Job Description Non-Contentious Construction Legal Director Location : Manchester P QE Level : 8 years' PQE Salary : £80,000 - £110,000 Bonus Lead an Award-Winning Construction Team as Legal Director Are you a senior Non-Contentious Construction lawyer ready to take on a leadership role with a leading international law firm? Our client, a London headquartered, international, full-service law firm with 250 years of heritage and a reputation for award-winning innovation, is seeking an exceptional Legal Director to join their highly regarded Non-Contentious Construction team in Leeds. Owing to ongoing growth, continued success, and a range of new and exciting instructions, this is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in transactional delivery, client relationship development, and the continued expansion of the team and practice. This is a high performing, cohesive, and busy team with a strong client roster, where you will become part of a wider national and international team of named experts with a robust framework for future development and progression to Partner level. The Firm Our client is a London headquartered, international, full-service law firm that consistently delivers high-quality outcomes for clients globally. With 250 years of heritage, the firm today supports over 5,000 of the world's most respected organisations, helping them in over 50 areas of business law across more than 100 countries. The firm is known for award-winning innovation and delivering impact to clients. The firm has a strong global presence with offices across Asia (Japan, Singapore), Europe (England & Wales, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Scotland, Spain), and the Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, UAE), plus regional business groups covering Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Recent major deals include advising on the largest UK IPO of 2025 (£300m market capitalisation), the £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear power station financing (one of Europe's most significant infrastructure projects), and the £275m sale of an iconic London landmark to a luxury international hotel group. The firm is a place where you are valued, encouraged, and challenged to fulfil your potential in a supportive and collegiate environment. The culture of improvement, growth, and collaboration delivers results, drives innovation, and rewards ambition. The firm's success has been built by people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives. The Group and Team With more than 100 specialist lawyers, including 26 Partners, the firm's highly rated Construction and Engineering team offers a full service of legal solutions to all aspects of the construction industry. From ports to sports stadiums, the award-winning team has changed city landscapes and infrastructure around the world for a range of clients, including leading property companies and developers, governments and other public bodies, contractors, and high-profile companies. The work of the group is hugely varied and includes buildings, residential and living accommodation, civil and process plant engineering, energy, infrastructure, transport, and utilities - across both private and public sectors. The team also provides project support and advice to the firm's wider Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, and Projects teams. The Construction and Engineering team is recognised for its technical excellence, commercial approach, and ability to deliver innovative solutions on complex, high-profile projects. The team has a strong track record of advising on major infrastructure projects, including energy facilities, transport networks, and large-scale developments. The Role As a Legal Director in the Non-Contentious Construction team, you will play a central leadership role in transactional delivery, client relationship development, and the continued expansion of the team and practice. You will have significant autonomy and extensive client engagement. As first line support for the Partners, you'll be taking your experience and expertise to the highest level, leading clients on a range of complex and market-leading matters in a range of sectors including living, office, retail, life sciences, energy, industrials, and transport. This is a key leadership position with clear progression to Partner level, where you will be expected to drive business development, manage client relationships, lead teams, and contribute to the strategic direction of the practice. Your key responsibilities will include: Strategic Advisory and Leadership: Providing strategic advice to a diverse range of high-calibre clients—including government bodies, funders, developers, employers, operators, contractors, sub-contractors, and professional teams—on high-profile projects Leading on complex, high-value construction transactions and providing expert guidance Advising on procurement strategies (including facilities management) Advising on effective dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms Supporting clients on both complex and day-to-day transactional matters, adding value through sector expertise Acting as trusted adviser to key clients and building long-term relationships Transactional Excellence: Drafting and negotiating a wide range of construction and engineering contracts, including JCT, NEC, and bespoke agreements Leading on construction or engineering projects within the UK Developing innovative solutions tailored to individual client needs Managing complex, high-value construction transactions from inception to completion Demonstrating technical excellence and commercial acumen on all matters Client Relationship Management and Business Development: Building, maintaining, and developing strong client relationships at senior level Acting as first line support for Partners on key client matters Direct client contact and engagement on high-profile projects Understanding client needs and delivering commercially focused solutions Leading business development activities and identifying opportunities for growth Developing and implementing client account strategies Contributing to pitches, proposals, and presentations Building your profile and reputation within the construction sector Networking and relationship building with clients, contacts, and market influencers Cross-selling firm services and identifying opportunities across practice areas Team Leadership and Development: Demonstrating strong supervision and management capabilities to help support and develop the group of talented junior lawyers Leading, supervising, and mentoring Managing Associates, Associates, junior lawyers, and trainees Providing technical guidance and leadership to the wider team Contributing to the development of the team's expertise and capabilities Managing team resources and workflow effectively Working collaboratively within a large, international team to provide comprehensive coverage and expertise Contributing to recruitment and talent development initiatives Building and developing a high-performing team culture Innovation and Thought Leadership: Demonstrating enthusiasm and leadership for innovation in legal service delivery Championing the use of legal technology and process improvement tools Leading the development of precedents and best practice approaches Embracing and driving the firm's award-winning innovation culture Contributing to thought leadership initiatives, articles, and presentations Representing the firm at industry events and conferences Practice Development: Contributing to the strategic direction and development of the Construction practice Identifying opportunities for practice growth and expansion Supporting the Partners in practice management and development Contributing to the firm's wider strategic initiatives Building relationships with other practice areas to support cross-selling About You Essential Requirements: Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales 8 years' PQE with strong technical capabilities in construction law Demonstrable track record of advising on non-contentious construction matters at senior level Significant experience advising on construction or engineering projects within the UK Proven track record of leading complex, high-value construction transactions Strong technical knowledge of construction and engineering contracts, including JCT, NEC, and bespoke agreements Extensive experience drafting and negotiating construction contracts Experience advising on procurement strategies Experience with dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms Experience advising a diverse range of clients including government bodies, funders, developers, employers, operators, contractors, sub-contractors, and professional teams Deep understanding of the construction industry and its commercial drivers Excellent drafting and negotiation skills at senior level Strong client relationship management skills with proven ability to build and maintain senior client relationships Proven ability to manage complex, high-value transactions Experience developing innovative solutions tailored to individual client needs Ability to support clients on both complex and day-to-day transactional matters Strong team player, able to lead and collaborate effectively within a large, international team Strong supervision and management capabilities with proven track record of developing junior lawyers Commercially focused with excellent problem-solving abilities Strong attention to detail and accuracy Business development experience with demonstrable track record Leadership skills and ability to contribute to practice development Highly Desirable: Experience across a range of construction sectors including living, office, retail, life sciences, energy, industrials, and transport Experience advising on major infrastructure projects Experience with facilities management procurement Experience working with Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, and Projects teams Strong enthusiasm for innovation in legal service delivery, including the use of legal technology and process improvement Proven track record in business development, pitching, and winning new work Strong networking and relationship building skills at senior level Extensive experience mentoring and supervising lawyers at all levels Experience working in a large, international law firm environment Experience contributing to practice management and strategic development Thought leadership experience (articles, presentations, conferences) Experience with cross-selling and identifying opportunities across practice areas Key Attributes: Client-focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery Commercially astute and business-oriented approach Proactive and solutions-focused Strong leadership capabilities with proven track record Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills at all levels Adaptable and flexible approach to work Enthusiastic about innovation and new ways of working Self-motivated with strong entrepreneurial drive Committed to continuous learning and development Passionate about construction law Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and can lead effectively Strategic thinker with ability to contribute to practice development Strong business acumen and commercial awareness What's On Offer Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work, with rewards and benefits that are among the best in the business. Benefits include: Competitive salary: £80,000 - £110,000 Bonus Bonus scheme International, full-service law firm with 250 years of heritage Support over 5,000 of the world's most respected organisations globally 50 areas of business law across 100 countries Award-winning innovation and reputation for delivering impact Construction and Engineering team: 100 specialist lawyers, including 26 Partners Highly rated and award-winning Construction team Work on high-profile projects that have changed city landscapes and infrastructure around the world Diverse client roster including leading property companies and developers, governments and other public bodies, contractors, and high-profile companies Hugely varied work across buildings, residential and living accommodation, civil and process plant engineering, energy, infrastructure, transport, and utilities Work across both private and public sectors Part of a wider national and international team of named experts Robust framework for future development and progression Clear pathway to Partner level Significant autonomy and extensive client engagement Leadership role with strategic input into practice development First line support for Partners on complex and market-leading matters Work across a range of sectors including living, office, retail, life sciences, energy, industrials, and transport Opportunity to develop innovative solutions for clients Lead and mentor teams of lawyers at all levels Access to legal technology and process improvement tools Culture of improvement, growth, and collaboration Supportive and collegiate environment Work on high-calibre matters with high-character colleagues Access to full-service firm resources (Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, Projects, Employment, Dispute Resolution, IP, Tax, Competition, and more) Employee networks that provide space to discuss differences and celebrate diversity Firm that values people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives Recent major deals: Largest UK IPO 2025 (£300m), £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear financing, £275m London landmark sale Global offices across Asia, Europe, and Middle East Regional business groups covering Africa, CEE, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye, Ukraine High performing, cohesive, and busy team with strong client roster Ongoing growth and continued success with range of new and exciting instructions Natural choice for FTSE100 clients and their equivalents in other markets Opportunity to build your profile and reputation in the construction sector Business development support and resources Thought leadership opportunities Location This role is based in the firm's Manchester office, located in the heart of the city's business district with excellent transport links and access to the city's amenities, restaurants, and cultural attractions. How to Apply If you're a senior Non-Contentious Construction lawyer (8 years' PQE) ready to take on a leadership role with a leading international law firm, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or 0333 996 2882