Legal Counsel

• Be part of an organisation that helps to shape our communities
• Permanent role with structured career progression within our business
• Hybrid role within a friendly, flexible work environment

About SMEC
 

SMEC provides unique opportunities to work on iconic industry projects with experienced colleagues and leadership teams. We support and empower employees to drive innovation initiatives within a well-established and growing organisation.
Every employee plays a key role in shaping our business and is driven by teamwork, progressive thinking and creative ideas. We are committed to providing platforms to enable our people to engage in the business, deliver value to clients and develop their careers.
SMEC delivers smart solutions for clients and communities in Infrastructure, Urban Development and Energy & Resources driven by a desire to improve the world in which we live. Our diverse and skilled teams are engaged in major projects across Transport, Water, Energy and renewables sectors.
 

Role
We have a rare opportunity for an innovative Legal Counsel to join our team in Melbourne. This role would suit someone looking to make the move in-house, will have a national remit and is predominantly responsible for providing legal services and expertise to SMEC's Australia and New Zealand Division to ensure that all operations of the organisation are compliant with relevant legislation.
 

Another vital part of this role is developing the legal intellectual capital of the business and ensures efficient provision of processes and procedures of legal services, whilst ensuring minimal risk to the business. This role will also provide the opportunity to advise and work on projects or matters for the wider SJ Group with potential to work on global projects or with teams outside of Australia.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Undertaking extensive contract reviews and negotiations on proposed contracts and tenders with clients and sub- consultants for small, mid and large-scale projects; PPPs and D&C projects
• Reviewing and advising upon other agreements and related issues (such as subcontracts, teaming agreements, memoranda of understanding, alliances, joint ventures, leases, insurance coverage, in conjunction with Group General Manager - Insurance (GGMI) and probity arrangements)
• Providing legal advice on liability and risk identification, allocation and management (including developing commercial solutions to legal risks)
• Providing independent legal advice on contractual issues and claims or potential claims by or against SMEC to project managers and regional management
• Working in collaboration with the Director - Commercial and Legal Services, GGMI and General Counsel/Head of Compliance (GC/HoC).
• Liaising with GGMI on questions of insurance coverage and contractual undertakings relating to insurance, providing an efficient, competent and professional service that is tailored to the business needs and requirements to ensure transparency to management of risk undertaken
• Advising and assisting debt collection activities
• Providing advice on matters arising in the performance and administration of contracts.
• Assisting with delivery of contracts training across the Division
• Providing input and assistance when standard documentation and user guides are reviewed and developed
• Promote compliance with group-wide legal and risk policies and procedures within the Division
• Identification and reporting of non- compliances across the business
• Participating with Divisional management and SMEC Corporate (inc GC/HoC) in policy and procedure development (as requested)
• Identifying areas of improvement for the Division's legal and commercial practices and liaise with Business Unit Directors, Market Directors and National Managers and State Sector/Local Sector Managers to develop solutions clients
• Working to foster positive working relationships with external clients while still acting to protect SMEC's interests
• Identifying internal client needs and seeks to address their reasonable requirements.
• Maintaining regular contact and dialogue with key clients

About You
Suitable applicants will be/have:

• Bachelor's Degree in law
• Post graduate qualification in a relevant area (desirable)
• Current Legal Practicing Certificate
• Member of a State Law Society
• 3+ years post graduate PAE legal experience including commercial law, construction law, services contracts, leases and debt collection
• Strong negotiation skills;
• High level of written and verbal skills;
• Pragmatic, practical and solution focused approach;
• Ability to prioritise and manage tasks to meet critical deadlines and work under pressure;
• High level of legal knowledge (contract law);
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to efficiently plan workloads and meet deadlines;
• Solid understanding of relevant Australian Standards and other common industry consultancy contracts;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Skilled in undertaking a co-operative and flexible work style to work in a team environment;
• Computer literacy with proficiency in a variety of relevant computer programs.

In return, SMEC offers you the benefits that come from working in a global multidisciplinary consultancy in an environment where your fresh ideas and enthusiasm will be welcomed and rewarded.

Link to benefits: http://www.smec.com/en_au/careers/your-career-with-SMEC
 

How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online. To apply, click on the "Apply Now" link below and follow the prompts.
For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact [email protected]
To find out more about SMEC, please visit our careers page at www.smec.com/careers
 

All recruitment activities go through our Recruitment & Talent function and currently, this role doesn't require agency input. Please do not forward resume directly to SMEC employees/managers; we do not accept unsolicited resumes and are not responsible for any associated fees.

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!