Legal Counsel, Central Europe - Western Region

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At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Job Summary

WSP has a presence in ten countries across Central Europe (the Region). The Region is divided into three sub-regions: (i) Northern Region comprising the Netherlands, Germany and Poland; (ii) Western Region comprising France and Switzerland and (iii) Southern Region comprising Italy, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Hungary. The sub-regions work together to face our local and international clients as one WSP in Central Europe. As Legal Counsel for the Central Europe, Western Region you will be working with the Head of Legal to support the growth and development of the business by reviewing project related contracts and commercial documents, principally related to the business in Switzerland.

The Legal Counsel reports to the Head of Legal for Central Europe and maintains strong relationships with the local leadership team in Switzerland.

Core Functions

The Legal Counsel will be required to:

1. Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts including professional services agreements, reliance letters, framework agreements and warranties (contracts and correspondence will be written in French or German).
2. Support the Head of Legal Central Europe to proactively manage claims and disputes arising in relation to WSP's Swiss business.
3. Provide legal and commercial advice and support to WSP's Swiss business.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders within WSP across Legal, Ethics and Compliance, Insurance, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Communications and Finance functions.

A suitable candidate will typically have:

1. Legal qualifications
2. Fluency in English and French and German
3. Good knowledge of contract law and experience negotiating contracts with clients and vendors, including with outside counsels representing them
4. Familiarity with contractual issues including limits of liability, indemnities and warranties
5. Demonstrable track record of providing commercial, pragmatic and high-quality legal advice
6. Exceptional communication skills for this collaborative and interactive environment
7. Ability to explain complex and sometimes challenging issues in simple ways
8. Ability to work well independently, coupled with strong interpersonal skills, resourcefulness and an ability to participate in a highly collaborative team environment

The following will be highly regarded:

1. Experience of the engineering, transport, environmental, built environment or construction sectors