Senior Legal Counsel - Construction

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About the team and the role The Government Relations, Sustainability and Legal (GSL) business unit supports Sydney Airport across a broad range of corporate and operational matters. The Legal Team, which sits within GSL, provides end‑to‑end legal support to the business, including contracting, dispute resolution and compliance advice. We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel, Construction to join our high‑performing in‑house legal team at Sydney Airport. In this role, you will provide commercially focused legal services, specialising in construction law, across major airport projects, with additional exposure to technology, services, energy and utilities matters. You will deliver timely and cost‑effective advice either directly to the business or through the management of external legal advisors to support strong commercial outcomes. There is significant investment in the pipeline with redeveloping the airport over the coming years and this role will work on some exciting key projects such as runway improvements, terminal expansion, T2 check-in and security redevelopment, the redevelopment of the baggage handling system and check-in across T1. Reporting to the Head of Legal Services, you will work with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating closely with Legal Counsel and key stakeholders. You will build strong relationships across the Planning & Delivery, Operations and Procurement teams, work closely with the Group Insurance Manager, and engage with external advisors, contractors, consultants, tenants and relevant government bodies as required. In this role, you will have the opportunity to Provide timely, proactive and commercially focused legal services construction law advice to all levels of the business, including providing written and oral advice, drafting and negotiating agreements and correspondence, managing/ coordinating litigation and other dispute resolution processes, attending internal and external meetings and negotiating with third parties and their lawyers Manage legal risk and anticipate potential exposures across projects and SYD's activities Partner with planning, delivery, operations and procurement teams Maintain awareness of the legislative and regulatory environment relating to key aspects of SYD's operations, including monitoring changes to applicable legislation and forming strategies, procedures, and policies in response to legislative changes for implementation by the business Revise precedent agreements to ensure they are kept current and are in plain English Oversee and manage external legal advisors and associated costs Contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes About you Hold a law degree and current practising certificate Bring significant post‑admission legal experience, focused on construction law (7+ years) Demonstrate experience reviewing external legal advice and advising on complex legal issues Experience in infrastructure or major projects environments is highly desired Apply strong commercial judgement with a balanced, risk‑based approach Demonstrate highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, practical legal advice through a commercial lens Communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders Manage a large number of matters concurrently while meeting competing deadlines Adapt to changing business needs and demands Work collaboratively within a small, high‑performing in‑house legal team and bring initiative, energy and enthusiasm to the role Experience leading and developing a team or more junior lawyers is desired but not essential

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