Senior Legal Counsel - PFI Projects

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Legal Counsel to support our Projects business units with their day‑to‑day legal requirements. This is a key role providing high quality, pragmatic legal advice across a diverse portfolio of complex PFI and infrastructure projects. You will work closely with operational, commercial and finance stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor to the business. The role requires a strong grounding in construction law, a solutions‑focused approach, and the ability to navigate the complexities of long‑term PFI and PPP arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review new business opportunities and provide strategic legal input on risk, structure and delivery
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of construction and commercial contracts, including JCT and NEC forms and associated documentation
• Provide transactional support to PFI/PPP project teams, including Deeds of Variation, Early Works Agreements and Letters of Indemnity
• Lead on legal input for complex and strategic projects, ensuring commercially sound outcomes
• Identify legal risks and work with business units to develop effective mitigation strategies
• Support the resolution of legal and commercial issues including contract terminations, payment disputes and other contentious matters
• Engage closely with internal stakeholders across finance, commercial and operations to support decision‑making
• Promote compliance with governance frameworks and internal approval processes
• Deliver and support legal training initiatives within the division
• Develop and maintain precedent documentation to drive efficiency and consistency
• Instruct and manage external legal advisers, ensuring commercially focused and practical advice

About You

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with strong post‑qualification experience
• Extensive experience in construction law, with exposure to PFI and PPP contracts (highly desirable)
• Strong working knowledge of industry standard contracts (JCT, NEC) and related documents such as collateral warranties, parent company guarantees and performance bonds
• Understanding of building safety and higher‑risk building regulations and their implications
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively
• Confident leading negotiations and engaging with clients and senior stakeholders
• Commercially astute, with a practical and solutions‑oriented mindset
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, with the ability to own matters with minimal supervision

What Sets You Apart

• Ability to navigate the complexities of PFI/PPP structures and long‑term contractual arrangements
• Strong client relationship skills, with experience leading discussions, negotiations and key project interactions
• A proactive approach that goes beyond legal advice, considering operational delivery and wider business impact
• A focus on adding value through commercially sound contract structuring and strategic thinking

Why Join Us

• Work on high‑profile, complex infrastructure and PFI projects
• Be part of a collaborative and forward‑thinking legal team
• Opportunity to influence strategic decision‑making across the business
• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive salary and benefits package

EEO Statement

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long‑term condition and need us to make any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced legal professional with a background in construction and PFI/PPP projects and are looking for a role where you can make a meaningful commercial impact, we would like to hear from you.