Job Description

Job Advert

Legal Counsel (Construction)

Role Purpose

Advise the business on construction project procurement strategies and risk management.


Support negotiation and take the lead on managing construction transactions from internal instruction to financial close and completion.


Developing and embedding a new suite of contract templates for construction and procurement related matters.


Identifying risk in relation to construction related matters and developing and implementing appropriate mitigations.

Key Responsibilities

Negotiation of construction agreements, and based on the project requirements, prepare JCT and NEC forms of contract and all ancillary construction agreements, such as pre-construction agreements and project development style agreements. If required, prepare brief for any external construction legal support required and manage said appointments. Lead negotiation on contracts for commercial and construction. Conduct and report on due diligence for construction projects. Train and supervise paralegals, on construction related matters. Provide ad-hoc legal advice and support to ESP colleagues relating to construction. Develop and draft bespoke contracts terms for construction to reflect the needs of ESP; and Be involved in the negotiation of the legal framework supporting major and minor Electricity/Water/Heat schemes which are nationally significant.

Person Specification

Construction contract negotiation experience. Experience managing and negotiating leasehold and freehold purchase and sales. Experience dealing with easements, deeds of covenants, licences to alter. Experience dealing with the legalities of large scale residential and/or commercial developments. Experience within the energy and/or utility sector (desirable). Experience supervising or managing junior members of staff (desirable). Strong communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues and external parties. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strongly analytical, with well-developed problem solving skills and proficient with MS Office. * A good organiser with a natural ability to plan and organise to achieve objectives and targets.