Seaway7 is a global leader in the delivery of fixed offshore wind farm solutions, committed to contributing to an efficient and sustainable energy supply for the future. As a competent and experienced partner, Seaway7 offers specialist foundation, offshore substation, submarine cable and wind turbine installation services and heavy transportation for the renewables sector.
With capabilities and an extensive expertise in project management, engineering, procurement and fabrication, Seaway7 can deliver these services in a comprehensive array of contractual structures including Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI), (integrated) Transportation & Installation (T&I) and Balance of Plant (BoP) to our clients in the offshore wind industry.
Our people are at the heart of our business and are the key to our success. Together we operate a high-end fleet with enabling capabilities and scale, allowing efficient worldwide operations, while providing vessel flexibility and optionality to clients. The active fleet comprises ten vessels with two more high-specification assets, designed for the installation of next generation of wind turbine generators and foundations, under construction.
Seaway7 has an opportunity for a Senior Counsel to join our team on a permanent basis based in our office in Aberdeen, UK or Oslo, Norway or Sutton, England (with occasional business travel).
Specific Key Responsibilities and Activities
As Senior Counsel, you will work directly with and report to Legal Director, UK, Ireland and Asia and become a member of a highly dedicated and skilled legal team with exposure to clients and projects around the world.
As Senior Counsel your key responsibilities will be to provide legal and contractual support, including:
- Reviewing and qualifying conditions of contract and other requirements contained within client invitations to tender.
- Taking the lead to identify and advise tender teams on steps to mitigate potential contractual and commercial risks.
- Participating with other functions to ensure review of the complete bid in order to achieve consistency and avoid double up with commercial/technical qualifications.;
- Preparing contractual risk summaries and attending tender boards (if required) as part to present the contractual risk summary to the management team;
- Supporting seeking appropriate deviations from contracting principles where required.;
- Attending meetings with prospective clients and major suppliers to negotiate and arrive at acceptable terms and conditions of contract.
- Evaluating and including tax and insurance recommendations and reviewing client-provided CAR insurance.
- Drafting, reviewing and revising other types of agreements including confidentiality agreements, mutual hold harmless agreements and other legal documents relating to tenders.
- Reviewing wording of bank guarantees/parent company guarantees and preparing qualifications as required.
- Drafting, reviewing and revising terms and conditions of general commercial, frame and service contracts.
- Reviewing, qualifying, drafting and negotiating general legal agreements including joint bidding agreements, joint venture agreements, consortia, vessel charters and other types of contractual documents and agreements generally used in the offshore fixed wind construction industry.
- Providing guidance to contracts, supply chain and project personnel on contractual wording/risk mitigation and advising on contractual interpretation.
- Providing corporate legal support including occasional support on company secretarial matters.
- Commenting on and revising standard agreements and participating in or instigating other business improvement initiatives.
- Delivering ad hoc training to other functions.
- Supporting peers and management and providing legal advice and support, anticipating and managing legal risks associated with the business strategy and operations.
- Advising on and ensuring claims and disputes are handled in such a way that minimizes risks and is cost effective.
- Providing support on ethics & compliance issues, ensuring that the Company policies and procedures are adhered to.
- Participating in managing litigations for the organisation.
- Carrying out other in-house legal related tasks.
- Attending the weekly legal team call and occasional offsite training events.
Qualifications:
- Qualified lawyer - Minimum honours LLB in Law (or equivalent - English or Scottish) is essential (other common law, German or Norwegian equivalent qualifications also considered).
Experience:
- Extensive experience as an in-house counsel or comparable law firm experience.
- Prior in-house experience with an EPCI contractor. Experience in renewables and offshore construction is highly desired.
- Experience of reviewing, advising on and negotiating complex tenders involving multiple stakeholders is essential.
- Relevant previous experience in a commercial / contracting environment with strong commercial awareness and effective negotiation skills are essential.
- Experience of advising on contentious matters and disputes.
- Knowledge of standard industry contracts, such as FIDIC, BIMCO and LOGIC as well as knowledge of a variety of contract documentation such as, framework agreements, supply contracts, JV’s, consortiums, partnership, NDA’s, etc.
- Good understanding of construction terminology, progress calculation methods, programmes of work and project timelines and risks.
- Understanding of contracting under English law. German law experience would be a plus.
Interpersonal / Self-Management:
- Excellent communication skills in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to identify risks and propose alternative strategies in order to mitigate risks while accomplishing the preferred path forward for the business if possible.
- Ability to multi-task and oversee multiple projects simultaneously with conflicting schedules.
- Ability to work successfully in a dynamic team environment across departments.
- Ability and willingness to timely meet fluid and changing priorities.
- Ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality.
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong planning, analytical, negotiation, and organizational skills.
- Strong ethical values and willingness to raise concerns to internal team members.
As a person, you are service-minded, always aiming at delivering high quality, optimum support. You have a structured, analytical and target orientated approach to your assignments, an open-minded and cooperative personality, always keeping in mind what is best for the company.
Seaway7 are committed to creating a diverse workforce and we look to offer excellent career opportunities as well providing a wide range benefits and a flexible working environment.