Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Legal Counsel

Posted Today by Nxtgen Recruitment

Negotiable
Inside
Hybrid
Birmingham, UK

Summary: NXTGEN is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel for a major UK infrastructure programme, focusing on high-value commercial and construction work. This role involves providing legal advice that directly impacts commercial outcomes and strategy, working closely with stakeholders on critical decisions. The position requires delivering high-quality legal guidance on commercial contracts and construction-related matters while operating autonomously in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Advising on complex commercial and construction contracts, including drafting, negotiation, and risk mitigation
  • Supporting procurement activity across high-value, multi-party projects
  • Acting as a key legal contact for internal stakeholders, providing clear, pragmatic advice at all levels
  • Supporting on contractual claims, disputes, and compensation events
  • Developing and delivering internal training on legal and procurement matters
  • Creating templates and guidance to improve consistency and efficiency across the business
  • Managing external legal advisors where required, including cost and quality oversight
  • Supporting senior leadership with legal insight to inform key decisions

Key Skills:

  • UK-qualified Solicitor (or equivalent)
  • Minimum 3 years PQE
  • Strong background in commercial contracts and/or construction law
  • Experience working in-house or closely with business stakeholders
  • Confident drafting and negotiating complex agreements
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
  • Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence at all levels

Salary (Rate): £800 Daily

City: Birmingham

Country: UK

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: inside IR35

Seniority Level: Senior

Industry: Legal

Detailed Description From Employer:

NXTGEN is working on a Legal Counsel opportunity within a major UK infrastructure programme, offering exposure to high-value, complex commercial and construction work. This Legal Counsel role sits at the centre of a large-scale delivery environment where legal advice directly influences commercial outcomes, risk, and strategy.

This isn't a back-office legal position. As Legal Counsel, you'll be Embedded with key stakeholders across the business, advising on critical decisions across supply chain, procurement, and project delivery on a programme of national significance.

You'll be responsible for delivering high-quality, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of matters, with a particular focus on commercial contracts and construction-related work.

You'll operate with a high level of autonomy, acting as a key legal contact for stakeholders across multiple business areas, while also supporting wider strategic initiatives.

Key areas include:

  • Advising on complex commercial and construction contracts, including drafting, negotiation, and risk mitigation
  • Supporting procurement activity across high-value, multi-party projects
  • Acting as a key legal contact for internal stakeholders, providing clear, pragmatic advice at all levels
  • Supporting on contractual claims, disputes, and compensation events
  • Developing and delivering internal training on legal and procurement matters
  • Creating templates and guidance to improve consistency and efficiency across the business
  • Managing external legal advisors where required, including cost and quality oversight
  • Supporting senior leadership with legal insight to inform key decisions

Requirements

  • UK-qualified Solicitor (or equivalent)
  • Minimum 3 years PQE
  • Strong background in commercial contracts and/or construction law
  • Experience working in-house or closely with business stakeholders
  • Confident drafting and negotiating complex agreements
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
  • Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence at all levels

Experience within large-scale infrastructure, public sector, utilities, or transport projects would be highly relevant, but not essential.

Key Details
  • Contract: Initial 6 months (likely to extend)
  • Location: Birmingham or London (3 days per week in office)
  • Rate: £800 per day (umbrella, inside IR35)

Please note this is an Inside of IR35 role, the rate offered is dependent on experience