Senior Legal Counsel

Bristow Group; Laurencekirk; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global aviation services provider is seeking a progressive legal professional in Laurencekirk, Scotland, to serve as a primary liaison and legal counsel. This role involves ensuring compliance with legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements while managing labor, contract negotiations, and disputes. Ideal candidates should possess a Law Degree, be a qualified solicitor, and have substantial legal experience. The position requires strong communication skills, confidence, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with occasional global travel.

Benefits

Equal Opportunity Employer

Military-Friendly Employer

Disability Confident Employer

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of legal experience and global exposure.
• Previous work as a solicitor for a reputable UK City or regional law firm.
• Labor/Employment experience is essential.
• Contracts negotiation expertise is essential.
• Litigation/Disputes expertise is essential.
• Experience in both aviation and oil and gas law is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full contract lifecycle including review and negotiation.
• Advise HR on employee-related issues and manage tribunal proceedings.
• Provide legal advice on disputes in the UK and European regions.
• Manage the corporate governance of Bristow's subsidiaries.
• Support legal standards in aircraft and engine movements.

Skills

High standard of work and accuracy

Confidence to work independently

First class commercial awareness

Ability to work collaboratively

Promotes tolerance and inclusion

Driving licence

Education

Law Degree (2:1 or above)

Qualified English or Scottish Solicitor

Job description

Job Description

A progressive legal professional who serves as a primary liaison and legal counsel, working very closely with the Legal team responsible for the Business Units covering Bristow’s Global Operations outside North America (covering Europe, Africa, Australia and other international jurisdictions). This role involves collaborating with group with key commercial colleagues across the UK and Europe, to ensure stringent compliance with all legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements. Key responsibilities include playing a vital, proactive role in managing labour and employment matters, disputes and/or litigation, corporate secretary/governance work, contract negotiations and limited global Fleet support. Certain responsibilities may extend to supporting the operations of the wider Bristow group.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee the full contract lifecycle:

• Review of Contract T&Cs
• Negotiation and finalisation of those T&Cs
• Building and maintaining key relationships with various departments who own such contracts, and the counterparties for the contracts

Employment issues and disputes:

• Advising HR and Operations teams on handling and resolution of employee-related issues
• Liaising between HR team, Operations and external legal advisers on conduct of tribunal proceedings

General disputes:

• Advising directors and their immediate reports on all issues and disputes that may arise in respect of the UK and European regions, and managing external legal advisors

Corporate Secretary:

• Managing Bristow’s subsidiaries primarily based or managing assets in the UK and Europe

Aircraft and Engine Movements:

• Providing necessary support with regards to any movements or swaps of aircraft or engines to meet Bristow’s legal standards, and liaising with outside counsel on such transactions

Liaison with external legal advisers:

• Liaising with external legal advisers when necessary, whilst still keeping external legal spend under tight control and in compliance with the Outside Counsel Billing Guidelines
• Establishing local country-specific requirements and influences as quickly and cost-effectively as possible

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications:

• Law Degree (2:1 or above)
• Qualified English or Scottish Solicitor
• 5-10 years legal experience and global exposure

Experience:

• Previous work as solicitor for reputable (Top 100) UK City or regional law firm
• Labor/Employment experience essential
• Contracts negotiation expertise essential
• Litigation/ Disputes expertise essential
• Experience of both aviation and oil and gas law will be ideal but experience of at least one is essential
• Additional Property or Corporate Secretary experience helpful but not pre-requisite
• Some time spent ‘in-house’ helpful but not pre-requisite
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to influence employees and managers at all levels in the organization
• Strong business and operational acumen

Skills:

• Maintains a high standard of work and ensures accuracy
• Must have the confidence and ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment
• Must be willing to travel globally, including to locations such as the UK, Netherlands and Ireland
• Must be able to demonstrate first class commercial awareness
• Works collaboratively within a team; ability and willingness to adapt to changing business demands.
• Promotes tolerance and inclusion among diverse groups and recognition of multiple views
• Maintains confidentiality, and communicates truthfully, respectfully, openly and honestly with others
• Sets and achieves goals; Works to achieve the standards of excellence identified by management
• Demonstrates a willingness to excel and be proficient in the position
• Driving licence essential

Equal Opportunities

Bristow Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran/ex-military status.

Military-Friendly

As a Military-Friendly employer, we are dedicated to providing meaningful employment opportunities for military veterans. This commitment is embodied by our Managed Military Pathway Programme and our Silver Award under the Armed Forces Covenant, which collectively demonstrate our support for veterans and reservists as they transition to civilian careers.

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and take pride in creating and maintaining environments that are inclusive and respectful. As well as offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum advertised requirements, we also invite applicants to advise us of any reasonable adjustments, at any stage of the application or hiring process, by contacting [e-mail]