Legal Counsel

Mitie; Olney; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading projects support firm in the UK is looking for a proactive junior legal counsel. The role involves supporting business units with legal needs related to construction contracts. Candidates should be qualified solicitors with exposure to project and construction law, preferably in the energy sector. Strong communication skills, a pragmatic approach, and proficiency in Microsoft Office are essential. This position offers a varied work environment, ideal for developing legal expertise in a dynamic setting.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with experience in construction and project law.
• Ability to provide concise and practical legal advice.
• Experience or willingness to work in the energy industry.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate construction contracts.
• Promote compliance with governance processes.
• Support legal training within the division.
• Build relationships to provide timely legal support.
• Manage external legal advisers and ensure quality advice.

Skills

Client service excellence

Good influencing skills

Communication skills

Multitasking ability

Initiative

Education

Professional qualification as a Solicitor

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

SharePoint

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a proactive junior legal counsel who is keen to learn and develop real hands-on experience in a varied work environment supporting the Projects business units with their day-to-day legal needs. A clear commercial approach, enthusiasm and a flexible and questioning attitude are the key requirements - as well as some commercial contract negotiation experience.

Main Duties

• Review new business opportunities, advise on and negotiate various forms of construction contracts, and identify and work with the business units to develop strategies to manage risks and mitigations.
• Promote compliance with Mitie's governance and approval processes.
• Support the development of and the rollout of legal training exercises within the division.
• Collaborate with other members of the legal team to support the development and implementation of strategy and policies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships to provide timely and commercial legal support.
• To provide swift support on other legal and commercial issues as they arise such as termination of contracts, payment issues and other formal and informal dispute related matters, working closely with, finance, commercial and operations directors within the business and taking the lead on legal decisions concerning those matters.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of a reliable, and comprehensive precedent bank to enable standard documents to be prepared, adapted and produced quickly.
• Assist with training colleagues in the project management and commercial team on contracting and procurement issues.
• Instructing and managing external legal advisers ensuring advice received is concise, constructive and commercially appropriate.

What we are looking for

Essential

• Professional qualification as a Solicitor
• Experience in projects and construction law, including familiarity with standard form construction contracts such as NEC and/or FIDIC, or other experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts. Experience of projects/construction work within the energy industry is desirable but a willingness to develop in this sector is essential.
• A commitment to excellence in client service with a pragmatic approach and the ability to give concise legal advice
• Good influencing and communication skills
• Ability to multitask, work well under pressure and to use own initiative
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and SharePoint

Desirable

• Experience of a fast paced in-house legal function
• Experience of instructing/managing external legal services providers
• Dispute resolution experience (although this is a predominantly non-contentious role)