Senior Legal Counsel-Alternative Delivery and Construction

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day!

That’s why we pledge to support and empower all our people to make a positive impact when working hand in hand with our business to motivate change. We'll help you accelerate your career and empower you with the right technology and training as you bring ideas and projects to life.

Together with your colleagues, clients, and partners, you'll make an impact that is felt by all. 

About GHD:

We are a leading multidisciplinary professional services and consulting engineering firm operating across Canada and internationally. Our teams deliver complex infrastructure, transportation, energy, environmental, and building projects through a wide range of delivery models. We are committed to technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation in everything we do.

Who are we looking for?   

GHD has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel -Alternative Delivery and Construction. We are seeking a seasoned Senior Legal Counsel to join our in-house legal team and serve as the primary legal advisor on major alternative delivery projects across the country. This is a high-impact role for an experienced construction lawyer who thrives in a dynamic, project-driven environment and who brings demonstrated expertise in the full spectrum of alternative project delivery models, including public-private partnerships (P3/PPP), alliance contracting, integrated project delivery (IPD), design-build (DB), and progressive design-build (PDB).

Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, the successful candidate will work closely with leadership, project leaders, business groups, risk management, and commercial teams across multiple service lines and geographies. The role demands a strategic thinker and pragmatic advisor who can manage legal risk on large, complex mandates while supporting business development and team growth.

This position can be based in most major office locations across Canada.

Our Hybrid Work Model:

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

In an ever-changing world, it requires creativity and innovation to stay ahead.

We’re seeking the curious, those who are stimulated by fresh thinking and a desire to shape our communities in new, positive ways. See what the power of commitment can do for you!

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in the following:  

The Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for providing day-to-day legal support and strategic advice on the firm's most significant alternative delivery pursuits and projects across Canada. This includes reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts, joint venture agreements, teaming agreements, subconsultant agreements, and other project-related commercial arrangements. The successful candidate will advise project teams on risk allocation, liability, indemnification, insurance, limitation of liability, and dispute resolution provisions in the context of major infrastructure and building projects.

A core aspect of the role involves leading the legal analysis and negotiation of project agreements under P3/PPP, alliance, IPD, DB, and PDB delivery frameworks, including advising on the unique risk profiles and contractual structures associated with each model. The Senior Legal Counsel will support proposal and pursuit teams during the procurement phase, including reviewing requests for qualifications (RFQs) and requests for proposals (RFPs), advising on commercial terms, and assisting in the preparation of compliant and competitive submissions.

The role also requires building and mentoring an existing team of legal professionals to support the growing volume and complexity of alternative delivery work. The successful candidate will develop and maintain precedent documents, contract playbooks, risk matrices, and other tools to improve consistency and efficiency across the legal function. They will also collaborate with external counsel where required, managing outside legal spend and ensuring alignment with the firm's commercial objectives and risk tolerance.

In addition, the Senior Legal Counsel will provide guidance on claims management, dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation support as needed. They will monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the construction and infrastructure sectors and advise the business on emerging legal risks and opportunities. The role includes contributing to the firm's broader legal and compliance functions, including corporate governance, privacy, employment, and insurance matters, as required.

What you will bring to the team: 

• The ideal candidate holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognised Canadian law school and is a member in good standing of a provincial law society, with the ability to obtain membership in additional jurisdictions as needed. 
• A minimum of ten (10) years of post-call legal experience is required, with a substantial portion of that experience focused on construction law and major project delivery.
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience advising on alternative delivery projects is essential. 
• The successful candidate will have a proven track record of working on P3/PPP, alliance, IPD, DB, and PDB projects, ideally from the perspective of an engineering consultant, design professional, or constructor. Experience across multiple service lines — such as transportation, transit, water and wastewater, energy, buildings, and environmental — is highly valued.
• Bilingualism in English and French is important for this role, given the firm's national presence and the volume of projects and clients in Québec. The ability to review, draft, and negotiate contracts in both official languages is a significant asset.
• The candidate must possess strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to build, develop, and manage legal teams in a corporate environment. 
• Experience working in-house at a consulting engineering firm, construction company, or infrastructure developer is preferred, though candidates with significant private practice experience in construction and infrastructure law will also be considered. 
• A collaborative, business-oriented mindset and a willingness to engage directly with project delivery teams and clients are essential.

The role provides the opportunity to work on some of Canada's most significant and complex infrastructure projects alongside talented professionals across multiple disciplines. We support professional development, continuing legal education, and active participation in industry associations. 

The salary range for this position is $134,629-$223,781. The posted salary range represents the expected hiring range for GHD locations in its major city centres. Ranges may vary for positions in other locations. At GHD, base salary is determined by your skills, experience, qualifications and work location. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and adhere to all relevant pay transparency legislation.  

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting is just getting started and may be used during the process to improve efficiency and fairness. Your application may be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team. While AI supports some steps through the process, all final hiring decisions are made by humans

As a diverse and inclusive organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.

This position is for an existing vacancy.

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way.
We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD!

#LI-TS1
 

Note: This profile provides a market aligned view of this job’s typical core requirements, informed by Korn Ferry’s Success Profile methodology, and will evolve over time.

Provides advanced legal partnering that strengthens business decisions and organisational compliance. Advises on legal issues, conducts analysis and supports delivery of governance and commercial activities. Applies GHD’s legal frameworks accurately, enabling reliable insights and consistent legal practice. Expands specialist expertise preparing for broader legal leadership or partnering responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities describe the typical accountabilities and scope of work for this job,  while recognising that individual objectives are set with the manager and may vary over time.

• Document Preparation: Write and edit material for various target populations, tailoring the tone and content to match the needs and expectations of each audience.
• External Communications: Manage certain aspects of the external communications system with some guidance from senior colleagues. This could mean being responsible for the development or operation of the system.
• Information and Business Advice: Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving complex or contentious queries and issues and enabling others to take appropriate actions.
• Internal Client Relationship Management: Manage relationships with internal clients and act as a business partner to them, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust, and managing the deployment of appropriate internal and/or external resources to support in delivering business strategy and plans.
• Internal Communications: Develop and/or deliver a plan for significant aspects of internal communications with guidance from senior colleagues.
• Legal: Manage the provision of a significant legal service specialty.
• Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Policy Development and Implementation: Develop procedures and interpret and apply policy for area of expertise to achieve specified outputs, or advise the wider business on application of policy, then monitor implementation of those procedures within the organization.
• Recommendations: Advise others on how to design new processes and systems that meet professional standards.
• Solutions Analysis: Identify and evaluate complex, expertise-led solutions against a range of criteria to find the ones that best meet business needs.

Competencies

Competencies describe the observable behaviours that differentiate effective performance in this job and guide expectations, feedback, and development discussions.

• Business Insight – Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. For example, clearly understands how own activities relate to critical business drivers. Monitors business news and market changes for impact on the business or on own expertise area; uses this to shape decisions.
• Communicates Effectively – Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, tailors communication content and style to the needs of others. Pays attention to others' input and perspectives, asks questions, and summarizes to confirm understanding.
• Courage – Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. For example, shares own ideas and points of view openly, regardless of potential criticism or risk; shows conviction when faced with adversity and challenges; raises difficult topics to be sure they are addressed.
• Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, measures and tracks team's and own performance, and helps the team learn from success, failure, and feedback. Adheres to, and enforces, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Instills Trust – Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, builds a team with an exemplary reputation for reliability and for meeting even difficult commitments. Builds trust among people and groups by ensuring honest and up-front communication; maintains transparency.
• Manages Ambiguity – Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. For example, responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.
• Manages Complexity – Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations. Accurately defines the key elements of complex, ambiguous situations.
• Optimizes Work Processes – Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, uses metrics and benchmarks to monitor accuracy and quality. Takes steps to make methods productive and efficient. Promptly and effectively addresses process breakdowns.
• Persuades – Uses compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others. For example, states position with conviction and persuasive rationale. Negotiates skillfully; wins concessions without the other party feeling harmed or frustrated. Achieves a good balance between defending own position and adapting to others' needs.
• Plans and Aligns – Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, outlines clear plans that put actions in a logical sequence; conveys some time frames. Aligns own work with relevant workgroups. Takes some steps to reduce bottlenecks and speed up the work.
• Strategic Mindset – Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. For example, keeps up to date on current and future industry trends and market forces and considers these when making decisions. Clearly identifies and prioritizes efforts and initiatives to have the greatest strategic impact on the organization.

Skills

Skills reflect the technical, professional, and functional capabilities required to perform the job effectively at the expected level, and guide assessment and development.

• Action Planning – Operates as a recognized expert to review and evaluate recommendations and requirements and to develop appropriate plans or deliver actions required. Typically known as a subject matter authority.
• Assessment – Works at an advanced level to assimilate and understand data and information from various sources in order to draw appropriate conclusions and make relevant recommendations. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Creative Problem Solving – Works at an advanced level to find practical solutions for unexpected client problems. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Desktop Publishing – Works at an advanced level to create documents using page-layout software on a personal/desktop computer. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Effectively Presents Solutions – Works at an advanced level to communicate and articulate potential resolutions or strategies in a clear, compelling, and tailored manner to address specific challenges or meet organizational needs. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Law and Regulations – Works at an advanced level to professionally interpret and apply knowledge of laws. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Legal Communication – Works at an advanced level to communicate effectively on legal matters. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Legal Research – Works at an advanced level to research and apply legal concepts and information. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Planning and Organizing – Works at an advanced level to plan, organize, prioritize and oversee activities to efficiently meet objectives. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Policy and procedures – Works at an advanced level to monitor, interpret and understand policies and procedures and ensure their alignment with organizational strategies and work objectives. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Policy and Regulation – Operates as a recognized expert to interpret and apply knowledge of laws, regulations and policies in area of expertise. Typically known as a subject matter authority.
• Presentation Skills – Works at an advanced level to communicate and deliver information verbally in a clear, concise and compelling manner to other people. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Systems and Tools - Legal – Works at an advanced level to effectively utilize legal research databases, case management software, and other relevant technology to conduct efficient legal research, manage casework, and facilitate communication with clients and colleagues. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Verbal Communication – Operates as a recognized expert to express ideas, request actions, formulate plans, & policies by means of clear and effective verbal communications. Typically known as a subject matter authority.
• Written Communication – Operates as a recognized expert to express ideas, request actions, formulate plans, & policies by means of clear and effective writing. Typically known as a subject matter authority.

Education

• Master's Degree or Equivalent Level

Experience

• General Experience: Wide and deep experience providing expert competence (Over 10 years to 15 years)
• Managerial Experience: Experience of general supervision of more junior colleagues (7 to 12 months)