Sr. Counsel-Construction Claims & Project Execution

Job-ID: 4389Category: Legal & ComplianceLocation: Houston, TX, United StatesSchedule: Full timePrimary PurposeSenior Counsel – Construction Claims & Project Execution will serve as the Owner’s lead legal resource for managing contractor claims, change orders, and disputes arising from major construction projects. The role will work closely with Project Management, Project Controls, Engineering, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, and outside counsel.The successful candidate will combine sophisticated construction-law experience with a practical understanding of major construction agreements including EPC project execution, major equipment supply agreements and will be responsible for protecting the Owner’s contractual and commercial position from initial claim identification through negotiation and final resolution. This position requires an attorney who can operate autonomously and effectively at the intersection of law, project execution, project controls, and commercial strategy and who approaches claims proactively rather than simply managing disputes after they arise.QualificationsQualificationsJ.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.At least ten years of construction/EPC legal experience, preferably involving major power, energy, infrastructure, industrial, or similar capital projects.Significant experience representing owners, developers, utilities, or project sponsors in contractor claims and disputes.Demonstrated experience with EPC change orders, delay and disruption claims, schedule analysis, requests for equitable adjustment, and construction damages.Working knowledge of CPM scheduling, project controls, cost reporting, and construction claims methodology.Experience negotiating with major EPC contractors and managing construction counsel, scheduling experts, and damages consultants.Experience with large lump-sum or lump-sum-turnkey EPC projects strongly preferred.Certifications and LicensesMust be licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. state.Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).Preferred QualificationsIn-house experience managing construction claims.Experience in an operations-heavy, project-based, industrial, construction, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, or similar business environment.Background in litigation, safety, environmental issues, contractor disputes, or project claims.Experience with union contractors and federal obligations around Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship requirements.Prior law firm experience in litigation, employment, regulatory, compliance, investigations, or construction disputes.Experience reporting to or supporting senior leadership, project lenders, insurers, compliance committees, audit committees, special committees, or boards.Experience managing outside counsel budgets, legal spend, matter reporting, and litigation reserves.Strong legal judgment and risk assessment.Litigation and claims strategy.External counsel management.Sound analytical skills.Ability to balance legal risk with operational and business realities.High integrity and discretion.Clear, concise, and practical communication.Executive presence and credibility with senior leaders.Cross-functional collaboration.Strong project and matter management.Ability to manage multiple urgent, confidential, and high-risk matters simultaneously.ResponsibilitiesKey ResponsibilitiesLead legal evaluation and management of contractor and vendor claims for EPC, construction and other large equipment contract, change orders, requests for equitable adjustment, and disputes.Assess contractual entitlement, notice compliance, causation, critical-path impact, compensability, concurrency, mitigation, and quantum.Evaluate delay, disruption, acceleration, productivity, differing-site-condition, force majeure, escalation, and scope-change claims.Work directly with Project Controls and scheduling experts to evaluate CPM schedules, critical-path impacts, schedule logic, float, concurrent delay, and requests for extensions of time.Review claimed costs, including labor, equipment, subcontractor costs, extended general conditions, productivity losses, acceleration costs, escalation, overhead, and contractual markups.Determine whether claimed work constitutes base scope, changed work, contractor means and methods, correction of defective work, contractor-caused impacts, or a compensable Owner-directed change.Ensure compliance with contractual notice, change-management, documentation, approval, and time-bar requirements.Draft and negotiate change orders, amendments, releases, waivers, settlements, and reservation-of-rights communications.Develop strategies to identify and address potential claims before they mature into significant disputes.Ensure project communications, directives, payments, and field decisions do not inadvertently create constructive changes, waive contractual requirements, or establish unintended entitlement.Develop affirmative Owner claims, including liquidated damages, backcharges, defective-work claims, warranty claims, performance-guarantee claims, indemnification rights, and recovery of increased Owner costs.Lead or support negotiations with EPC contractors, claims consultants, and counsel and manage outside construction counsel and technical experts as appropriate.Provide senior management with concise assessments of material claims, including claimed amount, Owner exposure, contractual position, factual strengths and weaknesses, schedule implications, settlement strategy, and recommended action.Train and advise project personnel regarding claims avoidance, contemporaneous documentation, privilege, contractual notices, and preservation of Owner rights.Ensure material claims, change orders, settlements, waivers, and other contractual or commercial commitments are evaluated and advanced through appropriate Company approval and governance channels, including compliance with applicable Delegation of Authority (“DOA”) requirements and obtaining executive-level approval where required.Identify and timely escalate material legal, commercial, financial, schedule, execution, and precedent risks to appropriate executive leadership, providing clear, decision-oriented advice regarding potential exposure, available alternatives, contractual leverage, and recommended mitigation measures.Advise executive leadership regarding significant contractor claims and proposed resolutions in the context of the Company’s overall risk profile, risk tolerance, project objectives, and commercial strategy, enabling informed decisions regarding acceptance, mitigation, transfer, negotiation, or escalation of risk.Coordinate with Project, Commercial, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure proposed resolutions are appropriately documented, supported by the project record, and approved at the appropriate organizational level before commitments are made on behalf of the Company.Promote disciplined decision-making and accountability by ensuring that significant departures from contractual rights, established project positions, or approved commercial parameters are expressly identified, appropriately escalated, and authorized in accordance with the Company’s DOA and governance requirements.About the company Tallgrass was named one of the Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life. At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program. Industry competitive payHealth insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings AccountsInfertility CoverageParental Leave401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%Wellness Programs and Mental Health ResourcesEmployer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverageCritical Illness & Accident InsuranceVacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time offIdentity theft protectionAnnual discretionary bonusGenerous Tuition Reimbursement ProgramCompany-paid holidays and floating holidaysCompany vehicle (if applicable)Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and moreNetworking and employee engagement eventsPersonal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interestsApplication Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications. Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future. Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass's request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases. EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.