Assistant General Counsel - Construction

Description

• Hire, lead and manage outside counsel, ensuring effective litigation strategy and regulatory compliance across all company operations.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration, working closely with operational, HR, safety, finance, and business development teams to align legal strategies with business objectives.
• Manage and mentor a team of lawyers, paralegals and/or other professionals, fostering an environment of operational excellence, professional development and continuous learning.
• Participate in training and internal after-action reviews to offer guidance on risk mitigation and dispute avoidance strategies.
• Maintain a strong connection between legal strategy and company historical knowledge, ensuring action is not just reactive-but proactive.
• Review and respond to legal claims, subpoenas, general inquiries and discovery requests.
• Develop and implement policies and training to promote a strong culture of ethics, compliance, and risk awareness at all levels of the organization.
• Promote an environment of collaboration, accountability and adaptability within the legal team and across operations.
• Provide timely, strategic advice on potential and actual disputes as well as risk management and dispute avoidance.
• Develop and implement dispute resolution strategies aimed at minimizing risk and achieving cost-effective outcomes.
• Oversee the Contracts Administration Group, managing the review and negotiation of approximately 5,000 agreements annually, including:
• Partner with legal business partners, operation teams and other groups to continuously improve contract management processes, enhancing efficiency, clarity, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to executive leadership and operational teams, providing strategic counsel on compliance, risk mitigation, and legal best practices.
• Lead and manage a team of lawyers handling all company litigation, arbitration, mediation and pre-litigation dispute resolution. Typical matters include construction claims, breach of contract claims, delay claims, defect claims and change order disputes ensuring consistent legal analysis and documentation across the organization.
• Drive proactive risk management strategies, anticipating legal challenges and positioning the company for long-term success.
• Serve as primary liaison with outside counsel and internal Risk Department for active litigation matters and insurance claims , ensuring alignment with operational goals, budgets and timelines.

Requirements

• Ability to synthesize past legal outcomes into actionable, forward-thinking strategies.
• 10+ years of progressive legal experience, preferably in construction law, litigation and regulatory oversight.
• Local to the KC Metropolitan preferred.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Proactive, business-minded legal approach, balancing risk management with operational goals.
• Master service agreements, subcontracts, purchase/work orders, and NDAs
• Background in AEC, manufacturing, industrial, or similar environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor legal teams, driving high performance and engagement.
• Experience managing people, leading legal teams and advising executive leadership on complex legal matters.
• Strong executive presence with the proven ability to influence and guide senior leadership.
• High ethical standards, serving as a champion for corporate integrity and responsible business practices.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, fostering collaboration across teams.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

Benefits

• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Incentive bonus plan
• Life insurance, AD&D, and disability benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with match
• Competitive pay
• Flexible paid time off policy and paid holidays
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision insurance plans with flexible spending account option
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance