Why Arup
At Arup we're dedicated to shaping a better world. Our purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years. We solve the world's most complex problems and deliver what seems impossible, with curiosity and creativity. We're a thriving and growing organisation which offers you many possibilities to shape a better world and your future.
Primary Focus
The Legal Advisor – Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific (APAC) Legal Team position is an entry‑to‑mid level in‑house role within Arup's SEA Legal Team, supporting Arup's business across Southeast Asia geography (including Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand) (SEA) as part of a regionally integrated APAC legal function. The role's primary focus is the provision of front-end and project delivery legal advice to the business in SEA. The role will involve front-end legal support for projects, particularly the review and negotiation of consultancy agreements and the provision of ongoing legal advice during project delivery to prevent disputes and protect commercial outcomes. This role reports to and is supervised by the Managing Counsel – SEA.
Key Responsibilities
- Review, negotiate, and advise on consultancy agreements and related commercial contracts across a broad range of projects.
- Provide legal support to project teams throughout the project lifecycle, particularly during delivery to mitigate risk, prevent disputes, and support cost recovery.
- Advise on risk allocation, liability caps, fee structures, and commercially sensitive contractual terms.
- Support projects across multiple disciplines including infrastructure, architecture, environmental, and engineering services.
- Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across SEA geography and the broader APAC region, including business line leaders and corporate services leaders.
- Contribute to a collaborative team environment by flexing across workloads, supporting colleagues during peak periods, and maintaining consistent service during quieter periods.
- Participate in contract negotiations, project workshops, and in-person project meetings, which may occasionally involve limited travel within SEA.
- Support knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement within the legal team as the business evolves.
Qualifications & Experience
- Vietnam qualified lawyer, holding a recognised law degree in Vietnam (LLB or equivalent qualification recognised under Vietnamese law).
- Approximately 3–5 years post qualification experience (PQE), gained either in Vietnam and/or overseas, including time spent in private practice (background may be gained through private practice, in-house roles, or a combination of both).
- Proficient in both Vietnamese and English (written and spoken) with the ability to effectively advise and communicate effectively with local stakeholders and external counsel.
- Strong working knowledge of construction law, contract law, and commercial law.
- Experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating consultancy agreements; prior exposure to consulting engineering or professional services environments and is an advantage.
Skills & Attributes
- Positive and open-minded approach, with a genuine willingness to take on a broad range of legal work across disciplines, project types and different SEA/APAC jurisdictions.
- Comfortable operating independently and with a degree of autonomy while following established governance, approval, and escalation processes.
- Strong team orientation, with the ability to flex across peaks and troughs in workload, actively supporting colleagues during busy periods and remaining engaged when volumes are lighter.
- Commercially pragmatic mindset, balancing legal risk with practical business outcomes and providing solutions-focused advice.
- Clear, confident communication skills, with the ability to explain legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders in a practical and accessible manner.
- Strong relationship-building capability, particularly with project teams, senior stakeholders, and internal clients across SEA geography and the broader APAC region.
- High level of adaptability and resilience, comfortable navigating change, evolving business priorities, and fluctuating workloads.
- Proactive in learning and understanding the business, with the ability to quickly grasp Arup's unique operating model and stakeholder landscape.
- Comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing in-office collaboration with flexible work arrangements.
What We Offer You
At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together.
Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair, and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling eligible members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
Different people, shared values
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.
Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Arup provides an environment where you will make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.
Our Application Process
Please apply directly through our applicant tracking system. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Talent Acquisition to discuss next steps. Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
