Legal Counsel in Edinburgh

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Our Group Legal Department is a dedicated in‑house team of talented legal professionals based in Croydon, UK, and other offices around the globe. This team is responsible for providing legal advice on all matters associated with Mott MacDonald’s global business. We’re expanding our team to meet growing commitments and are looking for a proactive and positive Legal Counsel to join us, supporting the Regional General Counsel – EUNA, and the Senior Legal Counsels, to advise on a wide range of legal matters, but primarily focused on our infrastructure consultancy business.

The successful candidate will have significant practical experience of UK and international transactional construction matters, from a contractor or engineer/architect perspective, gained in either private practice or in‑house. Some experience of working in‑house would be beneficial, but not essential. This role would preferably be based in Croydon, although as a business, we have embraced agile working, and for the right candidate, we would consider other locations around the UK, with a willingness to visit Croydon/London regularly. The role will primarily serve our Europe and UK (EUNA) business, with a strong emphasis on the UK infrastructure market, although you may also get the opportunity to assist our other regions including North America, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. It will require daily interaction with project teams as well as regional senior management.

You’ll need strong drafting, communication and negotiation skills. You should be able to manage your own workload and work independently, while also collaborating effectively as you advise key stakeholders on major projects that shape our communities.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of construction documentation including consultancy agreements, construction contracts, framework agreements, collateral warranties, novation deeds, and parent company guarantees.
• Identify departures from our governance and assist project teams in obtaining the necessary internal approvals where appropriate.
• Advise the business on applicable laws and regulations.
• Revise and maintain legal templates.
• Draft and update legal guidance.
• Advise business on litigation and insurance matters, which may include liaising with outside counsel and technical experts.
• Support other parts of the Legal Department such as the Ethics and Compliance, and Privacy and Data Protection teams, on construction related issues.
• Occasional travel to our Head Office in Croydon will be required, typically around twice per month.

Candidate specification:

• England and Wales qualified solicitor with extensive years PQE (qualification in other common law jurisdictions considered).
• Relevant experience of construction law either in private practice or in‑house for a major contractor, engineer or architect.
• Significant experience in negotiating and drafting construction documentation as a qualified lawyer.
• Experience and knowledge of construction disputes and insurance (nice to have).
• Great analytical skills and excellent legal knowledge.
• Ability to multitask, problem solve, and balance competing priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work autonomously or as part of a bigger team.

Agile working: At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion: We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility: We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Financial wellbeing: We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%. Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary. Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
• Employee Ownership: Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success. Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments. Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• Lifestyle: A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Enhanced family and carers leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Learning and development: Primary annual professional institution subscription. A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.