Senior Legal Assistant - Architecture and Engineering Contracts

Building Design Partnership; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic and creative team as a Senior Legal Assistant in a prestigious design practice. This role offers the chance to provide vital legal support, ensuring seamless contract execution while working closely with the In-House Counsel. You will engage in contract review, legal drafting, and risk mitigation, all within a collaborative environment that values creativity and professional growth. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this forward-thinking firm is dedicated to crafting spaces that enhance the built environment. If you have a strong legal background and a passion for architecture and design, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Pension Allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Contribution towards Professional Subscriptions

Great Working Environment

Career Advancement Opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in legal support or project management.
• Strong understanding of contract law and legal terminology.
• Proven experience in contract review and drafting.

Responsibilities

• Review contracts for legal and commercial risks and propose amendments.
• Draft legal documents including NDAs and agreements.
• Provide guidance on contract-related matters and compliance.

Skills

Contract Review

Legal Drafting

Risk Mitigation

Legal Research

Communication Skills

Microsoft Office

Knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 PSC

Education

LLB

LPC/SQE

Degree/Certification in Contract Management

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe/PDF

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Assistant to join our small but impactful Legal team at our London office. The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience in working in architecture, engineering, or construction industry as a legal assistant or a project manager. Senior Legal Assistant will assist with contract review, legal drafting, risk mitigation and legal research.

About the role

You will play a pivotal role in providing legal support to the In-House Counsel, ensuring seamless contract execution across the company by scrutinising contracts for commercial, legal and insurance implications, you will assist with managing company's risks and securing future projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong legal background to work within a creative and professional setting in a prestigious architecture, engineering and design practice.

Main Responsibilities

• Contract Review and Analysis:Review professional service appointments, NDAs, collateral warranties, framework agreements, and novation agreements, identify legal and commercial risks, and propose amendments.
• Legal Documents Drafting:Draft legal documents, agreements, NDAs, collateral warranties, deeds of variation, notices, and letters.
• Contract Guidance and Support: Provide guidance and support to internal teams on contract-related matters, including contract interpretation, compliance, and appointment of supply chain.
• Contract Maintenance:Proactively review contracts, maintain standard contractual documentation, managing business templates, update progress spreadsheets.
• Legal Research:Conduct research on relevant legal issues and keep up to date with the latest legal developments.
• Collaboration and Best Practice:Develop good working relationships with colleagues and promote contract/compliance process best practice within the company.

About you

• Qualification: Minimum LLB. LPC/SQE, or degree/certification in Contract Management is beneficial but not essential.

• You must have a minimum of 3 years' solid experience in either:

• Legal support role within architecture, engineering, or construction industry, or
• Project/design management role within architecture, engineering, or construction industry, or
• Solid in-house legal experience within professional services (not private practice law firms).

Please note, this role does not lead to a solicitor's training contract or qualifying work experience (QWE) to become a solicitor.

• Proven experience in contract review and drafting.
• Strong understanding of contract law, legal terminology and contractual mechanisms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts to colleagues and external parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Awareness of the latest developments in the law.
• Able to follow instructions, procedures, policies and assimilate information quickly in a consistent manner.
• Knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 PSC desirable.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Adobe/PDF is essential.
• Ability to effectively prioritise workload, manage time efficiently, and remain highly organised.

• Collaborative and proactive in supporting other teams. Ability to interact professionally with internal and external contacts.
• Positive, enthusiastic and a strong team player.

How to apply

Please apply via our web site Vacancy details - BDP attaching a CV and a formal cover letter stating why you believe you are suitable for the position. Applications without the formal cover letter will not be considered. Applications with cover letters written by AI will be rejected. Please note, we use AI detection software.

About BDP

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that's built for good. For more than 60 years, we've been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From the start, we've been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we've brought to life.

We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan's Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

BDP offers

In return, BDP offers a great opportunity for your personal development with exposure to the full range of BDP's skills and expertise, as well as an attractive remuneration package that includes a competitive salary, flexible pension allowance, private medical insurance, contribution towards professional subscriptions, a great working environment and excellent prospects for career advancement.

BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policy.

BDP is an equal opportunities employer

No agency or third-party applications please.