Senior Transactions Counsel

The Senior Transactions Counsel leads the legal strategy and execution associated with commercial transactions, contract negotiation and management, non-insured commercial disputes and litigation, and merger and acquisition activities. This role serves as a trusted advisor to operational leadership, business development teams, and executive stakeholders across a geographically distributed organization.

The Senior Transactions Counsel provides practical, business-oriented guidance that enables informed decision-making while appropriately managing legal and commercial risk. This individual will negotiate complex agreements, oversee dispute resolution and litigation matters, direct outside counsel, and lead a team responsible for supporting a broad range of transactional legal activities. Success in this role requires strong legal judgment, commercial acumen, leadership capability, and the ability to balance risk mitigation with business objectives.

Responsibilities

Business Partnership and Operational Support

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to local, regional, and corporate leadership on transactional and commercial matters from opportunity pursuit through project completion.
• Partner with operational and business development teams early in the decision-making process to identify and evaluate contractual, financial, operational, and legal risks before commitments are made.
• Provide guidance regarding scope, pricing, scheduling obligations, liability exposure, indemnification requirements, insurance considerations, and customer contract terms.
• Build organizational risk awareness by providing training and practical guidance on contract fundamentals, high-risk provisions, escalation criteria, and legal best practices.
• Deliver responsive, practical, and business-focused legal counsel that supports organizational goals while managing risk appropriately.
• Visit operating locations and project sites as needed to develop a strong understanding of business operations and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.

Commercial Contracting

• Lead the review, drafting, negotiation, and administration of a wide variety of commercial agreements, including master service agreements, project agreements, purchase orders, subcontract agreements, vendor contracts, equipment agreements, statements of work, teaming agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other transactional documents.
• Negotiate directly with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and other counterparties regarding contractual terms, including indemnification, limitation of liability, warranty obligations, insurance requirements, termination rights, and dispute resolution provisions.
• Oversee the end-to-end contract management process, ensuring matters are handled efficiently and aligned with business timelines.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, negotiation guidelines, playbooks, and standard positions that promote consistency, efficiency, and effective risk management.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of legal and contract management systems that enhance visibility into commercial obligations, support risk identification, and provide meaningful business insights.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team responsible for contract review and transactional legal support.
• Manage performance, workload allocation, staffing needs, training initiatives, and professional development planning.
• Foster expertise in contractual risk assessment, issue identification, and negotiation strategies across the team.
• Create development opportunities that prepare team members for increased responsibility and leadership roles.
• Drive operational excellence through process improvement, workload optimization, legal technology adoption, and AI-enabled contract review tools.

Risk Management, Disputes, and Litigation

• Lead the organization's strategy and response regarding non-insured commercial disputes, including claims, demands, defaults, liens, delay claims, performance disputes, and contract interpretation issues.
• Direct commercial litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters by establishing strategy, managing outside counsel, overseeing budgets, coordinating discovery efforts, and supporting witness preparation.
• Partner closely with Risk Management and Insurance stakeholders on coverage analysis, claim administration, and dispute resolution strategy.
• Lead settlement evaluations and negotiations in collaboration with operational and executive leadership.
• Analyze dispute outcomes and lessons learned to improve contracting practices, training initiatives, risk management processes, and standard contract language.

Compliance and Strategic Advisory

• Ensure commercial transactions and contracting practices comply with company policies and applicable regulatory, legal, and industry requirements.
• Advise executive leadership on legal and transactional risks that may impact strategic objectives, operational performance, and business growth.
• Support merger, acquisition, and other strategic transaction activities, including due diligence, transaction structuring, contract analysis, and integration planning as needed.
• Collaborate with business leaders to align legal strategy with organizational priorities and long-term growth objectives.

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active law license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Seven or more years of experience in commercial contracting, transactional law, corporate law, construction law, or a related legal practice area.
• Experience managing commercial disputes and directing outside counsel.
• Demonstrated success leading, developing, and coaching high-performing teams.
• Strong ability to influence decision-making and build alignment among senior stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of contract law, liability exposure, risk allocation, and commercial transactions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and related business technologies.

Preferred

• Experience supporting organizations in construction, industrial services, energy, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, engineering, or other project-based industries.
• Significant experience negotiating indemnification, limitation of liability, warranty, insurance, and dispute resolution provisions.
• Mergers and acquisitions experience, including due diligence and transaction negotiation.
• Experience managing commercial litigation or arbitration through successful resolution.
• Experience supporting a decentralized, multi-location business environment.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management systems, legal operations technology, and AI-enabled contract review platforms.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional contract drafting, review, and negotiation skills.
• Strong business judgment and practical risk assessment capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business guidance.
• Collaborative, service-oriented leadership approach with a commitment to supporting operational success.
• Strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgment, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance resources
• Continuing legal education and professional development support
• Relocation assistance, where applicable

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $130,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $130,000 - $200,000