Legal Advisor - Contracts in Leeds

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WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms providing strategic advisory, engineering and design services to clients. WSP UK is currently recruiting an experienced solicitor to support several of its highest growth markets, environmental services including mining and other earth related services. Within this role you will work closely with the Earth, Environment, Sustainability Advisory and Mining businesses to support the growth of these businesses, while managing the legal and commercial risks associated with working in these sectors.

This will include supporting the management of contractual and commercial risk predominantly in relation to engineering consultancy contracts through the provision of commercially oriented and solution focussed legal advice. An ability to understand and be able to advise on a wide range of construction and engineering related matters, including major procurements and projects involving complex contracting arrangements and contractual issues, including joint ventures is key to this role. Experience of working in the environmental and/or earth services, including mining sectors would be advantageous.

The role requires a self-starter who is confident working with senior internal stakeholders as well as external parties including clients, sub-consultants and their representatives.

A little more about your role…

• Working closely with the Earth, Environment, Sustainability Advisory and Mining business teams to support the growth of the business line while embedding a culture of contractual and commercial risk management, mitigation and regulatory compliance.
• Reviewing and negotiating contractual documentation relevant to the earth, mining and environment sectors, including consultancy agreements, project contracts, joint venture and teaming agreements, framework agreements, collateral warranties, deeds of novation, reliance letters, non-disclosure agreements, letters of intent, and sub-consultancy agreements.
• Carrying out legal reviews with the aim of minimising any impact on WSP’s working capital and proactively seeking the timely conclusion of contract negotiations.
• Ensuring that corporate governance is maintained in relation to contract reviews and approvals given to bid for work or enter into contracts.
• Providing advice and guidance on the tender process and bid documentation to identify and address risk and promote competition.
• Supporting and advising the business in the contract delivery phase to maximise revenue and minimise risk and support effective contract management.
• Liaising with internal business disciplines, bid teams, commercial and operations directors and other support functions including the finance team.
• Updating the business on relevant legal developments within the environmental and earth related space including from time to time delivering legal training.
• Contributing to the organisation and dissemination of legal ‘know-how’ within the WSP UK Legal team and contributing to the provision of ‘lessons learned’ feedback to the wider business.
• A team player who works collaboratively with colleagues at all times.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

The successful candidate will be a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with relevant post qualification experience of reviewing and advising on a wide range of contractual matters within the engineering and construction sector. Experience of being in-house at an engineering consultancy or a contractor is preferable. Experience of complex contracting arrangements including joint ventures is also desirable. The successful candidate will have the experience and competence to work autonomously whilst feeding their knowledge and experience into the wider legal team.

In addition to the above, the successful candidate must also be able to demonstrate:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Construction sector experience or interest.
• Confidently manages day-to-day tasks under supervision, contributing their developing expertise to the legal team.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
• The ability to work without supervision under pressure and meet deadlines and to seek assistance / advice when required.
• A proactive approach with the ability to prioritise between competing business demands.
• Strong inter-personal and collaborative skills.
• Previous in-house experience at an engineering consultancy or contractor is preferred.

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