Legal Counsel

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

Mott MacDonald’s support services are the driving force behind our organisation enabling us to run efficiently and effectively. The team works collaboratively to offer specialist advice, best practice and technology to all areas of our business specifically designed for our global reach.

Overview of the role

We are looking for a commercially minded in-house lawyer to join our EUNA Legal team. This is a broad and exciting role with exposure to a wide range of legal matters associated with Mott MacDonald’s activities.

The successful candidate will have strong experience in commercial law, gained in private practice or in-house. In this role, you will work on a variety of matters, including reviewing and negotiating professional services contracts, company law, mergers and acquisitions, construction-related contracts, technology and software agreements, intellectual property, data protection, and dispute resolution. We’ll provide support and training to help you develop in these areas.

You will work closely with project teams and senior stakeholders, providing pragmatic, business-focused advice.

This role offers the opportunity to join a legal team shortlisted in the 2026 Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe for building future-ready capability within a global legal function. You will work in a team that supports practical learning, responsible use of technology and collaboration across regions.

This is a hybrid role working three days per week in the Croydon office.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements, including consultancy agreements, framework agreements, and joint venture agreements
• Advising on governance requirements and assisting project teams in obtaining necessary internal approvals
• Providing clear, practical advice on applicable laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions
• Maintaining and updating legal templates and guidance to reflect current legislation and best practice
• Delivering concise, tailored training on recurrent topics and new regulations
• Supporting the business on disputes and insurance matters, including liaising with external counsel where necessary
• Assisting with group projects such as company formations and occasional corporate transactions (e.g., JV set-up, acquisitions), working alongside finance and strategy teams
• Developing knowledge of construction-related contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC) with support from the team

Candidate specification

Requirements:

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales, or foreign-qualified lawyer with a clear plan to qualify in England & Wales
• Circa NQ – 5 years’ PQE (guideline only; equivalent experience considered)
• Experience gained either in private practice with a top national firm or in-house
• Strong experience in commercial contracts and the ability to apply legal concepts pragmatically
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Ability to act with integrity and grow into a trusted advisor
• Nice to have: familiarity with construction contracts, software/SaaS agreements, IP and data protection issues

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.