Risk Counsel

DPR; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

DPR Construction is seeking a Lead Risk Counsel in the Atlanta area who will identify, assess, and communicate complex legal risks to enable informed decision-making and safeguard organizational interests. You will advise leadership and cross-functional teams on legal and contractual matters and risk mitigation aligned with company values.

The role oversees the resolution of risk-related matters, ensuring consistency in approach and alignment with risk tolerance and professional standards.

Qualifications

• JD required and licensed to practice in the relevant state.
• 8–10 years of experience in risk management or legal counsel.
• Experience in construction industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors the evaluation and management of significant risks, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and risk appetite.
• Advises leadership on potential impact of risks and recommends actionable mitigation plans.
• Leads the identification and resolution of standard and complex risk issues, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to address risks.
• Implements risk management policies, guidance, procedures, and training programs to enhance consistency and effectiveness.
• Manages and develops other Risk Counsel and/or Subcontract Managers, ensuring consistent practices and quality of work.
• Reviews contracts and advises leaders and teams on contractual rights, obligations, and potential risks, providing actionable recommendations.

Skills

Risk management

Legal counsel

Contract review

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Job Description

At DPR, roles and responsibilities are more than describing a job title—they are a commitment to building great things together. The job description(s) below defines core responsibilities and the scope of the role and is a starting point. Every employee is expected to lead from where they are, take ownership of outcomes, and always act in the best interest of the team, customer, project and organization.

As a purpose-driven organization on a journey to be most admired, we rely on trust, shared leadership, open communication, disciplined action and a deep respect for the individual to drive exceptional performance. Success is not just about what we build, but who we build and how we build it: with integrity, enjoyment, uniqueness and an ever-forward mindset.

Job Summary

Leads the identification, assessment, and communication of complex legal risks to enable informed decision-making and safeguard organizational interests. Advises leadership and cross-functional teams on legal and contractual matters and risk mitigation strategies that align with organizational objectives and values. Oversees the resolution of risk-related matters, ensuring consistency in approach and alignment with risk tolerance and professional standards. Anticipates emerging risks and implements proactive measures to reduce legal exposure and support effective, timely resolution of potential issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitors the evaluation and management of significant risks, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and risk appetite.
• Advises leadership on the potential impact of risks and recommends actionable mitigation plans to support successful outcomes.
• Leads the identification and resolution of standard and complex risk issues, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to address risks and elevate key issues.
• Implements risk management policies, guidance, procedures, and training programs to enhance consistency and effectiveness.
• Manages and develops other Risk Counsel and/or Subcontract Managers, ensuring consistent practices and quality of work.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to embed risk management practices into business processes.
• Reviews contracts and advises leaders and teams on contractual rights, obligations, and potential risks, providing actionable recommendations.

Education Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD) degree required.

Work Experience

8-10 years of experience in risk management, legal counsel, or a related field required. Experience in a combination of law firm and in-house counsel preferred.

Certifications and Licenses

State Bar License required.

In the role, you will work closely with the Insurance and Surety Risk Counseling Services Leader to support DPR and its related entities on matters of risk management, corporate insurance and surety programs, contractual risk transfer, and construction contracting. This role has a dual focus: providing legal support on insurance, surety, and risk allocation issues, while also serving as a backup resource to DPR’s contracting counsel team on broader contract review and negotiation needs across a variety of construction agreements, including Owner contracts, subcontracts, supply agreements, and professional services contracts.

Compensation Range: $134,000-$171,000

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.

Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together—by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.

Explore our open opportunities at www.dpr.com/careers.