Director of Legal and Commerical

Director of Legal & Commercial | Maverick Constructors

Maverick Constructors is seeking a highly strategic, commercially minded Director of Legal & Commercial to take ownership of our overall contractual and commercial risk management. Reporting directly to the President, this is not a traditional behind-the-desk legal role. We are looking for a proactive leader who understands how construction projects actually operate and can identify issues long before they become major problems.

You will serve as the crucial bridge between our legal strategy and daily project execution, partnering across Operations, Estimating, Finance, and Business Development. Whether evaluating go/no-go pursuit decisions, negotiating major contracts, or guiding project teams through complex claims, you will safeguard Maverick’s commercial interests while optimizing our outside legal spend.

Who We Are

Maverick Constructors is a premier heavy civil and marine construction company built on strength, precision, and performance. Headquartered in Louisiana, we are the team trusted to deliver large-scale, complex projects—from mass excavation, site development, and roadway construction to critical marine work like coastal restoration, dredging, and shoreline protection.

Equipped with a modern fleet, advanced technology, and some of the most experienced crews in the industry, we execute every project with the highest standards of safety and quality. At Maverick, we believe our people are the foundation of our success. We are looking for driven professionals who want to build lasting results and shape the future of heavy construction across the Gulf.

Primary Responsibilities

Commercial Risk & Project Oversight

• Provide complete contract management oversight throughout the entire lifecycle of Maverick projects, moving beyond initial contract execution.
• Identify key pre-execution contractual risks, including indemnity, insurance, payment terms, schedule obligations, liquidated damages, and differing site conditions.
• Partner directly with project managers to ensure contractual notice, documentation, and compliance requirements are strictly followed.
• Oversee the commercial aspects of change orders, Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), claims, back charges, delays, and subcontractor/owner disputes.
• Establish and maintain a contract and commercial risk register for major projects.
• Participate heavily in pursuit/go-no-go decisions, project kickoff meetings, and monthly project reviews to preemptively spot commercial problems.
• Drive commercial project closeout, ensuring resolution of outstanding change orders, claims, releases, and retainage.
• Coordinate with Finance on collections, disputed receivables, liens, bonds, and other matters impacting cash flow.
• Provide specialized oversight on USACE and other federal projects regarding modifications, REAs, and contractual compliance.

Legal Management & Corporate Strategy

• Manage and oversee all outside legal counsel, directing case strategy, responsiveness, budgets, and overall legal spend.
• Maintain clear visibility over litigation, claims, demands, liens, bond matters, and other significant legal exposures, providing regular reporting to executive leadership.
• Review, draft, and negotiate prime contracts, subcontracts, purchase agreements, NDAs, teaming agreements, and JV agreements.
• Develop and implement standardized commercial documents (contracts, terms, notices, releases) and establish a clear contract authority matrix for the company.
• Provide ongoing contract and commercial training to Project Managers, Estimators, Superintendents, and other operational personnel.
• Assist executive leadership with corporate transactions, including acquisitions, financing, and partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications & Education

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field. A Juris Doctor (JD) and active law license are highly beneficial.
• Experience: 10+ years of robust experience in construction contract management, claims analysis, and commercial project management.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep, practical understanding of how heavy construction projects operate in the field. Experience with USACE or federal contracting is highly preferred.
• Skillset: Highly commercially minded. You must possess the ability to read complex legal language and translate it into actionable operational strategies for field and finance teams.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate directly with cross-functional teams (Operations, PMs, Estimating, Accounting) without relying solely on positional authority.

Total Rewards & Executive Benefits

At Maverick Constructors, we know that attracting top-tier commercial leadership requires a compensation package that goes beyond the basics. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Base Salary: Commensurate with your executive-level experience in heavy civil and marine construction.
• Vehicle Allowance & Fuel Card: A dedicated vehicle allowance and fuel card to support your business-related travel.
• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to fully support you and your family, as well as a company-paid life/AD&D benefit, and voluntary ancillary plans such as Short & Long-Term Disability, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, and more.
• Executive Flexibility & PTO: Generous Paid Time Off and schedule flexibility designed for leaders who manage their own time and deliver results. This role operates primarily on-site at our corporate headquarters, with a flexible, hybrid schedule available to support the deep, focused analysis required for complex contract review.
• Professional Investment: Full financial coverage for active bar licensure dues, Continuing Legal Education (CLE), and relevant industry certifications.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional travel to active construction sites, which may require walking over uneven terrain, standing for extended periods, and wearing standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times.