Construction Contracts Manager / Construction Legal Advisor

A leading construction business is seeking an experienced Construction Contracts Manager / Construction Legal Advisor to provide legal and contractual support to its commercial and pre-construction teams. The role will focus on reviewing, negotiating and drafting construction contracts, identifying commercial and contractual risks, and providing practical legal advice to support successful project delivery.

Working closely with internal stakeholders, external legal advisers and clients, the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring contracts are commercially sound, appropriately managed and aligned with the organisation’s risk profile.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate construction contracts, commercial agreements and associated legal documentation.
• Provide commercially focused legal advice to internal teams, ensuring contractual compliance and effective risk management.
• Review tender documentation, identifying contractual risks, liabilities and commercial opportunities, while advising the wider pre-construction team.
• Lead or support negotiations with clients and their legal representatives from tender stage through to contract execution.
• Prepare and negotiate preliminary agreements, including Letters of Intent and Pre-Construction Services Agreements, before progressing to the main construction contract.
• Produce detailed contract summaries for project teams, outlining key contractual obligations, critical dates, liabilities and risk considerations.
• Review consultant appointments, collateral warranties, specialist subcontract agreements and associated legal documentation where required.
• Provide ongoing contractual support throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring contractual obligations are understood and managed effectively.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants, insurers, external legal advisers and internal stakeholders.
• Support the wider business with contractual and legal matters as required.

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance legal risk against business objectives.
• The ability to interpret complex contractual issues and provide practical, solution-focused advice.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Requirements

Essential

• Degree qualified Solicitor.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in construction law, contracts management or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of standard forms of construction contracts, particularly JCT Design & Build contracts.
• Experience negotiating bespoke amendments, collateral warranties, novation agreements, performance bonds and parent company guarantees.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Sound understanding of UK construction legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to provide commercially pragmatic legal advice aligned to business needs.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary alongside an excellent benefits package.

For more information, reach out to Ciara at Artemis Human Capital.