Group General Counsel

Overview

The organization is seeking a Group General Counsel to lead the legal function for the organization and the broader government group. Reporting to the President and serving on the leadership team, this role acts as the organization’s lead legal advisor and partners closely with the corporate legal team. The position leads a team of two, including the Contracts function.

The work supports infrastructure and mission support activities at sensitive federal sites, including Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration installations. This role is not limited to back-office review; it is embedded in pursuit, teaming, and delivery decisions alongside Operations, Finance, and project teams.

Responsibilities

Legal Leadership & Executive Counsel

• Serve as lead legal advisor to the organization and principal legal contact for the President, leadership team, and corporate legal, reporting risk exposure and program status on an agreed cadence.
• Develop policies, templates, playbooks, and delegations of authority that enable the business to move quickly.
• Advise on growth plans, new site standups, and pursuit decisions, while supporting corporate governance and entity management.

Government Contracts & Federal Compliance

• Serve as the legal authority on the FAR, DFARS, and the DOE Acquisition Regulation (DEAR), including clause interpretation, flowdowns, and negotiation of terms.
• Review and negotiate prime contracts, task orders, teaming agreements, NDAs, joint venture and mentor protege arrangements, and subcontracts—focusing on risk allocation, indemnity, liability limits, warranty, and insurance.
• Advise on organizational conflicts of interest, procurement integrity, contingent fee and gratuity rules, mandatory disclosure, False Claims Act exposure, and debarment risk.
• Support equitable adjustment requests, Contract Disputes Act claims, terminations, stop work orders, government audits, and proposal terms, including exceptions, certifications, debriefings, and protests.
• Lead the Contracts team and partner with Finance on cost allowability under FAR Part 31, Cost Accounting Standards, DCAA audit support, and certified cost or pricing data.
• Advise on small business subcontracting, export controls, controlled information handling, and DFARS cybersecurity and CMMC obligations.

Ethics, Compliance & Investigations

• Continue developing the ethics and business conduct program, including code of conduct, hotline intake and triage, conflict of interest disclosures, required training, and the compliance calendar.
• Conduct internal investigations with People & Workforce Operations, Operations, corporate legal, and outside counsel, including corrective action.
• Advise on anticorruption, gifts, lobbying, and use of federal funds.

Labor & Employment

• Advise People & Workforce Operations on classification, wage and hour, accommodation, leave, performance management, discipline, and separations.
• Support service contract labor standards, prevailing wage, collective bargaining, affirmative action, OFCCP obligations, and agency audits.

Commercial Contracting & Transactions

• Draft and negotiate vendor, supplier, master service, software, license, lease, and professional services agreements.
• Maintain templates to reduce unnecessary legal review for routine work.
• Support diligence, integration, and intercompany arrangements across operating companies.

Risk Management & Disputes

• Identify legal and regulatory risk and recommend practical mitigation.
• Manage disputes from first demand through litigation, arbitration, or administrative proceedings.
• Partner with Risk Management and Finance on insurance, surety, and indemnity.
• Track legal budget and outside counsel spend.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the Legal, Compliance, and Contracts team.
• Represent the function in leadership forums and customer meetings.
• Build relationships across Operations, Project Delivery, Finance, Information Technology, Supply Chain, and People & Workforce Operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Two direct reports: Labor Compliance Advisor and Contracts Manager.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law and in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
  • Support is available for registered in-house counsel status where required by the state of residence.
• 6 to 10 years of progressive legal experience.
  • A mix of law firm and in-house experience is welcome; depth from federal government service is also valued.
• Working knowledge of federal government contracting law, including FAR and DFARS, with the judgment to apply it to live business decisions.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating contracts and advising senior leaders.
  • Ability to reach a clear position when facts are incomplete and timelines are short.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
  • Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to executives, government customers, and auditors.
• High integrity, professionalism, and discretion with sensitive information.
  • Comfort operating autonomously while knowing when to escalate to corporate legal.
• Experience selecting and managing outside counsel and legal spend, or readiness to take on these responsibilities.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain site access and/or security clearance required by assigned contracts.
  • DOE “L” or “Q” clearance eligibility may be required.
• Willingness to travel to Houston and to project sites as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the federal government legal space, including in-house counsel at a federal contractor, an agency Office of General Counsel, a contracting activity, a government contracts practice, or service as a judge advocate.
• Experience supporting DOE, NNSA, DoW (formerly DoD), or other federal agency contracts, including work on government controlled sites.
• Familiarity with construction, engineering, energy, or industrial services work, including subcontract structures and project delivery risk.
• Experience with bid protests before the Government Accountability Office or the Court of Federal Claims, and claims before a board of contract appeals.

Compensation & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Access to mental health support and resources
• 160 hours of paid time off per calendar year, prorated in the year of hire based on the employee’s start date, plus 11 company-observed paid holidays
• Ongoing training and development programs
• Career advancement opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Employee recognition and rewards program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options (based on plan selection)
• Maternity and paternity leave programs

Location

• Remote
• Travel: Yes
• Percent of time: 10%
• Overnight required: Yes
• Travel to Houston and to project sites as needed.

Additional Information

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, working conditions, physical demands, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Access and equal opportunity are provided for individuals with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for the application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform essential functions of the position.