Director of Contracts and Legal Affairs in Poole

We are one of the leading mechanical contractors in the eastern United States. Our construction and service (mechanical and electrical) experience includes a broad range of commercial and government projects, including data centers, hospitals, sports stadiums, convention centers, hotels, and research laboratories.

Job Summary:

• Location: Baltimore, Maryland 21227
• Reports to: President and CEO
• FLSA Status: Full-Time / Exempt
• Work Shift: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Mon. – Fri.

Summary:

The Director, Contracts Administration in-house Counsel supports the legal contractual management needs of The Poole and Kent Corporation (An EMCOR Company) by leading the drafting, review, negotiation, and administration of complex construction and commercial contracts. This role works closely with executive leadership, operations, estimating, procurement, and risk management to mitigate risk, support project delivery, and ensure contractual compliance across all phases of the project lifecycle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Construction & Commercial Contracting: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of construction-related agreements, including prime contracts (public and private sector), subcontracts and supplier agreements, purchase order agreements, design, design-build, and professional services contracts, change orders, amendments, and contract modifications. Advise on contract terms related to schedule, scope, payment, retainage, indemnity, bonding, warranties, and limitations of liability.
• Legal Risk Management: Identify and assess contractual, financial, and operational risks associated with projects. Support dispute avoidance strategies and assist with contract claims outside the scope of insurable claim matters, disputes, mediation, arbitration, and litigation management (in coordination with outside counsel).
• Project Lifecycle Support: Provide legal guidance during pre-construction, bidding, execution, and close-out phases. Support estimating and operations teams with contract interpretation and compliance. Advise on subcontractor and purchase order/vendor default, termination, suspension, and project recovery issues.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including public procurement requirements, licensing, and contracting regulations.
• Process Improvement & Training: Develop and maintain standard contract templates, risk matrices, and negotiation playbooks. Improve contract management processes and support use of internal technologies. Train project managers, estimators, and executives on contract risks, best practices, and negotiation strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a trusted legal advisor to executive leadership, project executives, and operational teams. Collaborate closely with finance, HR/Risk Management, compliance, safety, and procurement departments.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. You must be work authorized in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Maryland, or Virginia.
• 5–10+ years of experience in construction law, commercial contracting, or related legal practice (law firm and/or in house).
• Strong familiarity with construction contract structures, risk allocation, and industry standards.
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior in house experience with a general contractor, construction manager, or large specialty contractor.
• Experience with public works projects and government contracts.
• Familiarity with industry standard forms (e.g., AIA, ConsensusDocs, various types of construction contract methodology, GMP, Lump Sum, IDP, etc.).
• Knowledge of construction claims, schedule impacts, and cost recovery issues.

Computer Skills: Must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, (i.e. Outlook, Word and Excel). Working knowledge of project and financial software a plus.

Required Attributes:

• Practical, business oriented legal judgment.
• Ability to balance legal risk with operational realities.
• Strong communication skills for non-legal audiences.
• Ability to manage high volume, high value contracts under tight deadlines.
• Must demonstrate integrity, honesty, professionalism, and appropriate concern regarding dissemination of sensitive and confidential information.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work well in a team oriented work environment and flexibility to take on added responsibilities when department demands present with additional workload.
• Must demonstrate professional self-discipline and initiative in performing work, attention to detail and committed to performing work within specified deadlines.
• Must prioritize and organize work in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment.
• Must build positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees, management, suppliers, and customers.
• Must demonstrate commitment to company values and safety culture.

Language Skills: Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in English, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of customer, employees, unions, government agencies, vendors and suppliers, and other contractor organizations.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, and controls. The employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success.