Senior Legal Counsel - Defence Projects

About the role

KBR is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to lead its Australian Legal team and partner with senior business leaders on some of Australia's most significant Defence projects. The role combines strategic legal leadership with hands-on involvement in complex, high-value and high-risk matters, working closely with the Vice President, Legal to drive legal strategy, strengthen governance and embed commercially focused legal solutions. It is a permanent full-time position based in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of legal services across KBR's Australian operations, supporting Defence projects
• Provide strategic legal advice on complex, high-risk and business-critical matters
• Lead the drafting, negotiation, review and approval of complex commercial, government and quasi-government contracts
• Partner with business leaders on major bids and tenders, advising on contracting strategy, negotiations and risk allocation
• Advise on Australian Government contracting and procurement frameworks, including fixed-price and cost-reimbursable contracts
• Support strategic transactions such as joint ventures, alliances and commercial partnerships
• Oversee disputes, claims and investigations, coordinating with external legal counsel where required
• Develop legal policies, processes, templates and governance frameworks, and manage allocated legal budgets including external legal spend

Required profile

• Admission as an Australian legal practitioner with a current practising certificate
• Extensive post-qualification experience, including significant in-house legal experience
• Deep expertise in Australian Government contracting, commercial agreements and regulatory compliance
• Experience advising on complex commercial negotiations, joint ventures, disputes and strategic projects
• Australian Baseline security clearance or higher, and an AGSVA clearance as a Major Service Provider to the Australian Defence Forces, plus compliance with ITAR

Required skills

• Strong commercial acumen and pragmatic, business-focused legal advice
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentoring others

What we offer

• Certified Great Place To Work workplace culture
• Flexible working and competitive salary with annual reviews
• Paid parental leave, income protection and salary packaging / novated leasing
• Employee stock purchase plans and career development with online learning and mentorship