Legal Counsel

Job description / Role

Overview

KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration through conceptualization to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 60 years we've led with vision, contributing to many of the world's most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 51st largest global architecture firm and the #1 firm in the Middle East Region in their 2024 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us. Why?

When you join KEO, you'll discover more than just a job - you'll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility and career development and does so within a culture that supports company-wide health and well-being through on-demand counselling services and regular workplace clinics. You will be invited to celebrate community events such as sports days, fun-runs, in-house sports teams and beach clean-ups. In addition to your competitive package and benefits, you will have access to a suite of policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, and employee referral rewards.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Legal in the coordination of KEO activities, in conjunction with external legal counsel (as appropriate), related to any arbitration or other legal proceedings in which KEO is involved.
• Assist with the preparation of briefs to and liaison with external legal counsel.
• Undertake legal research and keep abreast of legal developments/legislative changes relevant to KEO's business internal review and negotiation of all client appointments against a standard company checklist.
• Assist the Head of Legal in providing advice to KEO's Executive/Senior Management on claims and contractual issues including, bonds, insurances and so on.
• Review of RFP/ITT terms and contract conditions (including preparing KEO draft qualifications in accordance with the established procedure for consideration by the leading Division's bid team).
• Review of tender/contract insurance requirements (in conjunction with Finance Division).
• Review of tender/contract bond requirements (in conjunction with Finance Division).
• Review of letters of award or contract documents for signature (in conjunction with the relevant Division) including preparation of any necessary contractual adjustments.
• Preparation of/advice concerning JV agreements, MOUs, LOIs, LOAs, NDAs, client/KEO services agreements, KEO/sub-consultant agreements, and other third-party agreements.
• Negotiations with the clients, consultants and contractors on contract terms and conditions and on all project related issues of contractual significance.
• Ensure the terms of the contract are followed and effect supplemental agreements if required.
• Contract interpretation and guidance in contract administration during the course of live projects, e.g., to ensure that any formal notices that may be required under a contract are properly and timely sent.
• Assist in the preparation of major claims to be submitted by KEO to clients or other parties.
• Assist in the defense of claims against KEO made by third parties.
• Participate in senior management meetings including formulation of business plans in the region.
• Conduct seminars and training programs for other disciplines.
• Assist in presentations for new projects.
• Prepare proposals and assist in finalizing the financial modules for new CMDRS related projects.
• Participate in the publication of legal/contractual publications as part of the firm's marketing strategy for the claims management and dispute resolution services.
• Prepare contracts for execution and secure supplemental agreements and variations. Contract interpretation and guidance in contract administration during the course of live projects, e.g. to ensure formal notices under the contract are properly and timely sent.
• Peer review, prior to submission, of any significant letter or claim prepared by KEO project teams.
• Assist with the preparation or review of reports.
• Assist with debt recovery from clients and pursuing payments and contracts close out.
• Assist in overseeing KEO's disputes and coordinate with the external lawyers and consultants.
• Certain amount of travel is involved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law.
• Engineering qualification with additional legal qualification may be considered.
• Master's degree is considered a plus.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in contract advisory roles within construction, engineering, construction claims, or project management companies.

About the Company

KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration – through conceptualization – to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 57 years we’ve led with vision, contributing to many of the world’s most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is ranked by ENR in the Top 225 International Design Firms; in the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms; and by World Architecture as 50th largest global architecture firm and #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2021 WAS 100 Survey.

We invite you to join us.