Major Projects Legal Director

Overview

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As an Arcadian, you help deliver world leading sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. You are part of our global business comprising 36,000 people in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. This role leads legal strategy for high‑risk, cross‑border infrastructure projects, advising on front‑end setup, structure, and risk allocation.

This position may primarily focus on North America, with potential support in other jurisdictions as company needs evolve. You will work closely with bid, project, engineering, and legal teams across time zones to shape the legal and commercial direction of major projects. The role requires exceptional legal judgment, commercial acumen, and the ability to balance firmness with diplomacy in navigating complexity and demanding stakeholder environments.

Strong client engagement skills are essential.

• Strategic Legal Leadership
  • Lead the legal strategy for Arcadis’ portfolio of major projects, typically exceeding €20 million in revenue, involving substantial risk and global collaboration across rail, road, aviation, buildings, water, and energy sectors.
  • Advise on procurement models (e.g., D&B, PDB, PPP, Alliancing), JV arrangements, and risk allocation.
  • Embed legal insight early in project pursuit and structuring, partnering with commercial, technical, and legal leaders.
  • Align project governance with corporate risk appetite, standards, and commercial priorities.
  • Use project data and legal insights to inform strategy and improve decision‑making and commercial outcomes.
• Transactional Support
  • Lead high‑stakes negotiations on client contracts, consortium agreements, and partnering structures where needed.
  • Review and develop bespoke terms, deviation strategies, and negotiation frameworks.
  • Ensure contractual positions are commercially sound and aligned to enterprise legal risk appetite and reward outcomes.
• Cross‑Border Collaboration
  • Coordinate global legal directors and local teams to maintain consistent legal positioning across jurisdictions.
  • Act as legal lead in global Major Project governance forums and project reviews.
  • Institutionalize best practices through playbooks, templates, and knowledge sharing.
  • Provide training and coaching to legal and commercial teams to build capability and alignment to risk appetite.
• Risk & Disputes
  • Set and oversee legal risk thresholds for major project delivery.
  • Contribute legal expertise to internal governance, approvals, and project risk reviews.
  • Provide strategic input on disputes and claims where appropriate.
• Success Factors
  • Strategic thinker with deep expertise in major, cross‑border infrastructure projects across rail, road, buildings, aviation, water and energy.
  • Trusted strategic partner to commercial, project, and legal leaders; clear communication in high‑stakes environments.
  • Strong drafting and negotiation skills across alternative delivery models and international standard construction contracts (e.g., FIDIC, NEC, JCT).
  • Commercially focused; knows when to push or partner to achieve the right outcome.
  • Skilled at navigating matrixed environments and leading through influence.
  • Resilient and pragmatic under pressure, with a calm and decisive approach.
• Qualifications & Experience
  • Law degree with license to practice in a common law jurisdiction (US strongly preferred); US-based with valid work authorization.
  • Extensive experience advising in infrastructure, construction, or engineering sectors.
  • Minimum 15 years’ post‑qualification experience; ideally includes top‑tier law firm training and senior in‑house roles. Applications encouraged regardless of years of practice.
  • Deep knowledge of alternative delivery models (e.g., Alliance, Progressive D&B, PPP) and international contracting.
  • Demonstrated autonomy in leading complex matters with high commercial and reputational stakes.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and cultural fluency; ability to work across time zones with stakeholders in North America, Australia, and Central Europe.
  • Commercially sharp judgment on when to hold the line and when to adapt.