Senior Legal Counsel in Canberra

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role within KBR's Australian Legal team, partnering with senior business leaders to shape outcomes across some of Australia's most significant Defence projects. As Senior Legal Counsel (Australia), you will combine strategic legal leadership with hands-on involvement in complex, high-value and high-risk matters. You'll provide trusted commercial advice, manage critical legal issues, and help the business navigate an evolving regulatory and contractual landscape with confidence.

Working closely with the Vice President, Legal, you will help drive legal strategy, strengthen governance and legal capability, and embed practical, commercially focused legal solutions that enable business success. This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to influence key decisions, build strong stakeholder relationships, and make a meaningful contribution to KBR's continued growth and delivery of nationally important projects.

This is a permanent full-time opportunity and can be based in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. The successful candidate must be able to hold an Australian Government Baseline security clearance or higher.

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, balancing legal risk with commercial outcomes.
• Lead the drafting, negotiation, review and approval of complex commercial, government and quasi-government contracts.
• Partner with business leaders on major bids and tenders, providing advice 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, including joint ventures, alliances and other commercial partnerships.
• Oversee disputes, claims and investigations, coordinating with external legal counsel where required.
• Drive continuous improvement through the development of legal policies, processes, templates and governance frameworks.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across operational, commercial and corporate functions.
• Manage allocated legal budgets, including external legal spend, in line with KBR governance and delegation requirements.

As the ideal candidate you will bring:

• 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.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to provide pragmatic, business-focused legal advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and partner with senior executives and business leaders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical business advice.
• Sound judgement, high professional integrity and the ability to navigate competing legal, commercial and stakeholder priorities.
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentoring others, building capability and continuously improving legal service delivery.

The successful candidate will be required to hold and maintain an active Australian Baseline Security Clearance.

What we will offer you:

• A workplace culture certified as a Great Place To Work
• Flexible working
• Competitive salary (including annual reviews)
• Paid parental leave
• Income protection
• Corporate rewards
• Salary packaging/Novated leasing
• Employee stock purchase plans
• Flu shots, skin checks and discounted private health insurance
• Career development: Online learning, mentorship and career pathways.

As a Major Service Provider to the Australian Defence Forces, an AGSVA security clearance will be required as well as compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).