A Senior Manager – Legal in an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) organization plays a critical role in managing legal risks across projects, contracts, and operations. The role is both strategic and operational, especially due to the complexity of large infrastructure and construction projects.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the job profile:
1. Contract Management (Core Responsibility)
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating EPC contracts, subcontracts, JV agreements, and vendor agreements
- Handling FIDIC-based contracts (very common in EPC projects)
- Ensuring all contracts align with project scope, timelines, and risk allocation
- Advising project teams on contractual obligations and liabilities
2. Claims & Dispute Resolution
- Managing contractual claims, variations, extensions of time (EOT), and cost escalations
- Handling disputes through:
- Arbitration
- Mediation
- Litigation (if required)
- Coordinating with external legal counsels
3. Compliance & Regulatory Advisory
- Ensuring compliance with:
- Construction laws
- Labour laws
- Environmental regulations
- Local statutory requirements
- Advising management on legal risks in ongoing and upcoming projects
4. Risk Management
- Identifying legal and contractual risks in projects
- Suggesting mitigation strategies
- Supporting bid teams during tender stage to highlight risk clauses
5. Tender & Bid Support
- Reviewing tender documents (RFP, RFQ, BOQ, etc.)
- Highlighting deviations and legal risks before submission
- Assisting in contract finalization post-award
6. Liaison & Stakeholder Management
- Working closely with:
- Project Managers
- Finance & Commercial teams
- Procurement team
- Handling communications with clients, contractors, and government authorities
7. Corporate Legal Functions
- Managing company-level legal matters like:
- Corporate governance
- Board resolutions
- Legal documentation
- Ensuring proper documentation and record-keeping
8. Team Management (Senior Role)
- Leading a team of legal professionals
- Guiding junior legal officers
- Managing external consultants/law firms
Key Skills Required
- Strong knowledge of construction & contract law
- Expertise in FIDIC / EPC contracts
- Negotiation & drafting skills
- Dispute resolution expertise
- Commercial awareness
Typical Experience & Qualification
- LLB / LLM (preferably with specialization in corporate/construction law)
- 10–15+ years of experience in EPC, infrastructure, or construction industry
Reporting Structure
- Usually reports to:
- Head – Legal
- Director / VP – Legal
- Sometimes directly to senior management in project-driven organizations
