Legal Counsel - Australia

Carlyle Kingswood Global; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CKG Search's client, a globally recognised green technology leader, seeks a legally qualified partner to support commercial, procurement and delivery teams across Australia and New Zealand. The role focuses on front-end construction contracting, handling downstream procurement, minor works and consultancy agreements in-house, and supporting major EPC and service agreements alongside external counsel.

The role is full-time with fully flexible working; Australian practising certificate is

Qualifications

• Law degree and Australian Practising Certificate (or eligibility).
• 4–6 years' PQE in front-end construction or projects law.
• Experience in private practice at top-tier or national firm preferred.
• Exposure to renewable energy projects is advantageous.
• Clear communicator with ability to translate complex issues for non-legal stakeholders.
• Adaptable, commercial and able to work independently in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate downstream procurement contracts, subcontracts, minor works, services and consultancy agreements.
• Support negotiation of EPC, turbine supply and long-term service agreements with external counsel.
• Advise contract managers on clause interpretation, security of payment and claims.
• Identify and manage contractual risk across a diverse project portfolio.
• Help build templates, processes and ways of working for a growing legal function.
• Manage external counsel and deliver contract training to the business.

Skills

Front-end construction

Commercial contracts

Procurement contracts

Contract negotiations

Risk management

Legal advisory

Contract drafting

Education

Law degree

Australian Practising Certificate (or eligible)

Job description

CKG Search has been engaged by a globally recognised green technology leader with a rapidly growing Australian portfolio of renewable and storage projects.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Legal, you will be the go-to legal partner for commercial, procurement and delivery teams across Australia and New Zealand. Your focus will be front-end construction contracting: handling downstream procurement, minor works and consultancy agreements in-house, and supporting major EPC and service agreements alongside external counsel.

On Offer

• A newly created role with real scope to shape how legal supports a growing Australian business
• Exposure to cutting-edge wind, storage and hybrid technology on nationally significant projects
• Optional involvement in international projects across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and beyond
• Fully flexible working and genuine work-life balance in a flat, collaborative team

The role is full-time with fully flexible working, and our client is open to discussing reasonable adjustments to support your success.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate downstream procurement contracts, subcontracts, minor works, services and consultancy agreements
• Support negotiation of EPC, turbine supply and long-term service agreements alongside external counsel
• Advise contract managers on clause interpretation, security of payment and claims
• Identify and manage contractual risk across a diverse project portfolio
• Help build templates, processes and ways of working for a growing legal function
• Manage external counsel and deliver contract training to the business

Requirements

• Law degree and an Australian Practising Certificate (or eligibility)
• 4 to 6 years' PQE in front-end construction or projects law
• Ideally gained in private practice at a top tier or national firm; moving directly from private practice is welcome
• Exposure to renewable energy projects is advantageous, but not essential
• Clear communicator, able to translate complex issues for non-legal stakeholders
• Adaptable, commercial and practical, able to work independently in a fast-moving environment

If you're unsure whether your experience meets these requirements, but believe you offer relevant, comparable or transferable experience, please reach out to explore your suitability.

This role suits a front-end construction lawyer ready to step in-house and take real ownership of their work. Australia's energy transition is being built now, so here is your chance to be the lawyer who helps build it.