Legal Counsel, Construction, UK and Ireland

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Job ID: R0078585

Date Posted: 2025-03-17

Company Name: HITACHI ENERGY UK LIMITED

Profession (Job Category): Legal, Compliance & Audit

Job Schedule: Full time

Remote: Yes

Job Description:

The opportunity

By 2050, the energy need will have increased by 50% compared to today, and HVDC is a prerequisite to meet this demand in a greener, smarter, and more sustainable way. Both the HVDC market and the target for our new HVDC quality solutions and products are growing.

To be able to perform all the upcoming and challenging projects we have in front of us, we need to strengthen our team with an additional opening for an experienced and high-calibre transactional Legal Counsel (4/5 years + PQE) with a proven track record in major construction and engineering projects, to play an active part in the energy transition and contribute to advancing a sustainable energy future for all.

The successful candidate will be based in Birmingham, United Kingdom (mainly working remotely) and be part of the growing team supporting the Grid Integration business unit for UK & Ireland.

You will provide advice and be part of the project teams on legal and integrity matters particularly in relation to high value complex tenders and projects, including High Voltage Direct Current Interconnectors, offshore projects, onshore substations and grid and power quality solutions. You will draft and negotiate EPC agreements to ensure full compliance with Hitachi Group directives and apply your legal experience to represent our interests, supported by the Hitachi Group risk management governance.

As a member of the UK & European legal team, you will be integrated into the global Hitachi Energy legal counsel network and will collaborate on a case-by-case basis with international colleagues on cross-jurisdictional projects sharing experiences and knowledge.

Your background

• Your personal qualities are vital for success! You are a good team player, structured, open-minded, and communicative.
• Experience in the construction & energy projects sectors and be proficient in drafting, commenting on and negotiating tenders and contractual agreements for complex national and international projects.
• Drafting and negotiating standard forms of construction and EPC contracts, particularly NEC and with preferable experience with FIDIC, but will also be confident in navigating and managing bespoke EP agreements.
• Developed effective legal strategies, mitigation actions and practical solutions in support of business activities.
• Reviewed RFQs/ITTs from a legal perspective and input into tender preparation, risks identification, negotiation of contracts, framework agreements and consortium agreements.
• Supported project teams during sales, execution and warranty phases and contributed to early dispute avoidance and conflict management, liaised where necessary, with external law firms.
• Provided legal training and awareness, including training on contract negotiation.
• University degree in applicable area, i.e. Law degree.

Please note we are unable to provide visa support on this position.

More about us

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus scheme
• Company car allowance
• Flexible working time
• 25 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Private medical care
• Annual salary review
• Fantastic career possibilities within Hitachi Energy both within UK and globally
• Diversified company with over 70+ nationalities