Lead Counsel, Major Project

WorleyParsons; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Worley is seeking a Lead Counsel for a Major Project in Houston, USA. This full-time leadership role delivers strategic legal support across the project lifecycle, collaborating with regional legal teams and centers of excellence.

The ideal candidate holds a JD/LLM and 8+ years of relevant experience, with strong communication and decision-making skills to navigate contracts, risks and cross-functional challenges in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Decision making with independent recommendations affecting the project.
• Supervision and collaboration across legal teams.
• Ability to teach, persuade and influence others within a matrix organization.
• Familiarity with systems, processes and tools related to field operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to the Major Project throughout its lifecycle from planning to close-out.
• Advise the President of the Major Project and project team on contracts, risks and legal matters.
• Collaborate with regional Legal teams and Centers of Excellence to ensure comprehensive support.
• Support procurement and subcontract processes, including contract flow-downs and negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate potential legal risks and advise on strategic responses.
• Provide compliance guidance in coordination with the Regulatory Compliance Center of Excellence.
• Deliver guidance on change management, commercial issues, and potential claims.
• Participate in the Major Projects Working Group to train and mentor team members.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Collaboration

Presentation

Systems & processes

Education

JD or LLM in at least one jurisdiction

Job description

Job Description - Lead Counsel, Major Project (HOU04EE)

Lead Counsel, Major Project - HOU04EE

Company : Worley

Primary Location

USA-TX-Houston

Job

Legal

Schedule

Full-time

Employment Type : Employee

Job Posting

Aug 4, 2026

Unposting Date

Sep 4, 2026

Reporting Manager Title : General Counsel Americas

About us

Worley is a global company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia. We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value across the life of their assets. We specialize in consulting, engineering, procurement and construction across the project lifecycle, with services extending through to operations and decommissioning. Leveraging extensive experience and AI-enabled delivery, we support customers in navigating complexity as they meet today's needs and transition to more sustainable solutions.

Summary:

A leader who develops and implements strategies within his/her areas of responsibility and accountability. Responsible for the legal support to the Major Project in collaboration with the regional legal teams and the Legal Centers of Excellence. Cooperates with other leaders within the global legal team to ensure that the Major Project receives effective legal support and advice across all subject matters.
Reports directly to either the General Counsel Americas and indirectly to General Counsel, MPP. Creates a vision for their own area of responsibility that aligns with the Purpose and Values of the organization. Expected to drive and execute solutions by collaborating across the legal department and through cross-functional or special project teams. Where appropriate, works with other functional groups to provide advice and solutions to the Major Project management on issues facing the business.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the legal support to a significant major project (“Major Project”) and its project teams throughout the project lifecycle, from planning through project close-out.
• As the legal business partner for the Major Project, provides advice and guidance to the President of the Major Project and members of the project team regarding contracts, risks and various legal and business matters.
• Collaborates with the regional Legal teams and Legal Centers of Excellence. Accountable for ensuring that the Major Project receives effective legal support and advice across all legal jurisdictions and subject matters.
• Supports and advises the Major Project Supply Chain function throughout all stages of the subcontracting and procurement processes, including the development of standard forms and templates, preparation of prime contract flow-downs, subcontract/PO negotiation, subcontract/PO management and handling subcontractor and vendor claims. Collaborates with the GC, Supply Chain on these topics.
• Responsible for identifying and assessing potential legal risks associated with the Major Project and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
• In collaboration with the Regulatory Compliance Center of Excellence, provides advice to the Major Project on compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides legal advice and support to the Major Project throughout the project lifecycle regarding change management, commercial issues and potential claims and disputes with the customer and third parties. Provides advice on legal and commercial strategies to mitigate such risks and protect Worley’s bottom line.
• Participates on the Major Projects Working Group and ensures broader training, upskilling, and mentoring/shadowing opportunities for MP Working Group members related to the Major Project developments.

What you will bring
Technical/Industry Experience and Qualifications Requirements:

• Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and adaptable. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Decision Making: Makes independent and well considered decisions and recommendations that can either be general or specific which may impact the project. Ability to implement complex projects working with others. Works frequently with Major Project management on significant matters influencing the business results.
• Supervision Received: Receives guidance on strategic goals and objectives but needs minimal technical guidance and control. Work is reviewed to ensure it meets the company’s strategic direction and Purpose and Values.
• Supervision Authority: Will drive results and outcomes through collaboration with others both within the Legal team and other functional teams.
• Communication: Effectively communicates and presents complex proposals and reports to management. Highly skilled in the ability to teach, persuade and influence others. Collaborative management style with a cooperative team approach.
• Systems, Processes & Tools: Functional understanding of broader systems, processes and tools related to field. Able to teach and help others. May participate in the development of new systems, processes and tools.

Education – Qualifications, Accreditation, Training:

Required:

• Requires a JD or Master of Laws (LLM) in at least one jurisdiction.

Preferred:

• JD or LLM degree. 8+ years relevant industry experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a global or matrixed organization strongly preferred.

Moving forward together

We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation. We're building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard.

And we're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology. Whatever your ambition, there's a path for you here.

And there's no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.