Senior Counsel - Supply Chain

Why Black and Veatch

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day one.  

At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.

The Opportunity

The Senior Counsel Attorney will play a pivotal role in supporting the company’s legal and business operations, focusing on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex procurement, IT, consultancy and construction-related contracts. This attorney will work closely with all B&V business units, project managers, and external stakeholders to ensure that all procurement, IT, consultancy and construction-related contracts in B&V’s global operations align with the company’s objectives, mitigate risk, and comply with the applicable laws and regulations. 

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in procurement and construction related transactional laws, including EPC and Design-Build models, a strong understanding of procurement and construction industry’s standard processes, practices, financing, risk management and compensation models, risk identification and mitigation, and a proactive approach to resolving complex legal matters. 

The Team

Black & Veatch’s Business Enablement consists of critical groups that help enable the organizations people, projects, and businesses to be as successful as possible. Functions in this group include Digital & Information Technology, Global Finance, Global Human Resources, Legal, Risk Management, and Government Affairs and Real Estate and Building Services.  The successful candidate will work closely with all such B&V groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of complex procurement, IT, consultancy, leasing, services and construction-related agreements, including but not limited to, purchase order, NDAs, service agreements, consultancy contracts, SaaS, EULAs, IP licensing agreement, leasing or rental contracts and construction-related contracts, subcontracts, service agreements, and procurement contracts; and project-specific flowdown processes. 
• Provide legal advice and guidance to all B&V business units’ concerns with respect to the above, including project delivery methods (e.g., design-build, CM at risk, and traditional contracting), risk mitigation strategies, and ancillary topics such as insurance, financial security, and compliance with applicable laws. 
• Advise and support business teams with regard to strategies to mitigate risks and potential disputes, and support proactive change management in various services or construction projects. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including project managers, engineers, and procurement departments, as well as finance, tax, treasury and insurance experts to address legal concerns related to ongoing and upcoming projects. 
• Assist in the resolution of disputes, including the preparation of claims, arbitration, and litigation support. Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws and industry regulations, including construction safety standards, labor laws, and environmental regulations. 
• Maintain and update templates and best practices for various contracts and legal documentation. 
• Conduct legal research and stay current on industry trends, changes in laws, and relevant case law. Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders and attorneys on legal issues related to construction contracts and project management, and related issues such as intellectual property, lien law/payment rights, indemnity, change order entitlements, and support projects during execution to ensure successful outcomes. 

Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admitted to practice in Kansas. 
• 5+ years of continuing experience in activity transactional and constructional law practices, with a focus on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating EPC and Design-Build related subcontracts. 
• Strong understanding of procurement and construction industry standards, regulations, and project management practices. Experience with dispute resolution mechanisms in the construction industry, including litigation, mediation, and arbitration. 
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to providing accurate, high-quality legal counsel and work product. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external parties. 
• Proactive, business-oriented mindset with a focus on practical solutions to legal challenges and efficient management of processes. 
• Experience working in-house for a construction or engineering company in the power, oil/gas, energy and/or data center markets. 
• Working knowledge of various technologies such as simple/combined cycle power, solar power, distributed infrastructure, FLNG, and data center development, including financing models for each. Experienced with insurance, bonding, financial security and surety issues. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree required
• Licensed to practice law in at least 1 jurisdiction
• Typically 3+ years of experience
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.