Legal Counsel

• NQ to 3-year post qualification experience either in house or in a private practice environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and highly developed legal and analytical skills
• Core legal analysis & drafting: ability to interpret, structure and communicate advice clearly, with sound issue-spotting and risk-based judgement
• Commercial contracting fundamentals: core contractual concepts (scope, risk allocation, indemnities, limitation of liability, variations/claims, termination, dispute resolution).
• Disputes awareness: basic understanding of how claims and disputes progress (pre-action, ADR, arbitration/litigation) and how to support strategy development with internal stakeholders and external counsel
• Privilege & confidentiality: understanding how to protect legal privilege and handle sensitive investigations / contentious matters appropriately (including disciplined written communications)
• Matter management discipline: matter scoping, status reporting, document management and basic cost awareness
• Stakeholder management: presenting complex issues succinctly to non-lawyers; confidence to ask the right questions to get to a decision
• Working as an effective team player in a fast-paced environment

• Engineering/construction/projects work (contentious or non-contentious), including exposure to EPC/EPCm or comparable delivery models (or demonstrable interest in developing this specialty quickly)
• Claims, variations, delay/disruption concepts, and/or supporting dispute strategy, including working productively with external counsel
• Employment/HR advisory exposure: handling sensitive documentation, or managing external counsel input
• Multi-jurisdiction mindset: experience working across jurisdictions/time zones, or demonstrated ability to learn unfamiliar legal frameworks with supervision
• Global/matrix environment: comfort working with multiple functions (commercial, procurement, HR, finance, projects) and aligning advice to business objectives

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a NQ to 3 PQE solicitor to join Wood's award winning Eastern Hemisphere Legal team in the role of Legal Counsel. This is a 12 month fixed term contract position from October or November 2026 and is based in our Reading or Aberdeen office with hybrid working.

• Ensure the effective, timely and cost-effective delivery of legal advice, support, governance and compliance in the relevant geographic regions, including project management of external legal service provider engagement and related budgets
• Support the UK & Europe, Middle East, Africa and CIS, and APAC Senior/Managing Counsel with complex legal analysis and problem solving, research, counsel and guidance, including effective communication of same
• Inputs/prepares for litigation/disputes; works with outside counsel to develop the claim/defence, or leads disputes to resolution, including instruction and supervision of outside counsel
• Maintains and inputs into matter and cost management databases
• Develop understanding of legal risks and cost, including anticipating potential risk and developing risk mitigation strategies
• Provide oversight of functional legal risk and management, proactively identifying and effectively managing legal risk and compliance
• Successfully communicates and delivers strategic legal and compliance initiatives
• Project management of strategic transactions and litigation/disputes
• Manage current and new vendor relationships, identifying appropriate partners who can add value, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Proactively shares knowledge and experience with other members of the legal team to assist in overall development and progression of the team
• Legal training / knowledge sharing - contributing to internal training, guidance notes and templates
• Supports the creation of a cohesive team and organisational culture based on values and excellence in delivery which fosters innovation and collaboration, continuous improvement and change
• Works autonomously and proactively to deliver defined legal goals

Desirable:

• Develop specialist skills in different jurisdictions including developing all the preferred knowledge and experience above
• Consistently deliver to stakeholders
• Push the boundaries to create smarter legal solutions
• Generate trust and credibility with audiences through continuous, open and consistent communication
• Champion and drive innovation and change initiatives, focused on improving quality and effectiveness
• Work effectively across different cultures, driving a global mind-set
• Foster and contribute towards a customer-focused climate that delivers on expectations and strengthens relationships
• Meet deadlines and always provide professional level of service
• Measure performance of external counsel against budgets
• Work collaboratively with and influence key business unit/service bundle/functional leadership teams