Senior Legal Counsel in Watford

Senior Legal Counsel in Watford

Watford Full-Time 110000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide legal advice on construction contracts and manage legal risks in exciting projects.
  • Company: Join a top-tier construction and infrastructure business with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, and long-term career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic legal team supporting high-profile projects.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 6+ years PQE and strong non-contentious legal experience.

The predicted salary is between 110000 - 120000 £ per year.

  • Senior Legal Counsel (Construction)
  • £110,000 - £120,000
  • Watford (hybrid working)
  • Permanent, Full Time

Sellick Partnership is exclusively partnered with an international, tier 1 construction and infrastructure business to recruit a Senior Legal Counsel (non-contentious).

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established in-house legal team supporting a broad portfolio of high-profile construction and infrastructure projects across the UK.

The successful candidate will work closely with commercial and operational stakeholders, providing pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of non-contentious construction matters while helping to manage legal risk across the business.

Senior Legal Counsel - Role Overview

Reporting into the General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel will play a key role in supporting the business on contractual and commercial matters.

The position sits within a collaborative in-house legal team and offers exposure to a wide variety of construction, commercial and project work.

This role is a non-contentious role, with responsibility for reviewing, drafting and negotiating construction contracts, advising project teams throughout the project lifecycle, supervising, mentoring and supporting colleagues and liaising with external legal advisers where required.

Occasional involvement in contentious matters may arise, although previous disputes experience is not essential.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide commercially focused legal advice on a broad range of construction and engineering contracts, together with wider commercial agreements.
  • Negotiate and draft key project documentation, including framework arrangements, collateral warranties, novation agreements and other ancillary construction documents.
  • Work closely with operational and project stakeholders, offering guidance on contractual obligations, risk allocation, contract administration and dispute avoidance.
  • Deliver pragmatic legal solutions that support commercial objectives while appropriately managing legal and contractual risk.
  • Develop, review and update template agreements, playbooks and standard legal documentation to improve efficiency and consistency.
  • Advise on a variety of commercial contracts, including procurement, supplier, technology and professional services agreements.
  • Deliver training sessions and provide ongoing support to enhance contractual awareness across the organisation.
  • Identify and mitigate legal and commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Provide guidance and support to less experienced members of the legal function, encouraging their professional development.
  • Instruct and manage external legal advisers where specialist advice is required, ensuring value for money and quality of service.

Requirements

  • Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales) with ideally 6+ years PQE and strong experience in non-contentious legal work
  • Construction sector experience gained either in private practice or in-house (previous experience from a contractor point of view is highly advantageous)
  • Demonstrable experience reviewing and negotiating construction contracts.
  • Familiarity with industry-standard contract forms, including JCT, NEC, and FIDIC.
  • Experience advising on ancillary agreements, including collateral warranties, bonds, and parent company guarantees.
  • Ability to provide clear, practical, and commercially focused legal advice.
  • Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
  • Confidence working autonomously and managing competing priorities.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain legal matters clearly.
  • Experience supervising, mentoring, or supporting colleagues in a professional environment.

What's in it for you?

  • Hybrid working (up to two days working from home)
  • Flexible working options considered
  • Opportunity to join a market-leading Tier 1 construction business
  • Broad, varied in-house legal role with excellent exposure across the business
  • Supportive and collaborative legal team
  • Long-term career development opportunities within a global organisation.

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.

Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV.

For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Senior Legal Counsel in Watford employer: Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited

Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited is an excellent employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead within a supportive local government team. With a focus on employee growth and development, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that values strategic contributions and provides competitive remuneration. Working in this role not only allows for meaningful engagement in public sector operations but also offers the chance to make a significant impact in the community.

Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited

Contact Details:

Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel in Watford

Get Involved in Law Societies

Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.

Tap into Online Legal Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.

Attend Career Fairs and Workshops

Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.

Leverage Your University’s Career Services

If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel in Watford

Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales)
Non-contentious legal work
Construction sector experience
Reviewing construction contracts
Negotiating construction contracts
Familiarity with JCT, NEC, and FIDIC
Advising on collateral warranties, bonds, and parent company guarantees

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.

Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.

Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited and the specific role of Senior Legal Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.

Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited’s culture!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited

Know Your Legal Principles

Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.

Be Ready for Case Studies

Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.

Show Off Your Research Skills

As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited.

Exude Professionalism and Confidence

In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Sellick Partnership (Legal) Limited.