Legal Counsel (Projects)

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PLS is delivering on its vision to be a leading global producer of lithium, a mineral critical to enabling the world’s transition to a more sustainably powered future.

As the owner and operator of the Pilgangoora Operation, the world’s largest independent hard-rock lithium mine, we are expanding fast, investing boldly, and building a global portfolio that positions us at the forefront of the energy transition.

Most recently, we acquired Latin Resources, adding the Colina Project in Brazil to our portfolio — strengthening our international footprint and creating new pathways for growth.

With more than 900 people employed globally, we’re building a future-focused business where talented people can create real impact. At PLS, our Values aren’t just words on a wall, they drive how we work, how we lead, and how we grow: Safety First. Great People. We Deliver. One Team. Shaping Tomorrow.

If you want to be part of an organisation that is ambitious, innovative and shaping the next era of battery minerals, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to join us.

What PLS offers

• Flexible working arrangements, including work from home options
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• Monthly employee recognition awards
• Paid community leave
• Access to PLS’ KidsCo School Holiday Program
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and Company Chaplains

The opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide timely commercial and practical legal advice to protect PLS’s legal and commercial interests across the Major Projects and Sustaining Capital teams, and broader operations, enabling the business to achieve its growth objectives.

This is a full-time permanent role and based at our West Perth office, conveniently located near the City West train station.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate and review a broad range of legal and commercial agreements, including: major capital project supply agreements, construction contracts, professional services agreements, equipment supply contracts, major tender documents, land access agreements, and other procurement and operational contracts as required.
• Assist with resolving commercial disputes and any potentially litigious matters.
• Assist with preparation of Board papers for contract approvals or where related to legal matters.
• Support contract administration and claims management during project execution, including advising on variations, extensions of time, SOPA payment obligations, and early dispute resolution.
• Contribute to legal knowledge management, including developing contract playbooks, standard form templates, and delivering legal training to project and procurement teams.
• Instruct and manage (as required) external legal providers to ensure timely, fit for purpose advice is obtained on competitive terms

About you

Essential

• Approximately 3–7 years post-admission experience gained at a top-tier or specialist firm and/or in-house in the resources, energy or infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrated front-end experience drafting and negotiating major project, construction, professional services and procurement contracts (EPC, EPCM, supply, services)..
• Strong working knowledge of construction law, including AS suites, FIDIC, the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (WA)  and related industry practice.
• Ability to think commercially and propose timely practical solutions to manage or mitigate risks.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to support various management teams including operations, projects, contracts and procurement, corporate development and land access and approvals.
• Unrestricted legal practising certificate (WA).
• Tertiary qualifications in Law (LLB, JD, or equivalent).
• Strong organisational skills with an ability to coordinate tasks, while effectively and efficiently managing own output.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in construction law desirable.
• Some construction or commercial disputes experience (litigation, arbitration or expert determination).
• Experience with mining tenement, native title and heritage issues affecting project delivery.
• Familiarity with ASX-listed company governance and disclosure obligations

Supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce

PLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that values, respects and supports diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our business and help us deliver better outcomes for our people, our communities and the future we’re building. We foster an environment where everyone feels safe, included and able to contribute their best. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, equitable and accessible for all.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, all ages, and people of all genders and sexual orientations (LGBTQIA+).

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace to support all applicants and employees. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application process or inform our Careers team if you are contacted for an interview.

Our recruitment process

As part of our recruitment process, a number of checks will be conducted, including police / criminal background checks, medical assessments, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence, right to work checks and reference checks.

We respectfully request agencies not to submit unsolicited resumes.

Acknowledgement of Country

PLS respectfully acknowledges the Nyamal and Kariyarra People of the Pilbara, the Whadjuk Noongar People of the Perth region and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are the Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples of these lands.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing connection and care for the land, water and Country.

If you would like to learn more about PLS or register for future opportunities, please visit www.pls.com.