Senior Legal Counsel – Disputes Focus

About the Role

The role involves managing disputes and claims, overseeing licensing, handling commercial contracts, coordinating reporting and governance, and mentoring junior lawyers while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. • Lead upstream and downstream claims, including variations, extensions of time, defects, payment security, and subcontract disputes. • Negotiate settlements, represent ACCIONA in mediations, and manage external counsel for arbitration and litigation. • Provide legal support for regulatory incidents and liaise with regulators and government bodies. • Manage contentious industrial relations matters and employee‑related claims. • Oversee licensing requirements and assist with licence renewal applications (e.g., EPA, building licences). • Draft, review, and negotiate construction, O&M, supply, subcontracting, and joint‑venture agreements. • Coordinate monthly legal reporting and contribute to internal training and process improvements. • Support governance, policy development, precedent management, and legal knowledge resources. • Mentor junior lawyers and collaborate with executives, commercial managers, project directors, clients, JV partners, suppliers, and regulators.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸claims management
• ▸contract drafting
• ▸licensing oversight
• ▸legal reporting
• ▸governance support
• ▸mentoring

What You Bring

ACCIONA Agua, the water and wastewater division for Australia and New Zealand, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel (Disputes Focus) who will report to the Head of Legal and provide coordinated legal advice across regional operations, supporting contract administration, regulatory matters, and project delivery. • Required: Australian Practising Certificate, 9+ years legal experience (6+ in construction/O&M or infrastructure), strong dispute resolution and claims management expertise. • Demonstrate excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, high attention to detail, and commercial judgement in a fast‑paced environment. • Desirable: prior in‑house experience and experience managing direct reports.

Requirements

• ▸practising certificate
• ▸9+ years
• ▸construction
• ▸dispute resolution
• ▸negotiation
• ▸stakeholder engagement

Benefits

ACCIONA offers a collaborative high‑performing legal team, growth opportunities on large‑scale projects, flexible work locations across major Australian cities, and recognition as a Top Employer with a strong commitment to diversity and employee wellbeing. • Benefits: work with a global sustainable infrastructure leader, exposure to complex large‑scale projects, flexible work locations, Top Employer certification, and commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

Work Environment

Office Full-Time