Senior Legal Counsel

Job Description

A progressive legal professional who serves as a primary liaison and legal counsel, working very closely with the Legal team responsible for the Business Units covering Bristow’s Global Operations outside North America (covering Europe, Africa, Australia and other international jurisdictions). This role involves collaborating with group with key commercial colleagues across the UK and Europe, to ensure stringent compliance with all legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities include playing a vital, proactive role in managing labour and employment matters, disputes and / or litigation, corporate secretary / governance work, contract negotiations and limited global Fleet support. Certain responsibilities may extend to supporting the operations of the wider Bristow group.

• Oversee the full contract lifecycle – Review of Contract T&Cs
• Negotiation and finalisation of those T&Cs
• Building and maintaining key relationships with various departments who own such contracts, and the counter parties for the contracts

• Advising HR and Operations teams on handling and resolution of employee-related issues
• Liaising between HR team, Operations and external legal advisers on conduct of tribunal proceedings

• Advising directors and their immediate reports on all issues and disputes that may arise in respect of the UK and European regions, and managing external legal advisors

• Managing Bristow’s subsidiaries primarily based or managing assets in the UK and Europe

• Providing necessary support with regards to any movements or swaps of aircraft or engines to meet Bristow’s legal standards, and liaising with outside counsel on such transactions

• Liaising with external legal advisers when necessary, whilst still keeping external legal spend under tight control and in compliance with the Outside Counsel Billing Guidelines
• Establishing local country-specific requirements and influences as quickly and cost-effectively as possible

• Law Degree (2 : 1 or above)
• Qualified English or Scottish Solicitor
• 5-10 years legal experience and global exposure

• Previous work as solicitor for reputable (Top 100) UK City or regional law firm
• Labor / Employment experience essential
• Contracts negotiation expertise essential
• Litigation / Disputes expertise essential
• Experience of both aviation and oil and gas law will be ideal but experience of at least one is essential
• Additional Property or Corporate Secretary experience helpful but not pre-requisite
• Some time spent ‘in-house’ helpful but not pre-requisite
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to influence employees and managers at all levels in the organization
• Strong business and operational acumen

• Maintains a high standard of work and ensures accuracy
• Must have the confidence and ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment
• Must be willing to travel globally, including to locations such as the UK, Netherlands and Ireland
• Must be able to demonstrate first class commercial awareness
• Works collaboratively within a team; ability and willingness to adapt to changing business demands.
• Promotes tolerance and inclusion among diverse groups and recognition of multiple views
• Maintains confidentiality, and communicates truthfully, respectfully, openly and honestly with others
• Sets and achieves goals;
  Works to achieve the standards of excellence identified by management
• Demonstrates a willingness to excel and be proficient in the position
• Driving licence essential