Legal Counsel

This role will suit qualified solicitors specialising in Construction Law with a minimum of 2 years PQE. This role offers the successful candidate the opportunity to join an exciting and highly regarded business in an In-House legal capacity.

Client Details

Our client is the UK's leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure.

Designing, building, financing and operating new, on-campus residential and academic infrastructure, as well as completing estate transfers of existing accommodation.

They provide high-quality and affordable accommodation on campus and aim to deliver the very best student experience in partnership with universities.

Description

The Legal Counsel will be responsible for advising on a range of legal matters across the business and providing general support to the Head of Legal. With specific focus on construction matters and ensuring that the organisation's interests are protected, the Legal Counsel will cover the full legal lifecycle of works from early engagement and appointment through to contract negotiation (and in some instances, assisting with enforcements as required). The postholder will also liaise with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders as dictated by the business. These internal stakeholders include our SPV teams and in house FM provider, and external parties include funders, technical advisors, legal teams and contractors. The role responsibilities include:

Legal drafting

• Drafting of and advising on construction documentation, such as: design & build contracts; contractor security packages; works licences; sub-contractor / consultant appointments; sub-contractor / consultant warranties; standstill agreements and settlement & remediation agreements.
• Documenting contract / project variations and where necessary, seeking relevant funder and third party approvals
• Responsibility for drafting formal correspondence (e. letters, emails) with counterparties such as contractors, consultants, funders and between Group companies

General advice

• Provide general legal support to the business (Group companies, SPVs and operational companies) on corporate and operational matters including assisting the Head of Legal with managing litigation and disputes arising. For example, this will include reviewing, interpreting and advising on commercial agreements and key project documentation, including leases, project arrangements and facilities management contracts
• Responsible for identifying corporate risk and the delivery and implementation of strategies to ensure the adequate reporting, management and mitigation of such risks

Project management

• Managing the legal work streams (including engaging with relevant university and funder legal teams / advisers) on construction / remedial projects relating to the organisation's portfolio of assets
• Working closely with the Asset Management and Defects teams to assist with assets that have planned summer works programmes and those that have identified defects and in particular, those assets approaching the end of their contract limitation periods.
• Assisting the Head of Legal with managing contentious matters, such as supporting with pre-action protocol steps and where necessary, through the claim process

Reporting & compliance

• Reporting and presenting to the Head of Legal and Group company boards on legal matters arising, including drafting papers for the same
• Liaise with all companies to ensure compliance with relevant legal, funder, regulatory and contractual requirements

Relationship management

• Work closely with the Head of Legal to assist with managing and strengthening relationships with internal stakeholders, external lawyers, University partners, funders, shareholders and other external parties

Profile

Candidates must be qualified solicitors with a minimum of 2 years PQE. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate experience and a working understanding of construction projects with some experience of negotiating relevant construction documentation on projects such as higher education schemes, private finance initiatives or public-private partnerships.

Essential attributes include:

• Experience of advising on a broad range of legal matters in an in-house / corporate environment

• The ability to work within a team, planning and managing work activities

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiating skills

• Sound judgement and exceptional attention to detail

• Strong project management skills

Job Offer

This role offers a competitive salary, performance based bonus and a flexible working environment.

For further information about the package on offer for this position, and in order to find out more about the role, please contact Rosie Gage of Michael Page Legal (London)