Senior Legal Counsel

Ausenco; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Ausenco in Vancouver is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to support North American operations. You will negotiate, draft and review construction contracts, MSAs, NDAs, and other agreements, while mitigating risk for the business.

Reporting to the head of the North America legal team, you will advise on corporate, commercial, environmental, EPCM projects, liaise with external counsel, train staff, and contribute to pricing strategy and contract handovers across the region.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of post‑call experience in construction/corporate/commercial law.
• Experience in both national/international firms and in‑house in construction preferred.
• Understanding of EPCM projects and related commercial concepts.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft and review construction contracts and MSAs, NDAs, and other legal docs.
• Collaborate with global legal team to address multi‑jurisdictional issues.
• Coordinate with external counsel on litigation files and pleadings.
• Advise internal clients on corporate, commercial, environmental, construction, mining, employment, IP and securities law.
• Develop and provide training on legal topics and contract negotiation.
• Summarize legal and commercial requirements of contracts and participate in handover meetings.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal drafting

Analytical skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Education

Law degree; Canadian bar admission

Job description

Ausenco is a fast-growing company with big ideas. We redefine what’s possible in some of the world’s most complex projects and toughest environments. Delivering innovative, value-add consulting, project delivery, asset operations and maintenance solutions is what we do. From 26 offices in 15 countries, with projects in over 80 locations worldwide, we create sustainable outcomes for our people, clients, and communities.

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Legal Counsel to join our North American team. The role is based at our office in Vancouver. Reporting to the head of the Legal team in North America, you will provide support to the provision of legal services to all Ausenco business lines in North America. This role would suit someone looking to continue a challenging and rewarding legal career in the resources sector.

About The Role

• Negotiate, draft and review construction contracts and other legal documents, including MSAs, professional services agreements, NDAs while mitigating risks to the business.
• Collaborate with members of the global legal team to address multi-jurisdictional impacts of legislation and client agreements.
• Coordinate with external counsel on existing litigation files, including review and gathering of evidence, and support drafting of pleadings.
• Advise internal clients in all matters related to corporate, commercial, environmental, construction, mining, employment, intellectual property and securities law.
• Research and respond to general legal inquiries from the business that may relate to disputes and litigation, regulatory issues, privacy matters, and client complaints.
• Act as a business partner, providing legal orientation and back-office support to different business processes and negotiations.
• Develop and provide training to the business on various legal topics, including change management, anti-corruption, conflicts of interest, ethics, anti-slavery, competition law, contract negotiation and administration and other emerging issues.
• Prepare detailed recommendation for approval of contractual and commercial documentation and coordinate internal approval.
• Summarize legal and commercial requirements of executed contracts and participate in contract handover meetings with project team members.
• Actively support senior management by developing high quality innovative commercial proposals and pricing strategies.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to other members of the Legal and Commercial team on key legal issues.
• Such other legal department duties as assigned from time to time.

About You

• Legal degree and current bar admission in a Canadian province.
• Minimum 7 years of post‑call legal experience in construction/corporate/commercial law, preferably with both a top tier national or international law firm and as an in‑house lawyer in the construction industry.
• Experience in Employment, Intellectual Property, Privacy and Securities law will be a bonus.
• Solid understanding and background in legal and commercial concepts applicable to the engineering services and consulting businesses, including EPCM projects.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Strong emotional resilience, active listening skills and internal drive.
• Strong research, legal drafting, and analytical skills are a must.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team requiring strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Ability to meet the challenge of tight deadlines and working under pressure with a high volume of work across North America.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills along with a sense of humor, creativity and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to consistently deliver a high‑quality work product while remaining approachable.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with all levels of management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to redirect efforts and learn based on feedback from internal stakeholders.

We’re committed to a fair and human hiring process. All applications are reviewed by a member of our team and are not automatically screened or rejected by AI.

Why Ausenco?

We Support Individual Growth And Aim To Allow You To Work In a Way That Plays To Your Strengths. Beyond a Competitive Remuneration Package We Offer

Career advancement - Embark on a journey of continuous growth through technical training, mentorship initiatives, and networking opportunities

Holistic approach to wellness – Take a proactive approach to your overall wellbeing. Access to confidential counselling, information services and a benefits program that supports your health & wellness

Accessible leadership team – Work with highly reputable industry leaders who value your contribution.

Our people don’t settle for the status quo. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to help set a new standard in sustainability, we’ll help you find your place. This means working with you to develop a unique career path and skillset to match your ambition.

We’re proud of the work we do, and we do it within a culture that is open, honest, and cooperative. We have a history of attracting visionary people who embrace challenges and deliver creative solutions for every project, and your voice is an important part of the conversation.

As a global company we embrace and encourage diversity in its fullest sense – gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, experience, nationality, colour, language, religion, location, disability, education, skills, working styles and time availability. Our work environments are based on mutual trust and respect for the rights and opportunities of every individual.

Salary range: $145,000-$165,000

Salary is determined by factors such as qualifications, relevant years of experience, and prevailing market conditions for the specific role.

Due to the organizational impact and level of responsibility associated with this role, the successful candidate will be required to complete a comprehensive background check as part of our standard hiring process for senior level and/or -sensitive roles. The check will be conducted in compliance with applicable privacy and employment legislation.

Join us and work a better way.