In-House Counsel

MKH Search Limited; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MKH Search Limited seeks an experienced In-House Legal Counsel to serve as the lead legal partner for a top ENR general contractor in Portland, Maine. You will embed in day-to-day operations, guiding risk, contracts, and strategy across multiple functions.

You will draft, review, and negotiate key contracts, advise on insurance and compliance, and help shape internal policies. This role offers strategic impact and collaboration with leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal experience in construction.
• Deep understanding of general contractor-side contracts and risk profiles.
• A strong communicator with sound judgment and a commercial mindset.
• Someone comfortable speaking up and constructively challenging ideas, while remaining a team player.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate owner, subcontractor, vendor, and consultant contracts.
• Advise on insurance, compliance, OSHA, and environmental matters.
• Develop internal policies and delivering training to project teams and leadership.
• Managing claims and disputes, including oversight of external counsel when needed.
• Providing occasional support to ownership on private legal matters.

Skills

Legal experience

Construction knowledge

Contract negotiation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Job description

In-House Legal Counsel - Top ENR General Contractor | Portland, Maine

We’re supporting a well-established and fast-growing contractor ($1B+ in revenue) in their search for a high-caliber In-House Counsel to join their established legal function. This role will serve as the lead legal partner for the company, with meaningful ownership and the opportunity to influence legal and commercial strategy. With several hundred employees and a strong reputation across the civil and commercial construction space, the company continues to scale and is seeking someone who can contribute strategically while supporting operations across the business.

The Role:

This is a strategic and hands-on opportunity to join an established legal team and serve as a trusted legal partner to the business. You’ll be embedded in day-to-day operations and collaborate closely with leadership, risk, and project functions, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the company. Your focus will include providing internal legal leadership through proactive risk management, contract strategy, and practical operational guidance.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating key contracts (owner, subcontractor, vendor, consultant)
• Advising on insurance, compliance, OSHA, and environmental matters
• Developing internal policies and delivering training to project teams and leadership
• Managing claims and disputes, including oversight of external counsel when needed
• Providing occasional support to ownership on private legal matters

Who You Are:

• 5+ years of legal experience in construction (from private practice or in-house)
• Deep understanding of general contractor-side contracts and risk profiles
• A strong communicator with sound judgment and a commercial mindset
• Someone comfortable speaking up and constructively challenging ideas, while remaining a team player
• Based in (or willing to relocate to) the Portland, Maine area as they have multiple offices so some flexibility offered.
• Competitive & will be right.