Managing Counsel - Construction

Hindmarsh; North Sydney; On-site; AUD 230,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exclusive discounts at 400+ retailers

Flex Days and additional leave rewards

Birthday gift every year

Ongoing training and development

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Hindmarsh is seeking an experienced construction lawyer to join our Corporate team as Managing Counsel – Construction. The in‑house role signs off on tenders and contracts across ACT, NSW and SA, advising senior leadership and delivering practical commercial guidance.

You will lead contract negotiations, draft and negotiate head contracts, subcontracts and related agreements, and support project teams from pre‑contract to delivery, ensuring risk is managed and value is maximized.

Qualifications

• Admission as a Barrister or Solicitor in an Australian jurisdiction.
• 10+ years’ post‑admission experience in construction law (in‑house and commercial experience highly regarded).
• Strong experience with AS, GC21 and bespoke construction contracts.
• Familiarity with the ACT, NSW and SA regulatory environment incl. Design and Building Practitioners Act and Security of Payment legislation.
• Experience leading lawyers or coordinating multiple external advisers.
• Understanding of project controls, programming and cost management.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, commercially practical advice for non‑legal colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Leading all legal and commercial inputs into tenders, EOIs and bid submissions, and owning the sign‑off process end to end.
• Advising on procurement strategy, contract structuring and risk allocation.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating head contracts, subcontracts, consultancy agreements and side deeds (AS, GC21 and bespoke forms).
• Negotiating key commercial terms including programme, payment, variations, provisional sums, liability caps and step‑in rights.
• Leading or co‑leading contract negotiations directly with clients and their representatives.
• Developing and maintaining standard contract templates, playbooks and risk frameworks.
• Handover from pre‑contract to delivery and supporting project teams to implement deals.

Education

Admission as a Barrister or Solicitor in an Australian jurisdiction

Job description

Hindmarsh is seeking an experienced construction lawyer to join our Corporate team as Managing Counsel – Construction. Reporting to the General Counsel, you’ll own legal and commercial sign-off on tenders and bids, negotiate head contracts directly with clients, and support project teams through delivery across our ACT, NSW and SA operations.

This is a commercially focused in‑house role that covers both our work‑winning function and all of our live projects. You’ll work closely with business development, estimating and project teams, and advise the senior leadership team directly.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will be responsible for:

• Leading all legal and commercial inputs into tenders, EOIs and bid submissions, and owning the sign‑off process end to end
• Working with business development, work win, estimating and project teams to shape bid strategy and identify risk early
• Advising on procurement strategy, contract structuring and risk allocation
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating head contracts, subcontracts, consultancy agreements and side deeds (AS, GC21 and bespoke forms)
• Negotiating key commercial terms, including programme, payment, variations, provisional sums, liability caps and step‑in rights
• Leading or co‑leading contract negotiations directly with clients and their representatives
• Developing and maintaining standard contract templates, playbooks and risk frameworks
• Leading the handover from pre‑contract to delivery, then supporting project teams to put the deal into practice
• Giving project teams day‑to‑day advice on contract administration, risk management and dispute avoidance
• Managing external counsel on complex or high‑value matters, and training commercial and project teams

We are looking for team members who have:

• Admission as a Barrister or Solicitor in an Australian jurisdiction
• 10+ years’ post‑admission experience in construction law (in‑house and commercial experience highly regarded)
• Strong experience with AS, GC21 and bespoke construction contracts
• Familiarity with the ACT, NSW and SA regulatory environment, including the Design and Building Practitioners Act and Security of Payment legislation
• Experience leading lawyers or coordinating multiple external advisers
• An understanding of project controls, programming and cost management
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• The ability to turn complex legal issues into clear, commercially practical advice for people outside the legal team
• The ability to work on your own and manage competing priorities across multiple bids and projects

Build more than projects. Build your future with Hindmarsh.

At Hindmarsh, you’ll join a team known for delivering quality projects and creating a workplace where people feel supported, valued and empowered to grow. We combine the strength of a respected national business with a collaborative, people‑first culture where you’re more than just a number.

Along with meaningful work and career development opportunities, you’ll enjoy:

• Exclusive discounts at 400+ retailers
• Flex Days and additional leave rewards
• A birthday gift every year
• Ongoing training and development
• Wellbeing initiatives that support you inside and outside work

Please reach out to our internal recruitment team directly to have a chat about how Hindmarsh can support your career goals.