Procurement Senior Associate

Public Procurement Senior Associate | Leading International Firm

This is one of the UK's preeminent public procurement practices, and it sits within a global firm that holds top tier rankings across all their practice areas. The team advises on nationally and internationally significant projects across government, transport, utilities, defence, healthcare, and regeneration.

The advisory side of the practice is looking for a senior lawyer who can lead complex procurement matters, manage large workstreams on multi-disciplinary projects, and act as a trusted adviser to public authorities, utilities, and their contracting partners. You will not be doing routine OJEU notices in the background.

You will be shaping procurement strategy, designing processes, advising on contract modifications and direct awards, and sitting at the table when the most significant public sector deals are being structured.

The practice

The procurement team is unusual in combining advisory and disputes capability under one roof. That means you will work side-by-side with specialist procurement litigators, providing technical input on claims and defences, assessing litigation risk, and helping clients navigate the moments when a procurement process becomes contentious. You will see the full picture, not just one half of it.

The firm's wider platform matters here. Procurement does not operate in a vacuum. You will work closely with colleagues in construction, real estate, transport, utilities, defence, IT, and outsourcing on projects that are multi-disciplinary. The clients are a mix of contracting authorities and bidders, giving you a dual perspective that few practices can offer.

What you'll do

• Lead on complex procurement matters, advising on strategy, regulatory compliance, direct awards, and contract modifications
• Manage procurement workstreams on large, cross-practice projects, coordinating with specialists across the firm
• Advise clients on the design, delivery, and governance of procurement processes, always with a commercial, solutions-focused approach
• Play a significant role in procurement disputes, working with the disputes team to develop case strategy and support claims and defences
• Supervise, coach, and develop junior lawyers, building the team's expertise and contributing to a high-performing culture
• Build and strengthen client relationships, identifying opportunities to grow existing work and develop new business
• Contribute to thought leadership, deliver training, speak at industry events, and raise the profile of the practice

There is a clear path here. The firm invests in its senior lawyers and expects this role to lead towards partnership or other senior leadership opportunities. You will have the support to build your profile, the autonomy to shape your caseload, and the platform to make your mark.

About you

You are a procurement lawyer with at least 5 years PQE, gained at a leading regional, national, or international firm. You have strong technical expertise in public procurement and/or utilities procurement law, and you are comfortable managing matters with autonomy and commercial judgement.

You have experience supervising and developing junior colleagues, and you take that responsibility seriously. You communicate clearly, negotiate effectively, and understand that the best advice is both technically accurate and practically usable. You are ambitious, collaborative, and ready to contribute to the long-term success of a market-leading practice.

What you'll get

• A senior role in a Band 1, UK-wide procurement practice backed by a global platform
• Work that is complex, high-value, and often in the public eye
• A clear and supported pathway to partnership, with structured development and mentoring
• A collaborative, inclusive culture with hybrid working and a genuine commitment to work-life balance
• Competitive senior-level remuneration and benefits

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