In- house Legal Counsel

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.

As In-House Legal Counsel, you’ll be responsible for:

• Supporting the Head of Legal, working closely with our 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 our supply chain, across a range of sectors including the built environment, energy, industry and other professional services.
• Dealing with legal, insurance, governance and compliance matters.
• Providing support on contentious matters.

What does the role involve?

• Working closely with the business to review a range of professional service contracts; drafting and negotiating amendments to reflect Sweco’s governance and appetite for risk whilst 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 risk managed.
• Providing technical guidance, support and training to colleagues and assist in mentoring and development of others.
• Playing an active role within the legal team, developing and promoting our technical excellence in all legal areas, keeping up to date with developments both in legal practice and application across a range of sectors.
• Demonstrating commercial acumen, understanding our strategy and working in collaboration with team members and disciplines to achieve our business objectives.
• Advising and supporting colleagues through both formal and informal contentious matters and liaising with insurers, brokers and external counsel where required.

To be successful in this role, you will need to possess:

• A client focused, commercially aware mindset with a solution orientated approach.
• A collaborative attitude, with a strong team focus.
• An ability to communicate both in a persuasive and positive manner with other team members and to provide advice on legal concepts clearly to those without a legal background.
• An ability to quickly analyse legal issues and deliver effective reports to all management levels of the business.
• A curious and pragmatic mindset, flexible in approach to adopt new methods of working, being able to work on own initiative and seek assistance when required.
• An ability to organise and prioritise workload to ensure that timescales are met.
• Good problem solving / contingency planning skills with the ability to find quick, innovative and practical solutions.
• The commitment to take responsibility for your personal development and enable and support the learning of others.
• An ability to recognise own impact on others and adapt approach where appropriate.
• An understanding of the importance of taking pride in your work, through accurate timely delivery and attention to detail.
• Engineering consultancy and construction sector experience including an understanding of the implications of the Building Safety Act 2022.
• Awareness and experience of data privacy matters in the context of both internal governance requirements and a varied portfolio of projects.

Professional Membership and Qualifications:

• Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification.
• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors with current Practising Certificate (2-4 years PQE) or Legal Executive / CILEX qualified.
• At least 3 years’ experience (gained in-house or in private practice) of working in a legal environment, dealing with insurance matters, contract / commercial negotiations in the context of 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.

Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

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