Front-End Contracts Lawyer — Renewable Energy

Elecnor Australia; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Ongoing professional development

Competitive salary packaging

Job summary

Elecnor Australia is seeking an In-House Legal Counsel to support our renewable energy projects. You will provide commercially focused legal advice, draft and negotiate project contracts, and manage legal risk across tenders and procurement phases.

You will work with project teams to optimise contract terms, ensure compliance with construction laws and security of payment legislation, and coordinate with external counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws or JD and admission to practice in relevant jurisdiction.
• 2–3 years PQE, ideally in-house in construction/engineering or related private practice.
• Experience in corporate, regulatory or commercial legal environment.
• Experience managing external counsel and legal budgets.
• Strong front-end contract drafting and negotiation experience.
• Knowledge of construction law, security of payment legislation, commercial contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with standard form construction contracts (AS4000) and bespoke amendments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a business-minded approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for non-legal audiences.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, business-minded legal advice to project teams during tender and procurement phases.
• Advise on mitigating legal risks, optimising contract terms, and aligning project strategies with legal considerations.
• Identify and evaluate legal risks in construction operations and supply chain processes.
• Create briefing documents on complex contract terms for non-legal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with construction regulations, security of payment legislation, and internal policies.
• Guide internal teams on contract administration and minor dispute resolution to minimise risks.
• Manage external counsel relationships and coordinate engagement of external experts when needed.
• Oversee cost-effective management of external legal resources and budgets.
• Prepare and present reports on legal risks, contract deviations, and decisions to leadership.
• Assist in developing training programs for contract administration, compliance, and risk management.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal advice

Risk management

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or JD

Tools

AS4000 contracts

Job description

Elecnor Australia is seeking an In-House Legal Counsel to support our renewable energy projects. You will provide commercially focused legal advice, draft and negotiate project contracts, and manage legal risk across tenders and procurement phases.

You will work with project teams to optimise contract terms, ensure compliance with construction laws and security of payment legislation, and coordinate with external counsel as needed.