Senior Legal Counsel, Major Projects

Stantec is seeking an experienced lawyer to serve as a strategic legal advisor for complex alternative project delivery and other strategic project pursuits across North America. 

In this role, you will partner with project leaders, business leaders, risk management, and external partners from project pursuit to delivery and close-out of complex and/or high-value projects with a focus on alternative project delivery (APD) models such as Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, Public-Private Partnerships, Integrated Project Delivery, and Alliance.  

This is a strategic role that combines legal expertise with strong commercial judgement to enable project success while protecting Stantec’s interest and proactively managing project risks. 

Key Responsibilities 

Contract Review & Negotiation 

• Lead the review, negotiation and drafting of contracts and other legal documentation such as teaming agreements, joint venture agreements, design services agreements and subconsultant agreements.  
• Identify legal and commercial risks and recommend appropriate protections and mitigations. 
• Develop a deep understanding of Stantec’s business and the specific proposed project opportunity to support the team in reviewing scope documents, commercial terms, risk allocation, change management process, and payment terms. 
• Partner with the project team to escalate significant legal or commercial risks to senior legal leadership, as appropriate.  

Project Pursuit Support 

• Provide guidance during proposal development and contract formation. 
• Partner with pursuit teams to evaluate legal and commercial risks and opportunities and support go/no-go decisions. 
• Participate in client, contractor, partner, owner negotiations throughout pursuit and award phases. 

Project Delivery and Close-Out Support 

• Provide legal advice regarding potential claims, disputes, and project-related conflicts and recommend strategies for practical resolution. 
• Assist with contract interpretation and issue resolution during project execution. 
• Support project teams on issues that arise during project delivery including investigating issues and problems and drafting notices and formal correspondence. 

Business Partnership and Guidance 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to project leaders and business leaders. 
• Build and strengthen relationships with Project teams by cultivating a deep understanding of Stantec’s business and being proactive in providing valuable risk management practices for Stantec’s Projects. 
• Provide targeted training for project staff and other support teams. 
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to alternative project delivery. 
• Support with review and development of resources, templates and reference materials 

Qualifications 

• Minimum 10 years of legal experience, including substantial alternative project delivery experience 
• Member in good standing of a provincial/state bar 
• Proven ability to advise teams on strategic legal and commercial matters 
• Exemplary drafting skills with attention to detail 
• Proactive, can-do and collaborative attitude is a must; 
• Highly developed business sense 
• Excellent communicator with a practical approach 
• Familiar with technical aspects of design and construction 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities  

At Stantec, we have some of the world’s leading professionals passionate about enabling our business to be its best. Our business teams include finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, marketing, corporate development, HSSE, real estate, legal, and practice services. We bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise and create a caring culture where everyone can thrive. Through teamwork and collaboration, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Stantec every day.