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Senior Legal Counsel – Land, Real Estate & Infrastructure Development

On-site in Madrid·Full-time·Added 2 months ago (last checked 8 Oct)

Ferrovial

100 open roles

Overview

Work mode
On-site, Madrid
Contract
Full-time
English
Required
Experience
8+ years
Education
University degree

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Skills

This job advert was originally written in Spanish.

Requirements

Education & certifications

  • Qualified Lawyer
  • Law Degree (LLB or equivalent).
  • Master's degree or postgraduate qualification in Real Estate, Planning, Infrastructure, Energy Law or related fields preferred.

The role

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide strategic legal support across the full lifecycle of land acquisition and infrastructure development projects, with a particular focus on data centres, energy infrastructure and large-scale real estate developments.

The role combines expertise in real estate law, land development, urban planning, energy regulation and commercial transactions to facilitate the successful origination, acquisition and development of strategic sites. Acting as a key business partner to development, power, technical and investment teams, the individual will help structure transactions, mitigate legal and regulatory risks, negotiate complex agreements and support the delivery of multiple projects simultaneously.

This position requires a commercially minded lawyer capable of balancing legal risk with business objectives while managing complex stakeholder relationships across a fast-paced development environment.

Why Ferrovial?

  • Global presence, local impact: be part of a company that defines the future of infrastructure worldwide. Take on challenging work and projects that make a difference.

  • Collaborative excellence: work with talented professionals in a collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions will be valued.

  • Inclusive culture: develop your career in an innovative and respectful environment that values every opinion, celebrates what makes us unique, and turns differences into innovation.

  • Professional growth: benefit from global mobility and access development processes designed to ensure your professional growth.

  • Employee benefits and well-being: enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that rewards effort and dedication. Take advantage of initiatives designed to support your physical and psychological well-being.

  • Productivity tools: use cutting-edge tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, to improve your productivity and effectiveness.

Land Acquisition, Real Estate & Site Control

  • Assess legal risks associated with potential development sites.
  • Conduct and oversee legal due diligence relating to land acquisitions and development opportunities.
  • Review title matters, easements, restrictive covenants, ransom strips, wayleaves and third-party rights.
  • Advise on land control strategies, site acquisition structures and transaction risks from the earliest stages of project development.
  • Develop and implement land banking strategies to support long-term portfolio growth.
  • Manage external legal advisers and specialist consultants.

Transaction Management & Contract Negotiation

Lead the negotiation, drafting and execution of complex real estate and development agreements, including:

  • Option Agreements
  • Conditional Purchase Agreements
  • Exclusivity Agreements
  • Promotion Agreements
  • Overage Agreements
  • Joint Venture Agreements
  • Collaboration and Co-Development Agreements

Additionally, draft and negotiate a broad range of commercial and operational agreements, including:

  • Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
  • Consultant Appointments
  • Brokerage Agreements
  • Development Management Agreements
  • Framework Agreements

Energy Infrastructure & Regulatory Support

  • Support negotiations relating to critical infrastructure and utility arrangements, including:
    • Grid Connection Agreements
    • Utility Easements and Wayleaves
    • Fibre Infrastructure Agreements
    • Water Supply Agreements
  • Monitor and advise on relevant energy, infrastructure and utility regulatory frameworks.
  • Work closely with power, engineering and technical teams to ensure alignment between legal, commercial and development strategies.

Planning, Urban Development & Environmental Matters

  • Advise on planning obligations, land-use restrictions and development constraints.
  • Support environmental and planning due diligence processes.
  • Assist in the negotiation and management of infrastructure agreements and planning-related legal matters.
  • Provide legal guidance on urban planning and entitlement processes throughout the development lifecycle.

Partnerships & Co-Development

  • Structure and negotiate strategic partnerships with landowners, developers and infrastructure partners.
  • Lead legal aspects of co-development arrangements and collaboration agreements.
  • Support the establishment and governance of joint ventures and strategic alliances.
  • Facilitate commercially viable solutions while ensuring appropriate risk allocation.

Project & Risk Management

  • Manage multiple development projects and transactions simultaneously across different stages of maturity.
  • Identify legal, regulatory and commercial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Prepare concise risk assessments and recommendations for senior leadership.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders to support successful project execution.

Process Improvement & Digitalisation

  • Improve efficiency and scalability of legal support through technology-enabled solutions.
  • Drive initiatives such as:
    • Automated title reviews
    • Contract standardisation
    • Planning document summarisation
    • Legal risk dashboards
  • Contribute to the development of best practices and legal governance frameworks.

Professional Experience

  • 8+ years of post-qualification experience in Real Estate, Infrastructure, Energy, Planning or Development Law.
  • Experience gained in leading law firms, infrastructure developers, energy companies, data centre platforms, real estate developers or investment firms.
  • Strong record of advising on complex land acquisitions, development projects and infrastructure transactions.
  • Significant experience in contract negotiation, land development and urban planning matters.
  • Familiarity with energy infrastructure and utility regulation would be highly desirable.

Key Competencies

  • Real Estate & Property Law
  • Land Acquisition & Land Banking
  • Contract Management
  • Urban Planning & Development
  • Energy & Infrastructure Regulation
  • Joint Ventures & Partnerships
  • Due Diligence & Risk Management
  • Commercial Negotiation
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Project Management & Prioritisation

Seize the challenge. Move the world together! Innovative, creative, respectful, and diverse are just some of the adjectives that describe us. We are motivated by challenges and believe in the power of collaboration across our business units to move the world together. Your journey toward a great professional career starts here!

Hiring process

The process depends on the profile and the business area of the vacancy; it includes an interview where interviewers value honesty about your experience and interest in the role

  • Set up job alerts and tailor your CV and cover letter to each vacancy.
  • Research the company before the interview and bring questions about the role.

About Ferrovial

Ferrovial is a global infrastructure operator and construction company headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a strong presence in Spain. The company designs, builds, and operates highways, airports, and other critical infrastructure assets across Europe, the US, and other markets. With a workforce of over 24,000 employees, Ferrovial is recognized as a leader in sustainable infrastructure and innovation, managing projects that range from large-scale civil engineering to digital infrastructure like data centers.

In Spain, Ferrovial maintains a significant operational footprint with offices and project sites across the country, including Madrid, Barcelona, and many other cities. The company is a major employer for engineers, architects, and construction professionals, offering graduate programs and leadership tracks that are attractive to international talent. Ferrovial's culture emphasizes safety, sustainability, and professional development, making it a compelling option for relocators seeking stable, long-term careers in infrastructure.

Industry
Infrastructure
Founded
1952
Employees
10,000–50,000
Headquarters
Amsterdam, Netherlands
In Spain
Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and 12 more

Good to know if you are moving

  • Ferrovial has a large presence in Spain with offices and projects in Madrid, Barcelona, and many other cities, offering numerous opportunities for engineers and construction professionals.
  • The company offers structured graduate programs and leadership tracks in Spain, which are open to international applicants and provide a clear path for career development.
  • Ferrovial is a global leader in infrastructure, with projects in the US and Europe, which can offer international mobility opportunities for employees.
  • The company emphasizes sustainability and innovation, making it an attractive employer for professionals interested in modern infrastructure practices.
  • While the global HQ is in Amsterdam, the main Spain office is in Madrid, and many roles are based across the country, requiring Spanish language skills for some positions.

In their own words

About the company & team

Join Ferrovial: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

Are you ready to develop your professional career in a global infrastructure leader, in a challenging environment and making a positive impact on people's lives? At Ferrovial, we are more than a company; we are a community of innovators and pioneers. We are listed on three major stock markets: Nasdaq (USA), Euronext Amsterdam (Netherlands), and IBEX 35 (Spain). We are also members of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and FTSE4Good. We operate in more than 15 countries and have a team of over 24,000 professionals worldwide. Ferrovial's activity is carried out through our business units, including Highways, Airports, Construction, and Energy.

Ferrovial Construction is recognized internationally for its capacity to design and build singular projects in civil works and building, and mainly large transport infrastructures. Its historical track record includes projects to date totaling more than 490 km of tunnels, 19,200 km of roads (including 4,000 km of highways) and 4,700 km of railway lines (including 700 km of high-speed rail) and 27,350 km of road maintenance and repair.

Additional information

Ferrovial offers equal opportunities to all candidates. We treat all applications equally, regardless of gender, race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other legally protected characteristic.

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