Job Description:The Senior Legal Counsel will serve as a strategic legal partner to Veolia's Industrial Water business, providing comprehensive legal support across new business development and existing customer operations. This role requires a proactive, business-minded attorney who can balance legal risk management with commercial objectives while maintaining strong relationships across the organization.
Essential Responsibilities:- Opportunity Evaluation & Early-Stage Transactions: Review, negotiate, and advise on NDAs, MOUs, and letters of intent to support new business opportunities
- Bid & RFP Support: Review and provide legal counsel on bid and RFP responses
- Contract Review & Negotiation: Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on service agreements, with primary focus on Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contracts. Support negotiation of alternative delivery models including Design Build Operate Maintain (DBOM), Design Build Finance Operate Maintain (DBFOM), and Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contracts.
- Contract Portfolio Management: Manage a 70/30 mix of third-party/customer-initiated contracts versus Veolia-proposed agreements, leveraging established O&M templates and emerging contract frameworks
- Risk Assessment & Deal Support: Conduct risk assessments addressing litigation, reputational, and deal structure risks; participate in meetings throughout the deal lifecycle
- Amendment Management: Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on agreement amendments, with emphasis on scope, pricing, and term extensions
- Proactive Legal Support: Lead amendment drafting efforts (70/30 in favor of Veolia-initiated versions) while managing customer-initiated revisions and alternative forms
- Dispute & Claims Management: Advise on incidents, accidents, potential claims, disputes, and contract terminations
- Early Dispute Resolution: Provide early to mid-stage dispute advice, manage outside counsel relationships, and represent the company in written and oral communications with customer legal teams (prior to litigation handoff)
- Operational Partnership: Meet regularly with the Industrial Water COO to ensure effective communication, coordinate legal and operational priorities, and support organizational initiatives
- Contract Repository & Governance: Build and maintain an accurate, organized contract repository across all customers and active contracts; assess, catalog, and categorize contracts; conduct cross-functional reviews of underperforming or low-revenue contracts and recommend remediation strategies
QualificationsRequired Qualifications:- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
- Active bar license in good standing
- 10+ years of legal experience, preferably in commercial contracts, service agreements, or project delivery
- Demonstrated experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating O&M, EPC, and similar contract types
- Strong negotiation and drafting skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders
- Experience managing outside counsel and early-stage dispute resolution
- Ability to work collaboratively across business functions
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience in industrial services, water treatment, or infrastructure sectors
- Familiarity with complex project delivery models such as DBOOM and DBFOM
- Project finance or risk assessment experience
- Experience supporting operations teams on contract administration and performance issues
Additional InformationJoin a company that values Responsibility, Solidarity, Innovation, Customer Focus, and Respect. You'll have opportunities for comprehensive leadership development, career advancement, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on sustainability and environmental protection while leading a talented team.
The estimated compensation range for this role is $145,000 - 160,000 plus a 10% annual bonus.
Benefits:Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Starting Day 1!
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
401(k) Plan
Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
AD&D Insurance
Disability Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
