Senior Associate, High-Stakes Commercial Litigation (Hybrid)

Charterhouse Partnership; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Salary packaging / Novated leasing

Parental leave

Income protection

Career development & mentorship

Job summary

KBR in Australia is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to lead the Australian Legal team, partnering with senior business leaders on defence and national security projects. You will provide trusted, commercial legal guidance and manage complex, high‑value matters from a legal perspective.

This permanent, full‑time role is based in Australia with a focus on governance, compliance and strategic advisory across major bids and contracts. Flexible working is offered.

Qualifications

• Must be admitted as Australian legal practitioner with current practising certificate.
• Extensive post‑qualification, including in‑house experience.
• Deep expertise in Australian Government contracting and regulatory compliance.
• Experience advising on complex negotiations, joint ventures, disputes and strategic projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of legal services across Australian operations, supporting Defence projects.
• Provide strategic legal advice on high‑risk and critical matters with commercial considerations.
• Draft, negotiate, review and approve complex government and quasi‑government contracts.
• Guide contracting strategy, negotiations and risk allocation on major bids and tenders.
• Advise on Australian Government contracting frameworks and procurement models.
• Support strategic transactions including joint ventures and alliances.
• Oversee disputes, claims and investigations with external counsel as needed.
• Drive policy development, governance, processes and templates.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Legal writing & communication

Judgement & integrity

Leadership & mentorship

Education

Admission as Australian legal practitioner

Job description

Senior Legal Counsel

Posted 15 days ago

Job Description

Title:
Senior Legal Counsel
At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value‑added services, and long‑term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin‑off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest‑priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin‑off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

At KBR - We do things that matter. We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 29 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value‑added services, and long‑term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Think.KBR.com

KBR in Australia

With over 65 years working on some of Australia's largest and most complex projects, KBR has unmatched experience supporting the nation's critical infrastructure, energy transition and national security priorities. KBR has around 2,000 employees throughout Australia, who are focused on delivering innovative technology and engineering solutions for a safer, more secure and sustainable future.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

The Opportunity:

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role within KBR's Australian Legal team, partnering with senior business leaders to shape outcomes across some of Australia's most significant Defence projects.

As Senior Legal Counsel (Australia), you will combine strategic legal leadership with hands‑on involvement in complex, high‑value and high‑risk matters. You'll provide trusted commercial advice, manage critical legal issues, and help the business navigate an evolving regulatory and contractual landscape with confidence.

Working closely with the Vice President, Legal, you will help drive legal strategy, strengthen governance and legal capability, and embed practical, commercially focused legal solutions that enable business success. This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to influence key decisions, build strong stakeholder relationships, and make a meaningful contribution to KBR's continued growth and delivery of nationally important projects.

This is a permanent full‑time opportunity and can be based in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

The successful candidate must be able to hold an Australian Government Baseline security clearance or higher.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of legal services across KBR's Australian operations, supporting Defence projects.
• Provide strategic legal advice on complex, high‑risk and business‑critical matters, balancing legal risk with commercial outcomes.
• Lead the drafting, negotiation, review and approval of complex commercial, government and quasi‑government contracts.
• Partner with business leaders on major bids and tenders, providing advice on contracting strategy, negotiations and risk allocation.
• Advise on Australian Government contracting and procurement frameworks, including fixed‑price and cost‑reimbursable contracts.
• Support strategic transactions, including joint ventures, alliances and other commercial partnerships.
• Oversee disputes, claims and investigations, coordinating with external legal counsel where required.
• Drive continuous improvement through the development of legal policies, processes, templates and governance frameworks.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across operational, commercial and corporate functions.
• Manage allocated legal budgets, including external legal spend, in line with KBR governance and delegation requirements.

As the ideal candidate you will bring:

• Admission as an Australian legal practitioner with a current practising certificate.
• Extensive post‑qualification experience, including significant in‑house legal experience.
• Deep expertise in Australian Government contracting, commercial agreements and regulatory compliance.
• Experience advising on complex commercial negotiations, joint ventures, disputes and strategic projects.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to provide pragmatic, business‑focused legal advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and partner with senior executives and business leaders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical business advice.
• Sound judgement, high professional integrity and the ability to navigate competing legal, commercial and stakeholder priorities.
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentoring others, building capability and continuously improving legal service delivery.

The successful candidate will be required to hold and maintain an active Australian Baseline Security Clearance.

What we will offer you:

• A workplace culture certified as a Great Place To Work
• Flexible working
• Competitive salary (including annual reviews)
• Paid parental leave
• Income protection
• Corporate rewards
• Salary packaging / Novated leasing
• Employee stock purchase plans
• Flu shots, skin checks and discounted private health insurance
• Career development: Online learning, mentorship and career pathways

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.