Legal Counsel (Construction, Engineering & Disputes)

Changi Airports International Pte Ltd; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Changi Airport Group (CAG) is seeking a mid-level Legal Counsel to support the Construction, Engineering & Disputes practice in Singapore. You will handle tender and procurement matters, draft and negotiate critical contracts, and assist in managing disputes across major infrastructure projects, including Terminal 5.

Ideal candidates hold an LL.B with Singapore Bar admission and 5–10 years’ PQE in commercial contracting, projects or disputes, with strong drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• LL.B or equivalent with admission to the Singapore Bar.
• 5–10 years PQE in reputable law firm or in-house team.
• Experience in commercial contracting, projects, infrastructure, construction, procurement and/or dispute resolution.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills; ability to provide practical advice.

Responsibilities

• Advising on tenders, procurement, and project documentation.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction, consultancy, and maintenance contracts.
• Managing and resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, litigation, and arbitration.
• Supporting contract administration and advising on interpretation, claims, delays and variations.
• Working with external counsel on specialist matters and preparing instructions.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Projects & infrastructure

Procurement

Dispute resolution

Drafting & negotiation

Contract risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Education

LL.B or equivalent with Singapore Bar admission

Job description

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Title: Legal Counsel (Construction, Engineering & Disputes)

Requisition ID: 7186

Country: SG

Work Schedule: Non-Shift Work Schedule

Employment Type: Permanent

Description:

About Changi Airport Group (CAG)

Changi Airport Group operates in a unique in-house environment that blends private sector drive and initiative with a strong sense of public responsibility and mission. We are part of a highly regulated industry, operating within a complex ecosystem of commercial partners, government agencies, and Ministries. This dynamic environment makes for challenging, meaningful, and high-stakes legal work.

Our Legal & Compliance Team

The Legal & Compliance (L&C) team is a trusted business partner, providing insightful, practical, and timely legal advice to CAG and its management. We play a dual role: enabling the business to pursue opportunities with confidence, while safeguarding CAG’s long-term interests and reputation.

We value integrity, competence, teamwork, and collegiality. Our lawyers are deeply engaged with the business and thrive on raising standards together. Beyond the impact of our work, we believe in a positive and collaborative culture where people enjoy working with one another, not just within L&C but in the organization as a whole. At CAG L&C, the breadth of activities ensures there is never a dull day.

The Role

We are seeking a mid-level lawyer to join our team as Legal Counsel. You will work closely with our Changi East Development and Engineering & Development teams, supporting the procurement, delivery and administration of complex infrastructure projects, including the upcoming Terminal 5 development works. Terminal 5 is one of Singapore’s most significant infrastructure developments and will be a defining part of Changi Airport’s next chapter. This is an opportunity to be part of the team helping to deliver a tangible, iconic and nationally important part of Singapore’s future, while taking a practical and systems-wide approach to managing contractual legal risk across the project lifecycle.

The work can be demanding and high-pressure, given the scale, complexity and public importance of the projects we support. But it is also highly meaningful and intellectually engaging. You will be supported by a strong and collaborative team environment, with guidance from more experienced members of the Construction Legal Team, while taking ownership of matters appropriate to your experience and role level.

This role is suitable for a lawyer with a sound grounding in commercial contracts, projects or disputes who is interested in developing deeper expertise in building and construction law.

Your scope will include:

• Advising on tenders, procurement, and project documentation.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction, consultancy, and maintenance contracts, including reviewing and assessing potential risk exposure and amenability for acceptance or need for negotiation where business partners and/or tender bidders put forth caveats and qualifications to what are CAG’s standard terms and conditions for contracting, and assisting to develop, review and negotiate non-standard terms and conditions for entering into non-conventional business partnerships, for example those pertaining to collaborative contracting, innovation experiments, product reseller and/or revenue sharing agreements, service partnerships in foreign countries, new forms of business engagements and revenue/cost structuring, etc.
• Managing and resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, litigation, and/or arbitration.
• Supporting contract administration, including reviewing/drafting letters and advising project teams on issues such as contract interpretation, contractual claims, delays and variations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Working with external counsel and other advisers on matters requiring specialist support, including helping to prepare instructions, review advice and manage deliverables and costs.
• Developing templates, guidance materials and legal know-how, and supporting legal training for project and procurement teams.
• Acting as a proactive business partner to deliver solutions-oriented legal support in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• LL.B or equivalent from a reputable university, with admission to the Singapore Bar.
• 5–10 years’ PQE gained in a reputable law firm and/or in-house legal team. Candidates with a different level of experience may be considered where their experience and capabilities are relevant to the role.
• Experience in commercial contracting, projects, infrastructure, construction, procurement and/or dispute resolution.
• A sound foundation in contract law and the ability to identify, analyse and communicate material legal and contractual risks.
• Good drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to produce clear, practical and commercially focused advice.Ability to manage multiple matters, prioritise effectively and take ownership of day-to-day work, while recognising when guidance or escalation is required.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with legal and non-legal colleagues.
• A practical, curious and solutions-driven mindset, together with attention to detail, resilience and a willingness to learn.