Head of Legal Services
Job Introduction
We are currently recruiting for a Head of Legal Services on our SCS Railways Joint Venture.
Reporting to the Project Management Team (“PMT”) through the Commercial Managing Director and supported by the three joint venture corporate legal teams, you will be responsible for providing legal expertise and advice to the SCS Joint Venture and having a guiding role in legal and regulatory compliance.
This is a Senior Leadership role with the Joint Venture, designated as strategically important.
Direct reports:
- Construction Lawyer
- Ethics & Compliance Officer and Ethics function (including Whistleblowing reviews)
- Data Protection Officer
Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role.
Role Responsibility
- Providing accurate legal guidance to the PMT and JV Board on all matters that affect SCS Joint Venture;
- Ensuring that SCS Joint Venture is in compliance with its legal and contractual obligations;
- Drafting, negotiating and reviewing key commercial and procurement agreements essential to SCS Joint Venture’s operations and activities;
- Supporting the interpretation of relevant planning, environmental and equalities legislation, stakeholder agreements and other consents, and control the legal aspects of the processes undertaken by SCS Joint Venture;
- Managing legal risks, mitigation actions, litigation and dispute resolution to enable the organisation to make sound decisions based on expert advice;
- Being accountable for understanding and translating implications from legal and regulatory changes, owning associated communications to SCS Joint Venture;
- Owning and controlling the selection and activities of, and budget for, external counsel, overseeing service delivery and quality, and value for money;
- Appointment and instruction of approved external law firms and / or experts on an ad hoc basis as required to protect SCSJV interests in consultation with PMT;
- Supporting the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) regarding their contract management and operational activities on contractual or legal issues arising as required;
- Specifying and maintaining internal legal policies and oversee compliance of the same, in particular, SCS’ Ethical Business Policy & Probity Plan;
- Providing legal support in relation to SCS Joint Venture’s handling of FOIA, EIR and requests under GDPR legislation;
- Building and maintaining strategic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to enhance and maximise the provision of legal solutions, advice and guidance;
- Proactively looking to drive cost, time and wasted effort out of the organization and the Delivery Programme whilst ensuring suitable legal resources are available to discharge all the legal obligations;
- Act as a role model for SCS Joint Venture’s vision and values, behaving in ways that are in alignment with the SCS Joint Ventures Values, encouraging and supporting others to do so in addition;
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified solicitor around 10-15 years PQE with top tier experience in non-contentious construction.
- Lawyers from contentious construction programme who are interested in flexing their skillset to involve drafting and non-contentious matters are also encouraged to apply.
- Previous experience of managing a small team would be advantageous and must be client facing within the Integrated Project Team environment.
- Must be eligible to work in the UK.
Please note PQE levels are provided purely as a guide. SCSJV are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills and competence necessary to fulfil the role.
About the Company
The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services
The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.
You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join one of our networks for women, military or LGBT+ staff, and participate in cultural and social events with the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).
Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.
HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity. Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 1998) and will be reported to HS2.
It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House, and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader. We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities. We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.
Please see the disability confident commitments:
To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have:
- A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
- Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role
SCS Railways