Contract Governance and Legal Risk Manager

About the role

Osprey believes that innovative, precision-engineering logistics, by land and by water, can transform the way critical UK infrastructure is built. We bring together the very best multi-disciplinary engineering and delivery team to accelerate projects, enhance safety, and work side by side with clients to solve the most complex construction challenges.

We are seeking a commercially minded Contract Governance & Legal Risk Manager to provide pragmatic legal, contractual and commercial risk advice across Osprey’s operations. Working closely with Business Development, Commercial, Operational and Project teams, you will support the negotiation and management of contracts, oversee governance and insurance requirements, and help resolve contractual issues. The role requires a solutions-focused approach, balancing effective risk management with the commercial objectives of winning work, maintaining client relationships and delivering successful projects across multiple sectors.

Location – Portishead, Bristol

Work Rotation - Monday-Friday

What You’ll do

• Provide commercially focused legal, contractual and governance advice across the business, identifying risks and developing practical solutions that support successful project delivery and business growth.
• Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including framework agreements, client contracts, subcontracts, supply agreements, warranties, guarantees and other contractual documentation.
• Support Business Development, Commercial, Operational and Bid teams by shaping negotiating positions and ensuring contractual arrangements align with Osprey’s commercial objectives and risk appetite.
• Own and maintain Osprey’s contract governance framework, ensuring appropriate review, approval and escalation processes are applied in line with contractual risk, value and complexity.
• Advise stakeholders on contractual obligations, risk allocation, insurance requirements, liability provisions and dispute avoidance strategies, helping the business make informed commercial decisions.
• Manage Osprey’s insurance programme and project-specific insurance requirements, ensuring appropriate cover is in place to support contractual obligations and operational activities.
• Support the management and resolution of contractual claims, disputes and contentious matters, working with internal stakeholders, insurers, brokers and external advisers where required.
• Maintain high standards of contract management, document control and governance, ensuring contractual decisions, risk positions and approvals are accurately recorded and managed in accordance with company procedures.

Skills & Experience

• Degree-level qualification in Law, Commercial Management, Business Management, Risk Management or a related discipline
• Proven experience in contract management, commercial governance, legal risk, procurement or a similar role within construction, engineering, infrastructure, marine, defence, energy or related sectors.
• Strong working knowledge of standard contract forms, including NEC3/NEC4, JCT, FIDIC, CPA conditions, BIMCO standard forms, Charterparties, Framework Agreements and bespoke commercial contracts.
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, with the ability to identify contractual risks and develop commercially practical solutions.
• Good understanding of risk allocation mechanisms, including indemnities, liability caps, warranties, guarantees, insurance requirements and dispute resolution provisions.
• Experience supporting contractual claims, dispute resolution and contract governance processes, with the ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives.
• Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge at all levels of the organisation.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering clear, accurate and pragmatic advice using a "right first time" approach.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays
• Enhanced employer pension contributions and salary sacrifice schemes
• EV electric car scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Income protection insurance
• Life insurance cover
• Performance-related pay scheme
• Enhanced parental leave benefits
• Cycle to work scheme
• Family-friendly policies
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Get Active from Aviva – Gym discounts up to 40% off
• Support your career development through our success management process

If you would like to part of the team or would like to find out more. Please apply!