Legal Counsel (In-House)

Company Description

BESIX Watpac is a multi-disciplinary construction company in Australia and New Zealand, backed by a century of global expertise and financial strength. A wholly owned subsidiary of the award-winning international contractor BESIX Group, we specialise in complex construction across all sectors, including building and infrastructure projects.

Today the Group has more than $7B work in hand and is operating in 25 countries, employing 11,000 people globally. The world’s tallest tower, the iconic Burj Khalifa, showcases our innovation and engineering distinction. With international hubs located in Australia, Europe, and the Middle East, we are united by one common purpose - we excel in creating sustainable solutions for a better world.

Job Description

BESIX Watpac are looking for a legal resource to join our fast paced and dynamic team, reporting to the Group Contracts Manager. This role will be based in our Sydney office providing support to all business units nationally. The key responsibilities of this position include:

• Ensure compliance with BESIX Watpac’s policies and procedures;
• Advise the business on contract interpretation and administration on our projects;
• Identify and advise on key contractual and legal risks and provide advice to the business on risk management and dispute avoidance;
• Advise the business on relevant legislative requirements and ensure that BESIX Watpac’s policies are regularly updated to reflect these;
• Prepare legal and commercial benchmark reviews of tender head contracts;
• Report on legal risks in tenders and work with tender teams to address these;
• Prepare returnable schedules outlining proposed head contract departures including where required, preparing amendments to the head contract;
• Attend tender, contract and dispute resolution discussions and negotiations;
• Prepare special conditions to BESIX Watpac’s template suite of agreements to ensure compliance with head contract requirements, and back down obligations/risks as appropriate;
• Review and respond to proposed departures by subcontractors and consultants to BESIX Watpac’s template suite of agreements;
• Instructing and managing external lawyers;
• reviewing and drafting amendments to various forms of construction documents including warranty deeds, settlement deeds, and novation deeds;
• Review confidentiality agreements and MOUs and draft necessary amendments;
• Review and update BESIX Watpac’s template suite of agreements to incorporate legislative changes and/or streamline processes;
• Assist in developing and delivering training on contract interpretation and administration;
• Assist in the management of formal legal disputes including security of payment, contract disputes, HBA and the Design and Building Practitioners Act;
• Providing general legal advice to the business including with respect to IT, HR, marketing and WHS matters.

Qualifications

The incumbent in this role will require the following qualifications and experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in law;
• 5-7 years PQE as a solicitor, holding a practicing certificate in NSW;
• solid experience in construction law (preferably with front end experience);
• research and analytical skills related to legal matters;
• sound problem solving skills and the ability to exercise balanced and commercial judgement;
• high level of attention to detail;
• ability to communicate, influence and build effective relationships at all levels of the business;
• Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously using initiative, sound reasoning, listening and decision making skills.

Additional information

Along with a competitive remuneration package and long-term opportunities for career development, our employees enjoy access to the following benefits:

• Wellbeing Days - three additional leave days per year.
• Brand new offices in Sydney CBD.
• Flexible work arrangements to balance work and personal commitments.
• Awards and Recognition Program, rewarding employees who bring our values to life.
• Access to a wellbeing program including annual skin checks and flu vaccinations.
• Corporate discounts to gym memberships, meal subscriptions and more.
• Social events and Family Days.

At BESIX Watpac, we are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone is valued, supported and respected. By embracing all ages, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, education and appearance, our people feel safe, empowered, and motivated to be their best.  If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick all the boxes, we encourage you to apply if you have transferable skills and believe you would be a great fit with BESIX Watpac.

Join our talented and passionate team delivering once-in-a-generation projects.

BESIX Watpac acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.