In-house Legal Counsel

at  Sweco UK

Society is in your hands, what are you waiting for?
Following promotion of one of our legal colleagues within the business, we are looking for a motivated, professional In-House Legal Counsel to join our team. This role is based in our Leeds office and can be worked flexibly with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

WHO WE ARE:

• Sweco is a European engineering consultancy company that provides services in the fields of engineering, architecture, and environmental technology.
• Our work focuses on planning and designing the communities and cities of the future, aiming to provide sustainable and innovative solutions.
• Our services cover various sectors including infrastructure, water, energy, environment transport and urban development.
• We collaborate with clients to address complex challenges and contribute to the development of functional and sustainable societies.
• We operate throughout Europe, with a significant presence in the UK, and are recognised for expertise, innovation, and commitment to sustainability.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification.
• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors with current Practising Certificate (1-3 years PQE) or Legal Executive /CILEX qualified.
  If you believe you have the skill set required to join our team and are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.
  Let’s transform society together at Sweco.

ABOUT US

Transforming society together, we’re planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.
Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.
We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.
Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Supporting the Head of Legal, working closely with our business on a broad range of legal duties.
• Reviewing forms of contract for the provision of professional consultancy services.
• Negotiating directly with a wide range of clients and our supply chain, across a range of sectors including the built environment, energy, industry and other professional services.
• Dealing with legal, governance and compliance matters.

WHAT DOES THE ROLE INVOLVE?

• Working closely with the business to review a range of professional service contracts; drafting and negotiating amendments to reflect Sweco’s governance and appetite for risk whilst facilitating business transactions.
• Working with both bespoke contracts and standard industry forms (e.g NEC).
• Communicating effectively with a range of internal and external partners, across all sectors, to ensure compliance issues are understood and effectively risk managed.
• Providing technical guidance, support and training to colleagues and assist in mentoring and development of others.
• Playing an active role within the legal team, developing and promoting our technical excellence in all legal areas, keeping up to date with developments both in legal practice and application across a range of sectors.
• Demonstrating commercial acumen, understanding our strategy and working in collaboration with team members and disciplines to achieve our business objectives.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL NEED TO POSSESS:

• A client focused, commercially aware mindset with a solutions orientated approach.
• A collaborative mindset, with a strong team focus.
• An ability to communicate both in a persuasive and positive manner with other team members and to provide advice in plain English.
• An ability to be able to quickly analyse legal issues and deliver effective reports to all management levels of the business.
• An ability to explain legal concepts clearly to those without a legal background.
• Engineering consultancy and construction sector experience would be useful but not essential.
• A curious and pragmatic mindset, flexible in approach to adopt new methods of working, being able to work on own initiative and seek assistance when required.
• An ability to organise and prioritise workload to ensure that timescales are met.
• Good problem solving/contingency planning skills with ability to find quick, innovative and practical solutions.
• The commitment to take responsibility for your personal development and enable and support the learning of others.
• An ability to recognise own impact on others and adapt approach where appropriate.
• An understanding of the importance of taking pride in your work, through accurate timely delivery and attention to detail.