What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Contract Administration position at LHH?
Director of Contract Administration (In-House Counsel)
Location: Baltimore, MD
Compensation: $135,000-$175,000 Base Salary Bonus
A well-established, industry-leading mechanical contracting organization is seeking a Director of Contract Administration (In-House Counsel) to serve as the company's primary resource for contract review, risk assessment, and contract administration. This highly visible role will work directly with executive leadership, including the CEO, to provide legal and business guidance on complex construction and commercial agreements.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Direct exposure to the CEO and executive leadership team
- Opportunity to build and influence the company's contract administration function
- High-impact role with significant visibility across the organization
- Strong support structure, including access to outside counsel for mentorship and guidance
- Long-term growth potential as the organization's primary contract and risk management resource
- Stable company with a tenured employee base and strong industry reputation
Position Overview
This individual will review, negotiate, and administer a variety of construction and commercial agreements while advising leadership on contractual risk, payment terms, liquidated damages, indemnification provisions, and other critical business considerations.
The ideal candidate can independently analyze contracts, identify areas of concern, and provide practical recommendations that balance legal protection with business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Review & Administration
- Review, draft, negotiate, and administer construction-related agreements, including:
- Prime contracts
- Subcontracts
- Supplier and vendor agreements
- Purchase order agreements
- Design-build and professional services contracts
- Amendments, change orders, and contract modifications
Risk Management
- Identify contractual, financial, and operational risks
- Provide recommendations regarding risk allocation and mitigation strategies
- Advise leadership on indemnification, warranty, retainage, liquidated damages, limitations of liability, and payment provisions
- Support dispute avoidance efforts and assist with contract-related claims and litigation matters in coordination with outside counsel
Project & Operational Support
- Provide guidance throughout the project lifecycle, from bidding and preconstruction through project closeout
- Support operations, estimating, procurement, and project management teams with contract interpretation and compliance matters
- Assist with subcontractor, vendor, and project recovery issues
Process Improvement
- Develop standard contract templates and negotiation playbooks
- Improve internal contract management processes
- Provide training and education on contract risk and best practices
Qualifications
Required
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active bar license in Maryland or Virginia
- Approximately 5-10 years of legal experience
- Experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts
- Strong drafting, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills
- Ability to communicate legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders
Preferred
- Construction law or construction contracting experience
- Experience supporting contractors, subcontractors, engineering firms, or construction-related organizations
- Familiarity with construction contract forms and delivery methods
- Prior in-house counsel experience
- Experience with public works projects and government contracts
- Understanding of contract claims, schedule impacts, and risk allocation
Additional Information
- Reports directly to the CEO
- No direct reports initially, with potential to build support staff over time
- Minimal travel required
- Primarily onsite position
- Relocation assistance available
- No sponsorship available now or in the future
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Salary : $120,000 - $180,000