Contracts Legal Counsel
Wood PLC

JOB DESCRIPTION

Wood is recruiting for a Contracts Lead to join its Legal, Contracts, Ethics and Compliance function.This opportunity is Hybrid in Houston, TX

#LI-Hybrid

The Role

Manage and prioritize contract review workload, ensuring alignment with business requirements. Oversee the application of Group Legal and Commercial standards, support the implementation of efficient processes, and provide strategic leadership.

Our Clients and Projects

Designing the future. Transforming the world.

What we can offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to leaders of industry across power, infrastructure, mining, environmental and/or oil and gas industries,
• Flexible working arrangements that balance client, team and individual needs. This opportunity is Hybrid in Houston, TX.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice
• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market.
• Flexible benefits package that can be adapted to suit your lifestyle
• Commitment to continued professional development through development plans tailored to individual needs and interests
• Global connections with leading industry experts around the world who are shaping the standards of our profession
  

RESPONSIBILITIES

At a high level the job objectives are, with limited supervision:

• Manage and prioritise contract review workload across supported business(es) in alignment with business(es) requirements
• Manage the application of relevant Group Legal and Commercial across the supported business, in conjunction with commercial lead(s)
• Assist / support the implementation of common ways of working to maximise value, gain efficiencies and minimise risk to Wood
• Responsible for providing direction, strategy, and leadership to direct reports (if applicable)
• Managing and maintaining key internal interfaces within supported business(es)
• SME in contract law and contracts related policies
• Promote and demonstrate safety leadership behaviours
• Always act ethically and with the utmost integrity
• Champion and promote the application of the Financial Management Framework
• Champion and follow the relevant DOA and Group & BU policies

Manage, support, and deliver, under limited supervision:

• Functional activities within the assigned business(es) including drafting, review, and negotiation of:
  • Confidentiality agreements / NDA's in accordance with business needs
  • Client contracts (bespoke and standard forms) including project specific contracts and MSA's.
  • Drafting and review of financial instruments (Bonds / Letters of Credit, PCG's, Collateral Warranties)
  • MOU's and exclusive arrangements all in accordance with Wood's group wide policies and approval processes.
• Reviewing proposed contract qualifications with other functions, as required, to ensure the balance of risk is appropriate for the associated services and remuneration mode.
• Providing overviews of contract T&Cs and associated issues to senior management and execution teams, as applicable
• Provide guidance to the assigned business(es) on client contracting and negotiation strategies and terms and conditions.
• Engagement with other functions to identify strategies to avoid / mitigate risks associated with contract terms and Contracting Policy deviations.
• The provision of contractual interpretation advice, including financial instruments (Bonds / Letters of Credit, PCG's, Collateral Warranties) to business, as required.
• Support and deliver the timely provision of commercial deliverables (e.g., bonds, PCG's, evidence of insurance) in accordance with contract requirements and Wood Policies.
• Preparation, negotiation, establishment, and administration of Joint Venture and / or Partnering agreements
• Develop and build internal relationships with stakeholders to become a business partner and trusted advisor.
• Provide input to commercial handovers to the execution teams for successfully awarded contracts.
• Drive continuous improvement across the function and look for innovative ways of working.
• Ensures that key relevant Contracts policies are understood and correctly applied within assigned business(es)
• Develop the functions skills and promotion of an environment of learning and empowerment.
• Ensure the timely provision of contracts input to the TGP process, tenders, and proposals, as required.
• Develop main contract flowdown requirements for PO's and subcontracts, in conjunction with supply chain, as required.
• Supporting the pursuit of Wood's assertive claims and/or defending claims against Wood, as required.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the assigned Contracts team members (if any).
• Represent Wood in industry wide contracts initiatives, seminars, and workgroups

QUALIFICATIONS

What makes you remarkable?

At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world's most critical challenges.

Qualifications:

• JD (or international equivalent)
• Currently licensed, admitted to practice, and in good standing in the United States
• Experience and proven track record of contract review, drafting and negotiation in a service company environment.
• In addition to undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience, the individual should have work experience in the industry which would allow understanding of and exposure to key contracting principles.
• Experience in the negotiation and set up of JVs, MOUs, bidding agreements and consortium agreements.
• Experience of leading and managing a team
• Expert knowledge of contract terms, contract principles and drafting and compliance with contracting policies.
• Working knowledge of the Company Finance and HR systems.
• Awareness of all relevant corporate and project procedures.
• Excellent understanding of Client contract structures, principles, and policies.
• Contract experience should cover consulting, engineering and construction projects in at least one of the power, infrastructure, mining, environmental and/or oil and gas industries, EPC, EPCm, standard contract model forms (e.g., NEC, FIDIC, JCT and LOGIC or regional equivalents) preferably in both onshore and offshore environment.
• Relevant Client Facing Contracting Experience: 4-8+ years

Desirable:

• Supervisory Experience: 0-4 years

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