Legal Counsel – Contract Management (temp)

About UNS 

UNS is one of the most sustainable and innovative architecture firms in the world, dedicated to creating future-proof, human-centric designs. With a global presence and a commitment to excellence, we strive to push the boundaries of architecture and design. 

Job Overview 

UNS is looking for an experienced Contract Manager to join our Legal team! In this role, you will be the backbone of our commercial engagements, ensuring that our architectural and design projects are built on a solid legal foundation. You will act as a strategic partner to our global studios, balancing legal security with commercial viability. You will not only manage the lifecycle of our contracts but also drive the professionalization of our legal workflows, ensuring alignment across multiple jurisdictions.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements with a focus on service contracts, architectural consultancy agreements, RFPs, NDAs, and joint venture arrangements.

• Independently lead contract negotiations, ensuring all agreements align with UNS’s internal policies, risk appetite, and strategic objectives.

• Provide pragmatic, jurisdiction-specific legal advice on contractual obligations, local regulations, and enforceability.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and contractual risks in a proactive and timely manner.

• Conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) and due diligence reviews in accordance with company policy and regulatory requirements.

• Balance legal exposure with commercial reality to support the studio’s project goals.

Process Optimization & Strategy

• Oversee the end-to-end contract administration workflow, driving the continuous improvement and professionalization of contract management processes.

• Develop and implement standardized contract templates, clauses, and best-practice guidelines to enhance efficiency and consistency across the firm.

• Report directly to the Head of Legal on key risks, workflow status, and strategic initiatives.

Collaboration & External Liaison

• Act as the primary liaison between internal departments, subsidiaries, and external stakeholders to facilitate seamless contract execution.

• Manage the end-to-end contract process, ensuring compliance with tight deadlines while coordinating team members involved in contract execution.

• Serve as the key interface with external counsel, engaging them as required and effectively managing the flow of instructions and advice.

• Collaborate closely with local counsel and stakeholders to navigate legal matters spanning multiple jurisdictions.