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About RKD

Want to be part of an award winning, multi-disciplinary growing international practice? Resulting from RKD ongoing growth and recent success in securing large-scale projects, we now have a new opening for a Contracts & Legal Coordinator to join their Dublin office. RKD is one of Ireland’s leading architecture practices. They have a rich legacy dating back to their formation in 1913, and since then, they’ve established themselves as one of the most diverse and effective architecture firms in Europe.

RKD practice specialises in a variety of sectors including data centres and technology, life sciences, manufacturing, education, healthcare, commercial and workplace. RKD believe in ‘Design That Works’ and are recognised as a leaders in Sustainable and Wellness design practices.

RKD’s office network spans multiple locations in Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Belfast) and in Europe (Belgium, UK, Sweden, Italy, Spain and Poland). They are responsible for delivering complex projects in 25 countries across EMEA and North & South America. With over 250 staff, RKD diverse workforce includes 26 different nationalities, and they are proud to have an industry leading gender balance rate with 50% female employees across their business, and they are 40% female owned.

At RKD, you will get the opportunity to work in a fast-paced creative environment where you will hone your skills and expand your knowledge through continuous professional development and teamwork with recognised industry thought leaders. They take time out from their working environment regularly as a team, with community outreach endeavours, social events, and sports league participation. The Sports & Social Committee organise a regular and diverse range of events to support a healthy work-life balance.

Sound interesting? Then find more information below summary.  

Reports to: Legal Counsel The Contracts & Legal Coordinator will support the Legal Counsel in managing the day-to-day legal needs of the business. The role combines legal operations and administration with hands-on support across commercial contracts, corporate governance, compliance, claims and other legal matters.

The successful candidate will be experienced and confident enough to take ownership of routine matters, work directly with stakeholders and keep the legal function running smoothly when the Legal Counsel is unavailable. They will know which matters they can progress within agreed processes and authority, and which require escalation or specialist advice. 

Qualification/experience

- A law degree or relevant legal qualification, together with practical experience in a legal role.

- Typically at least 3+ years’ relevant experience in an in-house legal team or commercial law firm.

- Experience drafting, reviewing and coordinating commercial contracts.

- The ability to manage routine legal matters independently and exercise sound judgement when Legal Counsel is unavailable.

- Strong legal research, drafting and analytical skills.

- Good commercial awareness and the ability to communicate clearly with non-legal colleagues.

- Excellent organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.

- Experience in construction, architecture or professional services is advantageous.

- Knowledge of construction contracts and related legal issues is advantageous.

- Strong Microsoft Office skills; experience with contract or matter-management systems is beneficial. 

Role and responsibilities:

Legal operations and business support

- Act as a first point of contact for routine legal queries, assessing priorities, gathering the information needed and progressing matters within agreed processes.

- Manage the legal inbox or incoming requests, matter trackers and follow-ups so that work continues to move forward during the Legal Counsel’s absence.

- Maintain legal files, contract databases, document-management systems, templates, precedents, clause banks and legal playbooks.

- Monitor deadlines, renewals, filings and outstanding actions, and follow up with stakeholders to ensure matters are progressed.

- Coordinate the signing, completion and storage of legal documents.

- Identify opportunities to improve legal workflows, record keeping and reporting.

Contracts and legal matters

- Draft and review routine commercial contracts, NDAs, supplier agreements and other documents within agreed parameters.

- Coordinate contract reviews and negotiations, liaising directly with business stakeholders and counterparties as appropriate.

- Identify and summarise key legal, contractual and commercial risks, escalating material or unusual issues to Legal Counsel.

- Conduct legal research and prepare briefing notes, legal summaries and draft advice for review where required.

- Support the management of claims, disputes and litigation, including coordinating information and liaising with external solicitors, insurers and other advisers.

Governance and compliance

- Support corporate governance and company secretarial work, including board documentation, statutory records and CRO filings.

- Maintain group organisation charts, entity information and corporate records.

- Provide corporate information and documentation for KYC checks, audits, financing transactions, due diligence and regulatory requests.

- Assist with compliance, data protection and employment-law matters within the scope of the role.

- Support legal projects, reorganisations and transactions.

Cover for Legal Counsel

- Provide day-to-day cover for the legal function when Legal Counsel is unavailable, ensuring requests are acknowledged, prioritised and progressed.

- Handle routine matters independently within agreed authority, using established templates, guidance and external advisers where appropriate.

- Keep clear records of decisions, advice received, actions taken and matters requiring Legal Counsel’s input on their return.

- Escalate urgent, high-risk or unfamiliar matters to the appropriate senior leader or external legal adviser in line with agreed arrangements. 

Soft skills/personal attributes

- Practical, commercially minded and solutions focused.

- Proactive and comfortable taking ownership of work with limited supervision.

- Confident working with senior stakeholders and external advisers.

- Calm and organised when handling urgent or competing requests.

- Discreet and able to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

- Clear about the limits of their authority and confident escalating significant risks or decisions.

- Collaborative and willing to support both detailed administration and substantive legal work. 

If you wish to apply for this role please email a CV and cover letter to: hr@rkd.ie 

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