Legal Advisor - Contracts

WSP USA; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP UK is seeking an experienced solicitor to join its in-house legal team. You will work with senior internal stakeholders to support growth, manage legal and commercial risk, and advise on a wide range of construction and engineering matters and complex contracting arrangements.

The role requires a solicitor qualified in England & Wales with PQE in contract reviews, ideally with in-house experience in engineering consultancy or contracting.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with post-qualification experience in contract reviews for engineering/construction
• Experience in-house at an engineering consultancy or contractor is preferable
• Familiarity with standard form contracts and complex contracting arrangements would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• Provide timely and commercially focused legal advice to support business growth
• Review, negotiate and draft contractual documents including consultancy, project contracts, JV and teaming agreements, framework agreements, deeds and NDAs
• Support corporate governance in relation to contract reviews and bid approvals
• Advise on tender processes and bid documentation
• Collaborate with bid teams and project teams to deliver legal outputs and manage risk
• Deliver legal training and contribute to the legal know-how within the team

Skills

Contract review

Commercial advice

Stakeholder management

Drafting contracts

Legal risk assessment

Education

Qualified solicitor English & Wales

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms providing strategic advisory, engineering and design services to clients. WSP UK is currently recruiting an experienced solicitor to join it's thriving in-house legal team.

Within this role you will work in partnership with WSP’s business to support its growth, while managing legal and commercial risk. An ability to understand and advise on a wide range of construction and engineering related matters, including major procurements and projects involving complex contracting arrangements is key to this role. Experience of working in the sectors would be advantageous.

The role requires a self-starter who is confident working with senior internal stakeholders as well as external parties including clients, sub-consultants and their representatives.

A little more about your role…

• Supporting WSP's growth by providing timely and commercially focussed legal advice while embedding a culture of contractual risk management and compliance.

• Reviewing and negotiating contractual documentation including consultancy agreements, project contracts, joint venture and teaming agreements, framework agreements, collateral warranties, deeds of novation, reliance letters, non-disclosure agreements, letters of intent, and sub-consultancy agreements

• Assisting with corporate governance in relation to contract reviews and approvals to bid for work or enter into contracts

• Providing guidance on tender processes and bid documentation

• Advising the business on legal and contractual matters as projects are delivered

• Liaising with internal bid teams and project teams, commercial managers and other operational, technical and support staff.

• Updating the business on relevant legal developments, delivering legal training

• Contributing to the legal ‘know-how’ within the Legal team

• Working collaboratively with colleagues and participating in a supportive and professional team environment

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

The successful candidate will be a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with relevant post qualification experience of reviewing and advising on contractual matters within the engineering, construction or advisory sector. Experience of being in-house at an engineering consultancy or a contractor is preferable. Experience of relevant standard form contracts and complex contracting arrangements is also desirable.

In addition to the above, the successful candidate must also be able to demonstrate:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

• Construction sector experience or interest

• Confidently manages day-to-day tasks under supervision, contributing their developing expertise to the legal team.

• Excellent communication skills, written and oral

• The ability to work without supervision under pressure and meet deadlines and to seek assistance / advice when required

• A proactive approach with the ability to prioritise between competing business demands

• Strong inter-personal and collaborative skills

• Previous in-house experience at an engineering consultancy or contractor is preferred.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the

best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

#LI-SB1

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.