About CPB

CPB Contractors, part of CIMIC Group, is one of Australia’s leading construction companies, responsible for the delivery of many iconic projects in Australia and overseas. 

Combining the expertise and track record formerly delivered by Leighton Contractors and Thiess, we deliver projects spanning all key sectors of the construction industry, including renewable energy projects, roads, rail, tunnelling, defence and building.

Our mission is to generate sustainable returns for our shareholders by delivering projects for our clients, while providing safe, rewarding and fulfilling careers for our people. We need people who are talented, motivated and disciplined, and who have a strong work ethic that drives them to succeed.

The Opportunity

We have an excellent opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join our Corporate Legal team in a back-end construction role on a permanent basis. In this role, you will engage in all aspects of project delivery and procurement, while providing strategic advice to internal management and stakeholders on dispute avoidance and claims management throughout both the upstream and downstream phases of our projects. As part of our team, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work alongside and gain invaluable experience from our leading in-house lawyers, including former top-tier firm partners. This exposure will provide you with top-level insights and mentorship, accelerating your professional growth within a collaborative and high-performing legal team. This role can be based in Sydney or Melbourne and will support our team with the delivery of expert legal services on iconic construction projects, across Australia.

The primary purpose of role is to provide commercially relevant legal advice in respect of construction related disputes, project delivery and other general legal support to CPB Contractors.

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Assisting and advising in the management of upstream and downstream disputes
• Assisting and advising with strategies and negotiation in respect of disputes
• Drafting and reviewing variations, EOT claims, payment schedules and legal/commercial correspondence
• Liaising with key stakeholders within the legal and commercial team and the broader business
• Provide advice and assistance in conducting claims or defence of claims in court and arbitration
• Review documentary evidence and interview witnesses, where necessary taking statements
• Attend negotiation meetings and other forums for resolving disputes
• Instruct and engage with external solicitors, counsel and experts
• Assist with conducting work health and safety / environmental incident investigations under legal privilege
• Assist with the conduct of the defence of personal injury / workers compensation claims
• Assist in responding to subpoenas for production and other notices of request for information / documentation by government regulators

Our Requirements

• A minimum of 3 - 4 years PQE, ideally with experience in back-end disputes in the construction industry at a well-regarded law firm or similar in-house role
• Ability to deliver commercially minded advice, as well as having managed dispute resolution and litigation, including dealing with external providers
• Self-driven and capable of working both autonomously and in a team environment
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent
• An Australian practising certificate
• In-depth understanding of the legal aspects of construction projects
• Excellent communication, organisational, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

What We Offer You

We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment in which your expertise can truly make an impact, and you’ll be supported by lawyers and construction professionals, highly experienced in their fields, to develop your capability and expertise.

• Competitive salary package
• Genuine mentorship, career pathways and focus on your professional growth
• Corporate discounts including health insurance (Medibank), travel & retail products
• Salary continuance insurance (SCI)
• AVA Vitality membership
• Office based role with flexibility options.
• The chance to work on some of Australia’s most significant construction projects.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, Veterans and active-duty armed forces personnel, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds. CPB Contractors is proud to hold the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Citation - Employer of Choice for Gender Equality.

We’re always looking for ways to make CPB Contractors a more rewarding place to work and offer a unique set of benefits, including:

• A rewarding career where we support your development, training and promote from within.
• Opportunities across all construction sectors so that there is always an opportunity suitable for the next stage in your career.
• Competitive remuneration and excellent benefits including a health and wellbeing program, discount portal and company-funded salary continuance insurance.
• Flexible work arrangements and a culture that values diversity and innovation.

Please note: This role is being sourced through CPB Contractors directly and we will not accept applications via external recruitment agencies.