Senior Legal Counsel – Alternative Delivery and Construction

GHD

Senior Legal Counsel advising GHD’s Canadian infrastructure and construction projects. Negotiating alternative-delivery agreements and managing legal risk across major multidisciplinary mandates.

Posted 8/6/2026full-timeToronto • 🇨🇦 CanadaSenior💰 CA$134,629 - CA$223,781 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive legal expertise in construction law and alternative delivery projects, with a strong focus on contract negotiation, risk management, and compliance. Proven ability to lead and mentor legal teams while providing strategic legal support across various sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)Ten Years of Post-Call Legal ExperienceConstruction Law ExpertiseP3/PPP Project ExperienceBilingualism in English and French

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Contract DraftingRisk AllocationDispute ResolutionLegal AnalysisClaims ManagementLegal ResearchPolicy DevelopmentNegotiationCompliance ManagementLegal Communication

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationBusiness-Oriented MindsetMentoringClient Engagement

Tools & Technologies

Contract PlaybooksRisk MatricesLegal Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Membership in Provincial Law SocietyAbility to Obtain Membership in Additional Jurisdictions

Industry Keywords

Alternative Delivery ProjectsDesign-BuildProgressive Design-BuildJoint Venture AgreementsTeaming AgreementsInfrastructure DevelopmentConstruction ProjectsEnvironmental LawTransportation LawWater and Wastewater Law

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide day-to-day legal support and strategic advice on significant alternative delivery pursuits and projects across Canada
Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, joint venture agreements, teaming agreements, subconsultant agreements, and other project-related commercial arrangements
Advise project teams on risk allocation, liability, indemnification, insurance, limitation of liability, and dispute resolution
Lead legal analysis and negotiation of agreements under P3/PPP, alliance, IPD, design-build, and progressive design-build frameworks
Support proposal and pursuit teams during procurement, including RFQ and RFP reviews and preparation of compliant, competitive submissions
Build, develop, and mentor the legal team
Develop and maintain precedent documents, contract playbooks, risk matrices, and other legal tools
Collaborate with and manage external counsel, including outside legal spend
Provide guidance on claims management, dispute avoidance, mediation, arbitration, and litigation support
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting construction and infrastructure
Advise the business on emerging legal risks and opportunities
Contribute to corporate governance, privacy, employment, insurance, and broader legal and compliance matters

Requirements

What you’ll need

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognised Canadian law school
Membership in good standing of a provincial law society
Ability to obtain membership in additional jurisdictions as needed
Minimum of ten years of post-call legal experience
Substantial experience focused on construction law and major project delivery
Hands-on experience advising on alternative delivery projects
Proven experience with P3/PPP, alliance, IPD, design-build, and progressive design-build projects
Experience across service lines such as transportation, transit, water and wastewater, energy, buildings, and environmental is highly valued
Bilingualism in English and French; ability to review, draft, and negotiate contracts in both official languages is a significant asset
Strong leadership skills and ability to build, develop, and manage legal teams in a corporate environment
In-house experience at a consulting engineering firm, construction company, or infrastructure developer preferred; significant private practice experience will also be considered
Collaborative, business-oriented mindset and willingness to engage directly with project delivery teams and clients
Advanced knowledge of law, regulations, legal communication, legal research, policy, legal systems and tools, planning, and written and verbal communication

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work model with in-office collaboration and flexibility
Professional development support
Continuing legal education
Active participation in industry associations
Competitive compensation
Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities
Employee-owned company