Associate, Procurement - Belfast

About Us

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm with over 5,000 colleagues in more than 30 countries. We are a full-service firm with deep niche and sector expertise. Whatever the challenge, wherever in the world, we are equipped and ready to meet it.

We live our values and are purpose-led. While the world is fast-moving and constantly evolving, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting your career or are well-established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services, if you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to Expect

At Eversheds Sutherland, you will work on a wide variety of matters, both regional and international. You’ll grow your global mindset, be encouraged to put ideas into action, and find new challenges to engage with. We see the fast-moving world as a place to thrive, and we are excited for what’s next – so with us, you can be too.

Our Team

We are recruiting someone to join Partner Lisa Boyd in Belfast, who covers both construction and procurement (contentious and non-contentious), as well as commercial contracts in Northern Ireland. This is a varied role, also covering procurement and construction matters for other jurisdictions including ROI and the UK.

You will also be part of the wider Eversheds Sutherland global team, a friendly, well-integrated group of specialist lawyers committed to excellent client service, team growth, and the further development of the practice.

As a Band 1 listed practice, our lawyers are recognised as leaders in their field and will support you in developing your skills as a highly skilled procurement lawyer.

Role and Key Responsibilities

We are seeking an Associate to join the team. You will:

-Advise on a broad range of high-profile and high-value work in the public and utilities sectors.

-Act for central government departments, major government agencies, local and regional authorities, national utilities, universities, charities, and private sector clients interacting with these bodies.

-Work as part of cross-practice collaborative teams on large projects, as well as taking responsibility for standalone matters.

-Engage actively with clients and colleagues across the business, and participate in the team’s business development activities.

-Work closely with our specialist procurement litigators, supporting complaints and challenge work.

-Play a key role in supporting clients and shaping the practice in light of the upcoming Procurement Bill and ongoing reform agenda.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for candidates who:

-Have experience working on public and utility procurement matters.

-Ideally have experience advising private sector bidders on public procurement.

-Knowledge of subsidy control/State aid or public sector governance would be advantageous but is not essential.

- Are Northern Ireland qualified. Additional qualification in ROI or English law would be a bonus.

- Ideally have 1–2 years post-qualification experience, though exceptional candidates outside this range will also be considered.

- Experience in construction law is desirable but not essential; candidates with both procurement and construction experience are particularly welcome.

What’s in it for You?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits that focus on your development, performance, financial future, and health, as well as opportunities to make a contribution to the world:

Fair, transparent, and equitable policies.

Reward for performance, alignment to values, and going above and beyond.

Flexible ways of working through our remote and hybrid working policies.

Health support, including dental, healthcare, and wellness programs.

A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Structured professional and personal training, mentoring, and development programs.

International and cross-practice exposure.

Opportunities to give back through pro bono work and community engagement.

Support with retirement planning, insurance, and financial assurance.

Diversity and Inclusion

“Inclusive” is a core business value at Eversheds Sutherland. We foster diversity of thought, encourage collaboration, and respect individual contributions. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture, monitoring our progress, and improving our approach.

Flexible working arrangements are welcome where feasible. If you need adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact us so we can accommodate you.

For you, for your success, and for what’s next.