts on innovative, complex projects, which are frequently in the headlines.
•    The team places a high emphasis on their transactional expertise and are able to bring a commercial and business-orientated approach to a wide range of work in markets as diverse as water, large scale outsourcing, renewable energy, transport, and healthcare, in the UK and all over the world. We frequently advise on novel and "first in class" projects.
•    The team advises on complex social infrastructure schemes spanning multiple sectors including healthcare, education, housing and regeneration, and local government, nationally and internationally on projects such as the Department of Health and Social Care in relation to its Neighbourhood Health Centre Procurement Programme, Turks and Caicos Islands Government on its Hospital PPP, a new hospital in Indonesia, purchasing care homes, advising on commercialising IP for NHS Trusts, Salford City Council's £80m social housing regeneration project, a prominent North West University on its complex student accommodation redevelopment and a number of high profile private hospitals on the procurement of services arrangements with the NHS.
•    In the energy and utilities space, the team's work includes several pathfinder projects such as advising: United Utilities on its Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme DPC project, a major infrastructure project to provide water to Manchester and the Pennines; the National Wealth Fund on the Sizewell C new build nuclear power station and SGN on Gas to the West, a pipeline bringing gas from Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic.
•    The transport team is recognised as one of the most experienced in the sector with technical expertise across a range of national and international projects. We specifically focus on rail, urban transit, ports, freight and logistics and transport hubs. We are on the legal panels for the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Transport for London and Transport for Greater Manchester.
•    As this shows, we have a fantastic variety of work. It's not just big ticket, high pressure transactions though – we also do a whole range of smaller matters, providing a great arena for mid-level associates to gain experience in a supportive environment.  There is an opportunity to specialise, or gain experience in, many different areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE

•    Advising public and private sector clients on a wide range of infrastructure, regeneration and commercial projects. 
•    Supporting on project development, procurement exercises, strategic partnerships, commercial contracts and operational arrangements. 
•    Working across sectors such as healthcare, housing, regeneration, education, energy, utilities, transport and local government. 
•    Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial and project documentation. 
•    Managing workstreams on complex matters and taking increasing responsibility for client contact and transaction management. 
•    Building strong relationships with clients and becoming a trusted adviser through responsive and commercially focused advice. 
•    Collaborating closely with colleagues across multiple practice areas to deliver integrated solutions for clients. 
•    Benefiting from structured training, mentoring and development opportunities within a supportive and ambitious team environment.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

•    Qualified lawyer with experience within Infrastructure, Projects & Energy or from a Commercial Contracts background.
•    An interest in infrastructure projects and the delivery of essential services, whether through public sector, regulated or private sector markets.
•    Strong drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
•    Have enthusiasm, resilience, and ambition to find solutions to clients' legal challenges and requirements.
•    Commercial awareness and an interest in understanding how clients deliver and operate projects.
•    Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across a varied workload.
•    A collaborative approach and a willingness to work across sectors and disciplines.
•    Enthusiasm, resilience and a desire to develop into a trusted adviser within a leading infrastructure practice.
•    Be enthusiastic about the development of your legal skill set and continuous learning.
•    Be inquisitive and want to understand our clients, their drivers and what matters to them, so that your advice has quality, imagination, and impact.

OUR FIRM

Our story of international growth is built on a performance mindset, innovation and true collaboration. We believe results follow relationships, so we work closely with each other, and develop deep client connections to deliver. 

Our award-winning culture balances high standards and hard work with genuine care – looking out for each other, supporting professional development, in a down to earth and inclusive environment. We do the right things in the right ways, combining commercial excellence and innovative thinking with teamwork. Together, we deliver excellence, achieve stand out solutions, and enable career-defining opportunities.