Corporate Counsel/Director of Risk Management

Corporate Counsel/Director of Risk Management Location:

Duluth, GA Reports To:

CEO/CFO/President Employment Type:

Full-Time, In Person About Ordner Construction Ordner Construction is a mid-size commercial general contractor founded in 1987. We specialize in light industrial, big box retail, medical, and office construction projects. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, with offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, Mobile, Alabama, and Dallas, Texas. At Ordner, we pride ourselves on delivering quality projects and building strong, lasting relationships with our clients across the Southeast and beyond. Position Overview The Corporate Counsel/Director of Risk Management will serve as the company's sole in-house legal resource and primary advisor to executive leadership and operational teams. This role is responsible for providing practical, business-focused legal guidance across all aspects of the company's construction operations, with a strong emphasis on contract management, risk prevention, compliance, and dispute avoidance. Qualifications 5-10+ years of legal experience, with a strong preference for experience in construction, real estate, or commercial law Prior in-house experience or experience supporting general contractors, construction managers, or design-build firms strongly preferred. Strong working knowledge of construction contracts (AIA or similar), risk allocation, claims avoidance, and dispute resolution processes. Experience advising business and operations teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Demonstrated ability to identify legal risk and provide practical, business-oriented solutions. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate legal concepts for non-legal stakeholders. Ability to independently manage multiple matters and prioritize competing deadlines in a lean environment. Key Responsibilities Legal Advisory & Business Partnership Serve as the company's primary in-house legal advisor to executive leadership and operations teams. Provide practical, solution-oriented legal guidance across construction operations, contracts, risk, and compliance matters. Translate legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders. Contracts & Construction Law Draft, review, and negotiate construction-related agreements, including owner contracts, subcontracts, supplier agreements, and design professional agreements. Advise on contract interpretation, scope issues, change orders, delays, and project risk allocations. Support project teams in identifying and mitigating contractual and operational risks. Risk Management & Compliance Identify and help mitigate legal and contractual risks across active construction projects. Advise on applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including licensing, bonding, and insurance obligations. Partner with operations and risk management teams to support safety, insurance, and compliance initiatives. Claims & Dispute Support Support the early identification, documentation, and organization of potential construction claims and disputes. Coordinate internal fact gathering, project documentation, and timelines in anticipation of or response to claims. Serve as the internal liaison to outside counsel engaged for formal dispute resolution, arbitration, or litigation matters. Assist project teams in claim avoidance strategies and best practices for documentation and communication. Outside Counsel Coordination Engage and manage outside counsel as needed for specialized legal matters, including litigation, arbitration, and complex disputes. Ensure efficient communication of facts, documents, and business context to external legal partners. Help align internal stakeholders with outside legal counsel guidance and recommendations. Training & Internal Guidance Provide training and guidance to project and operations teams on contract compliance, risk awareness, and legal best practices. Support development of internal processes that reduce legal exposure and improve contract execution. Compensation & Environment Competitive base salary ($120,000-$130,000) with bonus potential. Sole in-house legal role within a growing construction company. High autonomy and direct exposure to executive leadership. Broad, hands-on responsibility across all legal and risk matters. Ordner Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Pay:

$120,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person