Senior Legal Counsel - Construction to Helsinki, Finland

Job Description

Worldwiders is partnering with a major international organisation developing hyperscale data centre infrastructure across Europe.

We are looking to appoint a Lead Construction Lawyer to join a specialist legal team based in Helsinki, Finland. This is a senior front-end construction role with responsibility for drafting, negotiating and advising on major construction contracts supporting complex data centre developments.

The role is particularly suited to an experienced construction lawyer with strong knowledge of the Finnish and Nordic construction market, combined with experience working on large-scale international projects.

The Role

You will take a leading role in front-end construction legal matters, with a particular focus on contract drafting, negotiation, procurement and risk allocation.

Working closely with project, procurement, commercial and technical stakeholders, you will provide practical legal support throughout the contracting and project development process.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Drafting and negotiating construction and engineering contracts for major data centre developments
• Advising on YSE/KSE, FIDIC, NEC and bespoke contractual frameworks
• Supporting EPC, design-build and subcontracting structures
• Advising on contractual strategy, project delivery models and risk allocation
• Reviewing procurement documentation, tender packages and conditions of contract
• Leading pre-contract negotiations with contractors, consultants and other project counterparties
• Advising on construction matters across Finland and other European markets
• Managing external counsel where specialist or local-law advice is required
• Providing commercially focused legal advice to senior project and business stakeholders

About You

We are looking for a senior construction lawyer with significant front-end experience on major construction and infrastructure projects.

Ideally, you will bring:

• 10+ years' PQE or equivalent senior-level legal experience
• Extensive experience in front-end construction law, with a strong focus on drafting and negotiating contracts rather than disputes
• Strong knowledge of YSE and KSE contracting frameworks
• Experience with FIDIC and other international construction contract forms
• Experience advising on major projects within data centres, infrastructure, energy, industrial development or other complex construction environments
• Strong understanding of EPC, design-build, procurement and subcontracting structures
• Experience navigating complex contractual risk and negotiating with major contractors and consultants
• The ability to independently lead sophisticated construction legal matters
• A practical, proactive and commercially minded approach
• Strong stakeholder management skills and experience working within international project environments

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take a senior legal role supporting a significant and growing portfolio of hyperscale data centre developments.

You will have substantial ownership of front-end construction matters, direct exposure to major projects and the opportunity to work closely with senior commercial, technical and legal stakeholders in an international environment.

The position is based in Helsinki, Finland.

Worldwiders Recruitment

Worldwiders is a global recruitment company specializing in executive search and specialist recruitment worldwide. Since our journey began in 2016, we have become a trusted partner for tailor-made recruitment solutions, connecting top talent with prestigious opportunities across the globe. With a proven track record of more than 7,000 successful placements and 400+ satisfied partners in over 40 countries, our expertise ensures we match the right talent with the right company to drive career growth and organizational success.

Worldwiders also serves as the umbrella organization behind our specialized recruitment brands, Nordic Jobs Worldwide and Multilingual Jobs Worldwide. Each brand focuses on specific markets and talent segments, enabling us to deliver highly targeted recruitment solutions while benefiting from the global reach, expertise, and network of the Worldwiders group.