In-House Legal Counsel

Harwell Consulting; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Harwell Consulting is seeking an in‑house lawyer to support its Queensland operations. You’ll be the go‑to adviser on head contracts, subcontracts and consultant agreements across commercial, residential, health, civil and industrial work, with hands‑on involvement close to live projects.

Your advice shapes decisions on site and in negotiations, you’ll review terms, manage risks, handle disputes and guide project teams to meet tender deadlines and contractual obligations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years negotiating and managing head contracts in construction or property law.
• Hands-on experience with D&C and construct-only contracts under AS4000/AS4902 and bespoke principal forms.
• Experience managing contractual claims and commercial disputes on construction projects.
• Experience with financier side deeds or lending documents on $50M+ projects.
• Clear advice that project teams can act on under tender and site deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Advise project, commercial and team leaders on head contracts, subcontracts and consultant agreements.
• Review, negotiate and finalise contract terms and conditions.
• Prepare departures tables on priority tenders and draft financier side deeds.
• Flag commercial risk and monitor contract obligations on site and in planning.
• Manage disputes and determine when external lawyers should be engaged.
• Provide practical, on-site guidance shaping negotiations and project decisions.

Skills

Head contracts

AS4000/AS4902

Contractual claims

Financier deeds

Tender deadlines

Job description

A well-established national builder with a strong Queensland presence is looking for an in-house lawyer to join its legal function. The business delivers a large, varied pipeline across commercial, residential, health, civil and industrial work, and is known for long-term client relationships.

The role

You’ll be the go-to adviser for project, commercial and team leaders on head contracts, subcontracts and consultant agreements. You’ll review and negotiate contract terms, prepare departures tables on priority tenders, draft financier side deeds, flag commercial risk, and help project teams stay on top of their contract obligations. When disputes arise, you’ll help manage them and decide when external lawyers add value.

This is a commercial, hands‑on role close to live projects. Your advice shapes real decisions on site and in negotiations.

What you bring

• 10+ years negotiating and managing head contracts, gained in a construction or property-focused law firm, in-house at a builder or developer, or in construction and property finance.
• Hands‑on experience with D&C and construct-only contracts under AS4000, AS4902 and bespoke principal forms.
• Experience managing contractual claims and commercial disputes on construction projects.
• Experience with financier side deeds or lending documentation on $50M+ projects is highly regarded.
• Clear advice that project teams can act on under tender and site deadlines.