Legal Counsel

Birmingham, Staffordshire
Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Overview

Hitachi Energy has an exciting opening for an experienced and high-caliber transactional Legal Counsel (minimum 2 years + PQE) with a proven track record in major construction and engineering projects, to play an active part in the energy transition and contribute to advancing a sustainable energy future for all. The successful candidate will be based in Birmingham, United Kingdom (working remotely) and be part of the growing team supporting the Grid Integration business unit for the UK & Ireland.

You will provide advice and be part of the project teams on legal and integrity matters, particularly in relation to high-value complex tenders and projects, including High Voltage Direct Current Interconnectors, offshore projects, onshore substations, and grid and power quality solutions. You will draft and negotiate EPC agreements to ensure full compliance with Hitachi Group directives and apply your legal experience to represent our interests, supported by the Hitachi Group risk management governance.

As a member of the UK & European legal team, you will be integrated into the global Hitachi Energy legal counsel network and will collaborate on a case-by-case basis with international colleagues on cross-jurisdictional projects, sharing experiences and knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and be part of project teams on legal and integrity matters, particularly for high-value complex tenders and projects, including HVDC interconnectors, offshore projects, onshore substations, and grid and power quality solutions.
• Draft and negotiate EPC agreements to ensure full compliance with Hitachi Group directives and apply legal experience to represent Hitachi Energy interests, supported by risk management governance.
• Collaborate with the UK & European legal team and with international colleagues on cross-jurisdictional projects; share experiences and knowledge.
• Identify legal issues, develop effective legal strategies, mitigation actions, and practical solutions to support business activities.
• Contribute to reviewing RFQs/ITTs from a legal perspective and input into tender preparation, risk identification, contract negotiations, framework agreements, and consortium agreements, in coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Provide legal support to project teams during sales, execution, and warranty phases and contribute to early dispute avoidance and conflict management, liaising with external law firms as necessary.
• Contribute to development of Group directives/instructions based on local legislation, and assist with implementing legal and integrity directives/instructions.
• Manage and liaise with external service providers, including external legal counsel where necessary.
• Provide legal training and awareness, including training on contract negotiation and integrity matters; work remotely and independently to meet tender and project deadlines.

Background / Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent jurisdiction) with a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Proven experience in construction law, including both contentious and non-contentious matters.
• Strong knowledge of standard form construction contracts (e.g., JCT, NEC, FIDIC).
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction and engineering contracts, including subcontracts, consultancy agreements, and collateral warranties.
• Ability to provide strategic legal advice to internal stakeholders, including project managers, procurement teams, and senior leadership.
• Experience managing or supporting construction disputes, including adjudication, arbitration, and litigation.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a diverse workload in a fast-paced environment.

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader in electrification, powering a sustainable energy future through innovative power grid technologies with digital at the core. Over three billion people depend on our technologies to power their daily lives.

With over a century in pioneering mission-critical technologies like high-voltage, transformers, automation, and power electronics, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time – balancing soaring electricity demand, while decarbonizing the power system.

Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 50,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $16 billion USD. We welcome you to apply today.