Senior Corporate Counsel (Head of Legal) (Req #: 1087)

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Summary

This role offers a unique opportunity to build NW Construction's first in-house legal function and establish the legal strategies, processes, and partnerships that will support the company's continued growth and long-term success.

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer and strategic advisor to the company. Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive leadership position provides practical, business-oriented legal counsel across all areas of the organization, including construction contracting, subcontractor agreements, design build agreements, claims and dispute resolution, labor and employment matters, government contracting, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and risk management.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative business partner who balances risk mitigation with operational and strategic objectives while helping drive the company's continued growth and success.

About NW Construction

NW Construction is a leading heavy civil contractor delivering complex infrastructure, transportation, utility, and public works projects throughout the western United States. We are committed to safety, operational excellence, and building long-term relationships with our clients, employees, and communities.

As the company continues to grow and expand its capabilities, NW Construction is establishing an in-house legal function and seeking its first General Counsel. This is a unique opportunity to help build and lead the legal strategy of a respected contractor while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership.

Location

This position is full-time onsite at our home office, located in Bozeman, MT.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Executive and Strategic Counsel

1. Serve as principal legal advisor to the CEO, President, executive leadership team, and ownership.
2. Provide strategic legal and business guidance regarding corporate initiatives, growth opportunities, and organizational risk.
3. Advise leadership on governance matters, business transactions, and enterprise risk management.
4. Support strategic planning and long-term business objectives.

Construction Contracts and Commercial Transactions

1. Lead review, drafting, and negotiation of:
2. Prime contracts
3. Subcontracts
4. Design-build agreements
5. Joint venture agreements
6. Purchase and supply agreements
7. Equipment and vendor contracts
8. Professional services agreements
9. Develop and improve contract risk management processes.
10. Advise project teams on contractual obligations, claims avoidance, and dispute resolution.

Claims, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution

1. Manage construction claims and disputes from pre-litigation through resolution.
2. Direct litigation strategy in coordination with outside counsel.
3. Evaluate legal exposure and recommend business-driven solutions.
4. Support claims negotiations, mediations, settlements, and arbitration proceedings.

Government Contracting and Regulatory Compliance

1. Provide counsel on public procurement, federal contracting, and government compliance requirements.
2. Advise on prevailing wage, certified payroll, and related compliance issues.
3. Support regulatory compliance programs and monitor legal developments affecting the construction industry.
4. Partner with operational leaders to proactively address compliance risks.

Labor and Employment

1. Advise Human Resources and management regarding:
2. Employee relations
3. Workplace investigations
4. Wage and hour matters
5. ADA, FMLA, and leave administration
6. Employee discipline and termination matters
7. Policy development and implementation
8. Manage employment-related claims and agency matters.

Risk Management and Insurance

1. Support corporate insurance strategy and claims management.
2. Review insurance provisions, indemnity obligations, and risk-transfer language in contracts.
3. Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and insurance counsel.
4. Identify opportunities to reduce organizational risk exposure.

Real Estate, Corporate, and Business Transactions

1. Support acquisitions, dispositions, easements, and real estate transactions.
2. Assist with financing arrangements and commercial transactions.
3. Participate in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships as needed.

Outside Counsel Management

1. Select, retain, and supervise outside counsel.
2. Manage legal budgets and legal spending.
3. Ensure cost-effective and efficient legal service delivery.

Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

1. Strategic thinking
2. Executive influence
3. Commercial acumen
4. Sound risk assessment
5. Accountability
6. Collaboration
7. Adaptability
8. Emotional intelligence
9. Results orientation

Work Environment

NW Construction operates in a fast-paced, relationship-driven construction environment where legal guidance must support operational execution, business objectives, and sound risk management. The General Counsel will work closely with executive leadership, project teams, operations managers, estimating, finance, human resources, safety, and business development personnel across the organization.

This position requires an individual who is comfortable operating in both boardroom and field settings and who can provide practical, timely legal advice to support project success and business growth.

Minimum Requirements

1. Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
2. Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar. Admission to the Montana Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly upon hire, strongly preferred.
3. Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
4. Demonstrated experience in construction, infrastructure, engineering, energy, industrial services, or government contracting.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior in-house legal experience.
2. Experience supporting heavy civil construction or public works contractors.
3. Experience managing construction claims and litigation.
4. Familiarity with federal contractor requirements and public procurement.
5. Experience overseeing labor and employment matters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Strong business judgment and practical problem-solving skills.
2. Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.
3. Excellent negotiation and contract drafting abilities.
4. Strong executive presence and interpersonal skills.
5. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
6. High degree of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
7. Strong leadership and relationship-building skills.

Physical Requirements

1. Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
2. Ability to travel by vehicle and air as business needs require.
3. Ability to conduct occasional jobsite visits and safely navigate active construction environments.
4. Must be able to meet all safety requirements when visiting project locations.
5. Ability to safely and effectively perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled, NWC is an E-Verify employer and is a Drug-Free Workplace.