In- house Legal Counsel

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We are looking for a motivated, professional In-House Legal Counsel to join our legal team to provide commercial and compliance support to 1,100 colleagues across the UK & Ireland. This role is based in our Leeds office and can be worked flexibly with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

Please note we will be relocating to Leeds City Centre mid 2026 from our current base in Chapel Allerton.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the Head of Legal, working closely with the business on a broad range of legal duties.
• Reviewing forms of contract for the provision of professional consultancy services (NDAs, appointments, collateral warranties, novation, intra-company arrangements).
• Negotiating directly with a wide range of clients and supply chain partners across the built environment, energy, industry and other professional services.
• Dealing with legal, insurance, governance and compliance matters.
• Providing support on contentious matters.
• Working closely with the business to review a range of professional service contracts; drafting and negotiating amendments to reflect Sweco’s governance and risk appetite, while facilitating business transactions.
• Working with both bespoke contracts and standard industry forms (e.g. NEC, FIDIC, ACE).
• Supporting privacy and compliance governance matters.
• Communicating effectively with a range of internal and external partners, across all sectors, to ensure compliance issues are understood and effectively managed.
• Providing technical guidance, support and training to colleagues and assisting in mentoring and development of others.
• Playing an active role within the legal team, developing and promoting technical excellence in all legal areas, and keeping up to date with developments across a range of sectors.
• Demonstrating commercial acumen, understanding our strategy, and working collaboratively with team members to achieve business objectives.
• Advising and supporting colleagues through both formal and informal contentious matters and liaising with insurers, brokers and external counsel where required.

Qualifications and Experience

• A client-focused, commercially aware mindset with a solution-oriented approach.
• A collaborative attitude with a strong team focus.
• Ability to communicate persuasively and positively with team members, and explain legal concepts clearly to non-legal audiences.
• Ability to analyse legal issues quickly and deliver effective reports to all management levels of the business.
• A curious and pragmatic mindset, flexible in approach, able to work on own initiative and seek assistance when required.
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload to meet timescales.
• Good problem‑solving and contingency‑planning skills with a focus on innovative, practical solutions.
• Commitment to personal development and to enabling and supporting the learning of others.
• Awareness of the impact on others and ability to adapt approach appropriately.
• Understanding of the importance of pride in work, accurate timely delivery, and strong attention to detail.
• Engineering consultancy and construction sector experience, including knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022.
• Awarded awareness and experience of data privacy matters in the context of internal governance and a varied portfolio of projects.
• Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification.
• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors with a current Practising Certificate (2–4 years PQE) or qualified as a Legal Executive/CILEX.
• At least 3 years’ experience (in‑house or private practice) dealing with insurance matters, contract/commercial negotiations in the built environment and data regulations.

If you believe you have the skill set required to join our team and are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunities

It’s important to us that all our colleagues thrive at work. We strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture that respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident employer.

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please contact GB_Function-HR-Resourcing@sweco.co.uk for assistance.