Senior/principal associate - procurement (0413)

The role

We are seeking an experienced Procurement Solicitor to join our national cross‑sector public procurement team. The role involves supporting and advising clients across central and local government, national agencies, NHS bodies, education institutions, charities and utilities. Tasks include drafting procurement documentation, advising on procurement strategy, and providing advice on challenges to procurement decisions and processes.

We prefer candidates based in Birmingham or Cambridge, but applicants from Leeds, Manchester, Norwich or Oxford may also apply. The successful candidate will work on all aspects of procurement advice for procuring entities and suppliers, ranging from SMEs to PLCs.

Qualifications

5+ years PQE with prior public procurement experience. Demonstrated commercial legal skills, sound commercial acumen, and an understanding of the public sector. Passion for public procurement law.

Responsibilities

• Advising on all aspects of public procurement law
• Working with procurement litigation specialists on High Court proceedings (both defending and bringing challenges)
• Assisting in the maintenance of our procurement online resource, the Procurement Portal
• Supporting business development activities, including speaking at training events, seminars, and conferences, contributing to newsletters, blogs, tenders and pitches
• Contributing to internal know‑how and precedent development
• Supervising more junior members of the team, trainees, and apprentice solicitors

Skills and Attributes

• Broad experience in public procurement and commercial law
• Excellent written English for drafting
• Marketing and business development experience
• Experience of public speaking
• Commercial management skills, including scoping and pricing work
• Excellent time and paperwork management

Benefits

Competitive salary and a wide range of benefits.