Solicitor - Commercial and Procurement

Department: Health Care and Public Law - Newcastle

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Newcastle

Description

DAC Beachcroft is seeking an ambitious and commercially minded solicitor (~2-6 years' PQE) to join our highly successful Commercial, Public Procurement, Infrastructure & Projects practice.

This is a unique opportunity to work across a broad spectrum of complex commercial contracting matters for predominantly public sector clients, including NHS bodies, central government departments, local authorities, arm's-length bodies and private sector organisations delivering public services.

The role offers an unusual mix of high-quality commercial contracts work alongside involvement in nationally significant infrastructure, outsourcing, PPP and PFI projects. You will work with leading lawyers across our Commercial & Procurement, Projects, Real Estate, Construction and Dispute Resolution teams on some of the most complex and high-profile projects in the market.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will advise on a wide range of commercial and contractual matters including:

• Drafting, negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts for public and private sector clients;
• Advising on outsourcing, managed services, technology, facilities management and strategic service delivery arrangements;
• Supporting public sector clients on major transformation, infrastructure and regeneration projects;
• Advising on PFI, PPP and other long-term partnering arrangements throughout their lifecycle, including contract management, contract variations, operational issues and expiry planning;
• Supporting clients in relation to PFI handback and operational contract matters;
• Advising on procurement strategy, procurement processes and procurement law compliance for a variety of commercial arrangements;
• Working on major cross-disciplinary projects involving colleagues from procurement, real estate, construction, projects, finance and disputes teams;
• Providing practical, risk-based and commercially focused advice to clients;
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships;
• Supporting business development, thought leadership, training and client events.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• ~2-6 years' PQE gained in a recognised commercial, projects, public sector or infrastructure practice;
• Strong experience drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial contracts;
• Experience of, or a genuine interest in developing expertise in, complex public sector contracting;
• An ability to provide pragmatic, strategic advice on commercial arrangements, balancing legal risk with operational and service delivery objectives;
• An interest in working on multidisciplinary projects and collaborating with specialists across a range of legal disciplines;
• Knowledge of UK public procurement law and procurement processes, or a strong desire to develop specialist expertise in this area;
• Experience of outsourcing, managed services, technology contracts, infrastructure projects, PFI/PPP arrangements or other complex contractual frameworks (desirable but not essential);
• A practical and commercial approach to problem solving;
• Strong relationship management and communication skills;
• The ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team;
• A strong academic background and an appetite to take on responsibility and develop their practice.

Why Join Us?

You will join one of the UK's leading public sector commercial and procurement practices, working alongside market-leading lawyers on matters that shape the delivery of public services and infrastructure across the country.

Our team advises clients across healthcare, government, transport, energy, technology, education, water, regeneration and wider public sector markets. We are involved in many of the most significant procurement, outsourcing and infrastructure projects currently being undertaken in the UK.

You will benefit from:

• Exposure to high-profile and complex work from day one;
• Direct client contact and responsibility appropriate to your experience;
• Structured development and mentoring from leading practitioners;
• Opportunities to develop specialist expertise in procurement, infrastructure and public sector contracting;
• A genuinely collaborative national team environment;
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements;
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Additional Information As a Disability Confident Scheme employer, we're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage (including the application, assessment or interview process), please contact recruitment@dacbeachcroft.com in confidence with the vacancy reference in the subject line, and we'll be happy to help.