Legal Counsel

Sacyr Vallehermoso Participaciones Mobiliarias SL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacyr UK & Ireland seeks a Legal Counsel to provide commercially focused legal support for UK & Ireland infrastructure projects. The role involves negotiating contracts, advising on risk, and managing disputes across major projects, with close collaboration with internal teams and external advisers.

The successful candidate will have substantial construction law experience, be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, and be willing to work on-site at the London office, with travel as required.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK.
• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales or equivalent qualification.
• 5–10 years' experience in construction/infrastructure, in-house or law firm.
• Experience in PPP, concessions, water infrastructure and major projects.
• Strong drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction and commercial contracts.
• Practical knowledge of NEC contracts.
• Experience supporting large infrastructure projects and disputes.
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders and manage external advisers.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, pragmatic legal advice on UK & Ireland construction projects.
• Review, draft and negotiate construction contracts and related documents.
• Advise on procurement strategy and risk allocation.
• Support contract administration, change control, claims management and dispute avoidance/resolution.
• Manage complex claims and disputes including adjudication and arbitration.
• Coordinate with external counsel to develop dispute strategies and submissions.
• Deliver training on legal matters and maintain knowledge resources.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract negotiation

NEC contracts

Dispute strategy

Stakeholder management

Commercial judgment

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

We are a global group, listed in the Ibex 35, Spain's stock market index. We have activities in more than 15 countries on four continents, where we undertake innovative, high-value projects. We put our talent to work at the service of progress, and we take on any new projects as a challenge, with diligence and passion.

As a Legal Counsel, you’ll play a pivotal role within our Central Team in London, supporting projects across the UK and Ireland. Join our dynamic team and make a real difference!

The Legal Counsel will provide practical, commercially focused legal support to Sacyr’s UK & Ireland operations, with particular emphasis on major infrastructure, construction and engineering projects.

The role will act as a trusted adviser to project teams and senior management, supporting contract negotiation, risk management, dispute avoidance and legal compliance across the full project lifecycle. The postholder will work closely with colleagues in the UK, Ireland and Madrid.

About Us:

At Sacyr UK and Ireland, we’re passionate about creating a better world through our projects. As a Legal Counsel, you’ll play a crucial role in our team. Our workplace is inclusive, diverse, and designed for everyone to thrive. We don’t just say it – we live it. We’re proud to have been recognised as a Sunday Times Top 100 Employer for three consecutive years (2024, 2025 and 2026), as well as being accredited as a Living Wage and Disability Confident employer.

About you:

If your values align with ours and you are passionate about being part of our team read on! Our team are professional, great communicators, adaptable, full of integrity and generally a fabulous bunch. If this sounds like you and you can demonstrate the required skills and experience, we want to hear from you.

Our Benefits:

• Inclusive work environment, Sunday Times Top 100 Employer for 3 consecutive years
• 34 days’ annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance – 4x annual salary
• Pension scheme (details above)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers – eye tests and glasses where required, including safety eyewear
• Annual health checks with Randox Health, including half-yearly check-ins
• Enhanced annual leave
• Company-funded language lessons – Spanish/English
• Company-funded training: training, certifications, and memberships in accredited bodies related to the position
• Referral Scheme
• Lighthouse Club membership
• Tech purchase scheme
• Discount shopping vouchers
• Wellness voucher programme
• Opportunity for additional professional development

Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide timely, pragmatic legal advice on construction, infrastructure and engineering projects across the UK and Ireland.
• Review, draft and negotiate construction contracts, subcontracts, consultancy appointments, framework agreements and related commercial documents.
• Advise on procurement strategy, contractual risk allocation and the interpretation of contractual obligations.
• Support project teams with contract administration, change control, claims management, dispute avoidance and dispute resolution.
• Manage and provide strategic legal support in relation to construction claims and disputes of all types, including the preparation, conduct and resolution of adjudication proceedings, arbitration proceedings, mediation, litigation and other formal or alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Work closely with project teams and external counsel to develop and implement dispute strategies, prepare submissions and evidence, protect the company’s contractual position and manage associated legal, commercial and procedural risks.
• Provide specialist advice on NEC contracts and other forms commonly used across major infrastructure projects.
• Partner with senior leaders and operational teams to identify legal risk early and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Instruct and manage external legal advisers where specialist support is required, ensuring effective scope and cost control.
• Support compliance with applicable UK and Irish legal and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate effective governance, communication and reporting between the UK & Ireland business and Group Legal in Madrid.
• Advise on corporate, insurance and regulatory matters relevant to the UK & Ireland operations, where required.
• Develop and deliver legal awareness and contract management training for leaders and project teams.
• Maintain appropriate legal records, precedents and knowledge resources.
• Provide recommendations for improving service delivery, user experience, and system stability.

Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK.
• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales, or an equivalent professionally recognised legal qualification suitable for the role.
• Substantial legal experience (5–10 years) gained in-house and/or within a recognised law firm within a construction/infrastructure environment.
• Demonstrable experience in the construction, PPP, concessions and water infrastructure sectors.
• Experience in the transport, healthcare or other major public infrastructure sectors.
• Strong experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction and commercial contracts.
• Practical working knowledge of NEC contracts.
• Experience supporting major infrastructure, civil engineering or complex construction projects.
• Demonstrable experience in managing complex construction and engineering claims and disputes, including adjudication proceedings and arbitration, gained either in-house or within a recognised law firm.
• Strong practical knowledge of UK construction dispute resolution, including statutory and contractual adjudication, and experience in developing dispute strategy, preparing submissions and evidence, and managing external counsel.
• Experience liaising with external legal advisers to support legal matters in Ireland.
• Strong commercial judgement, negotiation skills and the confidence to advise and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise competing demands and provide clear, solutions-focused advice.
• Willingness to work on-site at our London office.
• Willingness to travel regularly.
• Commercially minded and pragmatic, with the ability to balance legal risk and operational priorities.
• Credible and confident when working with senior leaders, project directors and external advisers.
• Collaborative, culturally aware and effective across international teams.
• Clear communicator who can translate complex legal issues into practical business guidance.
• Proactive, organised and comfortable operating in a growing business environment.
• Committed to high standards of integrity, governance and professional judgement.

In return, you will be working on a high profile 'once in a lifetime' project where you will be supported by a collaborative team in a learning environment. We offer local and global career opportunities and whilst this project is based in London our teams are truly global!

Application Process:

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