Contracts Specialist - Paralegal at HNTB in Kansas City, MO

Job description

• At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.
• Reviews professional services contracts and other project-related documentation to assess risk and advise project leadership on ways to mitigate risks and improve cash and financial terms with sound contract language and provisions. Will be responsible for reviewing, editing, redlining and negotiating contracts.
• Provides continuous contracting and claims support from the preliminary go stage through to project construction, completion and close out in a highly proactive and responsive manner. May support more experienced team members on large and more complex projects.

Responsibilities

• When requested, conducts project risk assessment (PRA) with team to assess project scope detail and value/risk profile to be used as basis for contract review. Using PRA conducts thorough, context sensitive review of professional service contracts and project documentation to assess risks and compliance with company's contracting policies, procedures and insurance program. Prepares and communicates risk assessments and responds to specific inquiries.
• Educates project managers, finance and project analysts, business managers and POAs in the basics of risk assessment and the role of Legal Services in contract review and risk evaluation . Serves as the primary liaison (single point of contact) to project team and coordinates with all other Legal and Risk Management, Finance/Tax and Cash Management staff and resources needed to resolve business unit needs.
• Reviews specialty contracts including but not limited to office leases, technology contracts, general business contracts, joint venture agreements, design build agreements and federal contracts. Provides support as requested for on-going or potential claim situations and in close coordination with Corporate PMA, Enterprise Operations Cash Management, Insurance, Audit and others in Risk Management.
• Works collaboratively with the Legal Executive Assistant, attorneys and contract specialists to ensure that work loads are balanced and business unit customers receive the highest level of service and responsiveness possible. Responds to inquiries from project leaders and other management in the area of risk assessment.
• Supports proposal activity as necessary, especially regarding contract language, compliance with insurance requirements and unique issues. Drafts and proposes alternative contract text to proactively mitigate/minimize risk exposure. Provides support for negotiation of contracts with clients and subconsultants.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, legal studies, or related field & 1 year of relevant experience, or
• Associate's degree in relevant field & 3 years of relevant experience, or
• Paralegal certification & 4 years of relevant experience, or
• In lieu of education or certification, 5 years of relevant experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Highly proactive and responsive to internal and external customers
• Paralegal Certificate strongly preferred
• Experience reviewing, editing, redlining and negotiating contracts

Skills

Preferred

• Paralegal Certificate