Senior Legal Counsel - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - AECOM

    AECOM background
    Description

    Company Description

    Work with Us. Change the World.

    At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

    There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

    We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

    Job Description

    Job Summary

    Working as a key member of the Middle East & Africa ("MEA") legal team and working closely with the MEA Chief Counsel, AECOM Operations and other disciplines, your role will extend across front end contract reviews and negotiations, major projects and corporate transactions. You will also be required to work across AECOM's business lines and regions providing legal advice on matters such as ethics and compliance, construction law and the management of disputes and claims, including professional indemnity matters. As a senior leader within the group you may also be requested to provide mentoring, supervision and support for junior counsel.

    Job Duties

  • Providing legal support to the AECOM MEA business to ensure it complies with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Providing proactive, solutions focused, legally sound advice and support in a timely fashion to the AECOM MEA business.
  • Handling matters relating to contracts, including reviewing and negotiating consultancy agreements, joint venture arrangements and subcontracts between AECOM, its clients and other third parties.
  • Managing contentious disputes and claims, including matters notified to our professional indemnity insurers.
  • Working collaboratively with the AECOM MEA and AECOM Global legal teams on major projects and international pursuits involving the broader AECOM business.
  • Handling matters relating to the implementation of risk management initiatives.
  • Working with other corporate functions of the AECOM MEA business, including Operations; Finance & Accounting; the Office of Risk Management and Human Resources.
  • Providing advice in relation to labor law matters and employment disputes.
  • Management of and instructions to external legal counsel.
  • Assisting the MEA Chief Counsel in matters relating to AECOM's obligations under ethics and compliance related laws (eg: US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, US Anti-Boycott Regulations, and the UK Bribery Act), policies and procedures (both external and internal).
  • Providing legal training to the business as required.
  • Developing and managing standard form and sample documents (eg: NDAs, consultancy agreements and sub-consultancy contracts, etc).
  • Specific Skills Required

  • Good oral and written English communications skills, including excellent presentation, reviewing and drafting skills.
  • Experience in the area of front-end contract review and negotiation, major projects and construction law ideally gained within a large commercially driven multinational law firm or organization.
  • Negotiation skills in a number of different scenarios including written, virtual and face-to-face with MEA and international client bodies and their advisors.
  • Solid administration and organisational skills and the ability to work with own initiative as well as being a team player.
  • Ability to be flexible in working, to prioritise workflows and work collaboratively with many parts of the business.
  • Person Specification (Behavioral Attributes)

  • Safeguard - To operate ethically and with integrity, while prioritising safety and security in all that you do.
  • Be decisive - Know how to prioritise, advocate focus and accountability.
  • Be impactful - Use clear and frequent communications, drive execution and results.
  • Be client-focused - Be collaborative, innovative and strategic.
  • Be the role model - Lead by example, demand excellence, maintain safety and integrity as top priorities.
  • Qualifications

    Qualification

    A Bachelor of Law is required, ideally from a reputable university.

    Experience

    A minimum of 8+ years post admission experience is required. Arabic (written and spoken) would be highly regarded.

    The following experience is strongly desirable:

  • Strong contracts and major projects capabilities and experience
  • Expertise managing contentious matters / disputes
  • Top tier law firm experience
  • ME region experience
  • Multi-national corporation experience
  • Ethics and compliance experience
  • Construction / engineering industry experience.