Group Legal Counsel - ConstructionTHE COMPANYPD Ports are a leading UK ports business offering end to end supply chain solutions and employing over 1200 people across the UK. With headquarters in the North East of England, PD Ports operates at key UK ports and logistics centres nationwide.THE ROLE Reporting to the Group Legal Manager this role will primarily involve the provision of proactive legal support to the engineering teams within the business. The role will require the candidate to support the engineering teams on both general matters and specific work areas in which they are involved by way of the provision of timely and appropriate contractual/legal advice on a varied range of issues including procurement of equipment, civil and mechanical engineering contracts and construction and demolition works. When not engaged in the provision of legal support to the engineering teams, the role will require the candidate to provide appropriate contractual/legal advice on a varied range of general issues, largely but not solely of a commercial nature, supporting the other members of the Legal Department. The candidate will be expected to work closely with the engineering teams within the business, and when necessary to liaise with all departments within the business providing pragmatic legal/contractual support.With a background of providing advice on legal agreements in an engineering and construction environment, the successful candidate should have the ability to: - Review and understand terms and conditions of engineering and construction Industry Standard Agreements with a particular emphasis on identifying areas of risk/exposure to the business and be able to highlight areas not covered adequately. - Draft agreements and/or amendments to agreements as necessary. - Negotiate contracts and amendments to agreements with third parties from a legal and commercial perspective. - Communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with all levels within the Group, but particularly with the personnel in the engineering teams within the business. - Liaise effectively with suppliers, external service providers and other professional groups.Full or part time hours would be considered, as would flexible working arrangements.THE CANDIDATEExperience of using and working with Industry Standard Contracts for the procurement of equipment, civil and mechanical services, and construction works is required. An understanding/working knowledge of EU Procurement and its practical application would be advantageous. Ideally the candidate will have some experience of working in-house whether permanently or by way of secondment in a commercial environment.Candidates should be able to demonstrate good communication, organisational, and motivational skills. The role will necessitate the planning and prioritisation of tasks and activities in line with business operational requirements. As the role will also require the candidate to support the Legal Department in the provision of general legal advice from time to time, the candidate will need to be able to work as part of a team, as well as be able to manage a high individual workload.Whilst the role will be based in Middlesbrough, with regular work from home provision, the candidate will occasionally be required to travel to other Group locations within the UK from time to time to support departments based at those locations.Ideally the candidate will have at least 3 years pqe to have gained the experience needed to take on this exciting and varied role, being a lawyer with a track record in construction, engineering or projects, either gained at a commercial law firm or in house team, or equivalent practical experience. Applications from candidates with other legal qualifications who have a demonstrable experience of working in an engineering/construction contracts management role will also be considered.This assignment is being handled on an exclusive basis by BCL Legal and all direct and third party applications will be forwarded to them for consideration.