About Bouygues Construction Australia

The Bouygues Construction Organisation in Australia (including Bouygues Construction Australia, A W Edwards, and VSL) is dedicated to the design, construction, and delivery of nation-shaping projects across civil infrastructure, building, engineering, energy, and services. With more than 100 years of experience in Australia across the organisation, our local expertise is supported by significant global resources, enabling us to deliver complex and innovative projects.

Position Objective

The Senior Legal Counsel provides strategic, commercially focused and technically sound legal advice across complex projects, transactions, contracts, and operational matters. The position acts as a trusted legal adviser and subject-matter expert, supporting the organisation's objectives while protecting its legal, commercial and reputational interests.

The Senior Legal Counsel identifies and manages legal risk, oversees complex legal matters including negotiation of head contracts with clients, supports supply chain arrangements including negotiation of key downstream contracts, develops practical legal solutions and provides clear advice to senior management and key stakeholders. All within the compliance and governance framework of the Bouygues Construction group.

This position reports directly into the Bouygues Construction Organisation’s General Counsel in Australia and is based in the Sydney Head Office (with a flexible working policy). The role may require occasional domestic and international travel.

 Key Responsibilities

• Predominantly a front end, transactional role with a prime focus on negotiating head contracts with public and private sector clients across a range of sectors: data centres, renewables with a focus on solar and battery projects, hospitals, schools, universities, and from time to time supporting the wider civil infrastructure team (including tunnels, roads, bridges, ports and defence projects).
• Support the preparation, review, negotiation and management of contracts and other legal documents.
• Provide clear and timely legal advice to operational and management teams to support effective decision making on complex construction, energy and commercial matters.
• Identify, assess and manage legal, contractual, regulatory and operational risks.
• Act as a recognised part of the corporate decision-making process by providing legal reviews and support to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Advise on the legal implications of client and Bouygues Construction Group strategies, policies, procedures, programs and projects.
• Lead legal research and analysis to support compliance with organisational policies, contracts, laws, regulations and legal requirements, including using legal AI tools.
• Monitor and implement legal developments, industry trends and recognised best practice.
• Develop practical and innovative solutions to legal problems and emerging risks.
• From time to time contribute towards corporate initiatives including acquisition activity.
• Manage external legal advisers where required.
• Contribute to the development and review of legal policies, procedures, templates and compliance frameworks including participating in global Bouygues Construction Legal Working groups and events.
• Maintain accurate records of legal matters, advice, contracts, risks and outcomes.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to legal team members and relevant stakeholders.
• Promote legal integrity, corporate accountability and efficiency, collaboration, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Law, Engineering, Construction Management, Business or a related discipline.
• Admission as a legal practitioner and a current practising certificate, in Australia or other common law in Jurisdiction.
• Significant experience as a legal practitioner in a senior or specialist role, in-house or in private practice.
• Recognised experience in a relevant legal and construction / building / energy industry sectors.
• Some M&A or corporate / commercial experience is desirable.
• Experience working with senior management and key internal and external stakeholders
• Experience managing external legal advisers is desirable.
• Experience in commercial contracts, construction, infrastructure, delivery, claims or other complex legal matters.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, legal requirements and industry practices.

 Skills & Knowledge

• Strong legal, technical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sound commercial judgement and the ability to assess and manage legal risk.
• Excellent written communication skills, including advance legal drafting skills and the ability to prepare clear contract reviews, reports, contract templates and tender submissions.
• Excellent verbal communication and meeting presentation skills.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and influence decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Effective planning, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to make timely and well-reasoned decisions.
• Appropriate use of technology, systems and processes including legal AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Ability to coach, mentor and support the development of others.
• Demonstrated integrity, professional independence and accountability

EEO

BYCA / A W Edwards is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status or disability status.  
We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or applicants from disadvantaged groups to apply as well. 
To apply for this role, please apply through our website or send an email to Alasdair Knight at aknight@awedwards.com.au

 If you have any questions feel free to contact Alasdair Knight