Senior Regional Counsel, United Kingdom

Job Summary

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Regional Counsel to join our UK&I Legal and Risk Management Team.

This role sits within the UK&I legal team a group of 10 people who are pivotal to the success of AECOM in terms of delivery and growth. The legal team is an integral part of the decision‑making process ensuring compliance and seamless contracting arrangements with both clients and partners. The legal team also plays an instrumental part in supporting strategic decisions on growth opportunities and the direction of travel in project management.

As an experienced Solicitor you will report to the Chief Counsel for the UK&I. You’ll work in the Buildings Places business line which focuses on creating sustainable and innovative architectural solutions that enhance communities and public spaces. AECOM’s Buildings Places practice encompasses a wide range of services including architecture and building engineering urban design and planning workplace strategies and portfolio advisory.

The role requires good influencing skills, sound commercial judgement and a pro‑active approach. Your role will involve daily interaction with senior level executives as well as colleagues at all levels across the AECOM group. Being a self‑starter is essential for this role and you must be confident in your ability to grow close working relationships with key stakeholders across the business.

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide expert legal support across AECOM’s operations advising on commercial contractual and regulatory matters. The role is responsible for mitigating legal risks, supporting business growth and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, company policies and industry standards.

• Project Legal Support:
  Direct involvement with project teams to provide advice in relation to projects of national importance. Provide legal advice and support during the pursuit, negotiation and delivery phases of contracts and complex building projects.
• Provide project support on complex and major projects including advice on variations, payment disputes, suspension, alleged defects, etc.
• Governance & Compliance:
  Significant involvement in corporate governance and acting as a key stakeholder in making decisions on bidding. Ensure compliance with AECOM’s governance processes, corporate policies, best practices and information requirements.
• Contracting and Negotiation:
  Demonstrated expertise in advising, supporting and collaborating with commercial and other relevant functions during drafting and negotiation of complex high‑value national and international consultancy agreements. Draft and negotiate bespoke and standard‑form contracts, master service agreements, joint ventures, consultant appointments, warranties/third‑party rights and other construction documentation on both UK and international projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Opportunities to provide training and to present to management and senior executives on key risk areas.
• Claims and Dispute Management:
  Oversight of claims including managing, instructing and overseeing external legal counsel and acting as primary interface between external lawyers and internal project managers. Assist with the management of legal budgets on claims.

• UK‑qualified solicitor with a minimum of 10–15 years PQE.
• Demonstrable experience in contracts, negotiation and dispute management.
• Strong working knowledge of intricate contractual arrangements particularly within the construction or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven ability to negotiate and effectively manage sensitive matters with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Background in managing contentious claims effectively.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal clients (commercial, operations, finance, risk) and to act as trusted advisor within the business.

• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to translate legal advice into clear actionable business guidance.
• High level of professionalism, integrity and commercial acumen.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word,…