Senior legal counsel

McMahon Services is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join our Legal team to provide strategic legal support across a diverse portfolio of construction, industrial and environmental services projects.

This is a senior role focused on partnering with operational and executive stakeholders, providing commercially pragmatic legal advice and leading contract negotiations, disputes and risk management activities across the business.

McMahon Services is one of Australia's largest privately owned construction, industrial and environmental services organisations, operating across Australia and New Zealand with over 1,200 employees.

Our reputation is built on integrity, strong relationships and delivering certainty for our customers. As our business continues to grow, the Legal Team plays a critical role in supporting project delivery, managing risk and enabling commercial success.

Reporting to the Head of Legal, you will act as a trusted advisor to allocated Customer Streams, developing strong business partnerships and providing timely, commercially focused legal support.

You will manage contract reviews and negotiations, advise on disputes and project claims, oversee external legal service providers and contribute to the ongoing development of legal systems, processes and compliance initiatives.

• Provide strategic and commercially focused legal advice across the business
• Draft, negotiate and review contracts, subcontracts and commercial agreements
• Lead contract negotiations and support project delivery teams throughout the project lifecycle
• Manage disputes, claims, litigation and insurance matters with a focus on early resolution
• Review and advise on variations, extensions of time and contractual claims
• Manage external legal providers and control associated legal expenditure
• Develop and deliver legal training and awareness programs
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, legal compliance and risk management frameworks
• Assist with Board reporting and strategic legal initiatives

• Law degree and admission to practice law in Australia
• Minimum 6 years' post-admission experience within private practice and/or in-house legal environments
• Strong experience in contract negotiation, commercial law and dispute management
• Ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice
• Experience within construction, infrastructure, engineering, industrial or resources sectors
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to mentor and support junior legal professionals

• Experience managing complex project disputes and claims
• In-house legal experience supporting operational business units
• Strong understanding of risk management and governance frameworks

• Opportunity to collaborate closely with executive leaders and project teams
• Exposure to diverse and complex legal matters across multiple industries
• Senior role with genuine influence on business outcomes
• Supportive and collaborative legal team environment
• Values‐driven culture focused on Reputation, Integrity, Safety and Excellence

If you're looking for a senior legal role where you can influence outcomes, partner with the business and contribute to major projects, apply now.

No recruitment agencies please.

At McMahon Services, we embrace diversity and inclusion as fundamental values. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation, creativity and a deeper understanding of the communities we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.