Legal Counsel - Construction

AWE Plc; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Pension scheme

Maternity/Paternity leave

Career development funding

Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance 4x salary

Discounts

Special leave for volunteering

Job summary

AWE plc in the Reading area seeks an experienced Legal Counsel - Construction to provide strategic non-contentious legal support on high-value infrastructure projects and NEC contracts. You will work closely with senior leaders, project teams and external partners to shape legal strategy and manage risk across the project lifecycle.

This role offers hybrid working, with three days on-site in a long week and two days in a shorter week, and a competitive package reflecting expertise in

Qualifications

• Admitted as a solicitor or barrister in at least one UK jurisdiction.
• Expertise in reviewing, drafting, negotiating and providing ongoing legal support on complex construction contracts using NEC.
• Experience in managing legal risks on large-scale projects and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to provide strategic advice to teams and executives on planning complex future projects and to keep the business updated on construction law changes.

Skills

NEC contracts

Legal risk management

Strategic advisory

Construction law

Education

Solicitor/Barrister (UK)

Job description

AWE is an organisation with a unique and vital purpose: protecting the UK through world-class nuclear science and technology. By joining our team as a Legal Counsel - Construction, you'll provide strategic legal support on complex, high-value projects that are critical to the nation's future.

We are seeking an experienced non-contentious construction lawyer at a pivotal time as we deliver one of the UK's most significant infrastructure and construction programmes. Working closely with senior leaders, project teams, commercial professionals and external partners, you will advise on the negotiation and management of NEC contracts, help shape the legal strategy for major capital programmes, and ensure legal risks are effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle.

This is an opportunity to apply your construction law expertise in a highly collaborative environment, influencing key business decisions and supporting the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects at scale.

Location: AWE is a multi-site business operating in the Reading area. We offer hybrid working, a combination of home and onsite office presence.

Package: £63,270 - £98,000 for a suitably experienced Legal Counsel with expertise in the areas required for this role.

Working Pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. This role is eligible for hybrid working, meaning employees typically spend three days on site in a long week and two days on site in a short week. We support flexible working where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, so please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working arrangement when you apply.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

We are looking for a Legal Counsel, a non-contentious construction lawyer with at least 6-year PQE in private practice or in-house of complex construction and infrastructure projects, and with good knowledge of NEC.

You will be joining the business as the UK government enables us to make a significant investment in our infrastructure through our Infrastructure Programme Delivery team (IPD). This includes two major areas - the Future Materials Campus (FMC), a series of facilities needed to maintain the UK's Continuous at Sea Deterrent for years to come, and Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP), which covers upgrades to our non-fissile facilities.

For this role we need you:

• to be currently admitted as a solicitor or barrister in at least one UK jurisdiction.

• to have expertise in reviewing, drafting, negotiating and providing on-going legal support on complex construction contracts using NEC.

• to be experienced in managing legal risks on large-scale projects and in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

• to be able to provide strategic advice to AWE teams and executives in planning complex future projects.

• to be willing to keep the business updated on relevant changes in construction law and legislation.

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.