Join to apply for the Legal Counsel, Central Europe role at WSP in the UK & Ireland

About the role

As Legal Counsel you will report to the Regional Legal Counsel for Northern Europe and work with the wider Central Europe legal team to support WSP’s strategic objectives. You will be based in the United Kingdom and will be responsible for ensuring client contracts are reviewed and risks are managed, including implementing training, policies and procedures within the business.

Key responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate legal documents between WSP and its clients and suppliers, including professional services agreements, reliance letters, framework agreements and warranties.
• Provide legal advice and support to the WSP business.
• Maintain WSP standard terms and conditions for use with clients and suppliers wherever possible.
• Support the business to manage claims and disputes, collating documentation, working with the business to articulate facts and circumstances and liaising with the wider Central European legal team to notify claims to professional indemnity insurers.
• Implement policies and procedures around client contract review, signature etc.
• Provide advice, support and training to the business to ensure compliance with WSP’s processes and policies including the Risk Grading Tool and the Delegation of Authority policy.
• Ensure WSP complies with national as well as local statutes and regulations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders across Legal, Ethics and Compliance, Insurance, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Communications and Finance functions.
• Prepare and submit reports on key metrics and initiatives.
• Manage and deliver training to upskill the business to better understand contractual risks.
• Minimise and manage reliance on external legal counsel, utilising agreed protocols and managing budgets to minimise and control costs.
• Support the implementation of WSP’s strategy in Central Europe.

What we will be looking for

• Qualified solicitor (or an equivalent qualification) with demonstrable Post‑Qualification experience.
• Experience of working in a large multi‑national corporate environment balancing local requirements with considerations relevant to a large international company.
• Fluency in German and English is essential.
• Experience within an in‑house legal team implementing policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of contract law and experience negotiating contracts with clients and vendors, including with outside counsels representing them.
• Demonstrable track record of providing commercial, pragmatic and high‑quality legal advice.
• Exceptional communication skills for a collaborative and interactive environment, including working at distance from other team members.
• Ability to explain complex and sometimes challenging issues in simple ways.
• Strong interpersonal skills, resourcefulness and an ability to participate in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Experience of working in the built and natural environment sector is a plus.

Benefits

WSP offers a hybrid working policy with flexibility to work from home two days a week, opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK, and a range of support for work‑life balance, health and wellbeing, and professional development.

Our Inclusivity & Belonging statement: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences.

Our Health & Wellbeing programmes include a virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, a gym membership scheme, and a menopause support package.

EEO Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria; please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.