Senior Legal Counsel

The provision of pragmatic, business-focused legal advice across Peterson’s UK and international energy supply-chain operations.

You will advise on a broad range of contractual, commercial, operational and compliance matters – supporting business leaders, driving contract discipline, and helping shape the company’s legal and governance framework as it grows and transitions toward renewable energy services.

This role is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership of matters from instruction through to completion with minimal supervision.

ROLES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting team members and acting as the initial escalation point for contractual queries within the team.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer and supplier agreements, logistics and offshore service contracts, and collaboration, agency and framework agreements.
• Providing support on commercial property transactions, including drafting, review and negotiation of leases and licences.
• Supporting management with the resolution of disputes and claims; instructing and overseeing external legal advisers when required, ensuring quality and cost control.
• Delivering internal training on contract awareness and other relevant legal topics.
• Driving compliance programmes, including anti-fraud and data protection, and delivering associated training.
• Contributing to legal initiatives such as contracting standards and approval matrices.
• Undertaking any other duties as may be reasonably required, provided you have the necessary training and competency levels.
• Complying with Level 1 of HSE Employee Responsibility and Accountability.
• Complying with Level 1 of Peterson Values & Behaviours.

PERFORMANCE MEASURE

Performance will be reviewed against objectives set during the employee appraisal process, including feedback received from internal and external customers.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualified solicitor with 6+ years’ PQE, with previous significant experience of commercial contracts gained in-house in an energy industry role, preferably within the supply chain, or within a respected private practice firm.
• Strong working knowledge of energy industry contracts is preferred, including LOGIC, FIDIC and/or NEC.
• In-house experience preferred.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT COMPETENCIES

• Proven commercial contracts skills gained in a progressive business environment.
• Strong policy design and implementation skills.
• Knowledge of legislative requirements relating to compliance.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to develop close and effective relationships.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Established in 1920, the organisation has expanded internationally with facilities at a number of prominent ports. The company is part of a wider group operating in over 70 countries with approximately 4,000 people globally.