Head of Legal and Risk Management

K

Knutson Construction

Head of Legal and Risk Management

Minneapolis, MN
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Celebrated as one of Minnesota's Top Workplaces! Knutson Construction is accepting applications for a Head of Legal and Risk Management to join our team!

    “Together We Make Dreams Real” – that is our purpose as a company and we exist to work in concert with each other, owners, design professionals and trade partners to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Together, we've created a dynamic, fun, inspiring environment where we can be ourselves and grow each day. Knutson is deeply committed to cultivating and upholding diversity throughout our workforce, relationships, and communities. We recognize the utmost importance of continually advancing our comprehension of diversity, equity, and inclusion as transformative forces within our work, industry, and company values.

    At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.

    Knutson Construction is ready to welcome a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative leader for the Head of Legal and Risk Management role to provide risk management and in-house legal leadership across the enterprise, in strong alignment with Knutson's Zero Incident Safety Culture. This role reports directly to the President and enjoys a proactive partnership with the entire Leadership Team.

    The Head of Legal and Risk Management will provide comprehensive thought leadership, strategic legal perspective, guidance, and oversight of legal and risk management strategies.

    This role will lead Knutson's in-house legal activities and comprehensive risk mitigation strategies to support the company's operational performance objectives and growth.

    This opportunity will resonate with a future team member who thrives on collaboratively leading through complexity, is passionate about proactively planning and creating risk mitigation strategies, who embraces courageous conversations when providing recommendations and counsel, and enjoys continuously adapting and improving operational and business processes to support growth.

    At Knutson, every team member is expected to effectively deliver The Knutson Experience (TKE) - making all Knutson clients, partners, and employees feel assured, inspired, and appreciated.

    Key job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

    Risk Management

    • Lead the integration of proactive risk management strategies, policies, procedures, and processes, to include comprehensive risk assessments and regular compliance audits across the company.
    • Understand, analyze, and present risks the company faces, while advising and actively leading risk prevention and mitigation strategies.
    • Collaborate with Operations project teams to plan and incorporate effective risk management practices into project execution.
    • Manage Knutson's overall insurance portfolio in collaboration across departments, ensuring adequate coverage for construction and business risks and collaboratively advise CEO and President regarding appropriate insurance strategies.
    • Analyze insurance claims data to inform and recommend risk reduction strategies.
    • Develop and manage broker and carrier relationships.
    • Design, develop, recommend, and implement various risk management strategies, guidelines, and programs.
    • Engage and train team members in risk management strategies and activities.
    • Closely partner with and advise the leadership and safety team on construction incidents.
    • Research and monitor evolving construction risks and risk management trends and evolve Knutson's practices accordingly.

    In-House Legal Leadership

    • Lead, manage and optimize in-house legal capabilities, including strategic planning, budgeting, service levels, costs, and external partnerships.
    • Provide senior leadership with legal guidance that supports and enables the achievement of strategic initiatives.
    • Represent and lead strategic actions to support Knutson with any claims and legal proceedings, including pre-litigation claims, discovery processes, suits, enforcement actions, and representation in arbitration or other forums.
    • Lead the management of all 3rd party legal representation.
    • Advise in managing and protecting the company's assets, including intellectual property, trade secrets, and other confidential information.
    • Collaborate with project managers, supervisors, and senior management to communicate and counsel on legal risks, provide timely legal advice, and facilitate informed decision-making.
    • Retain, oversee, and lead internal legal support for outside counsel as needed.
    • Advise and implement proper legal, ethics, and regulatory governance procedures related to permits, safety protocols, environmental, and labor regulations.
    • Develop and train leaders on key and emerging legal topics and trends.
    • Review and implement records retention policies and procedures.
    • Perform other duties as assigned.

    Construction Operations Support

    • Advise on legal issues relating to the company's construction operations and overall business transactions, optimizing Knutson's positioning during all phases of projects.
    • Work with business leaders to thoroughly and effectively review, draft, negotiate, and approve all contracts with key stakeholders (clients, subcontractors, consultants), including terms related to scope of work, payment schedules, change orders, warranties, and dispute resolution mechanisms to safeguard company interests.
    • Oversee the development, updating, maintenance, and training on the use of evolving standard contracts, forms and templates.
    • Lead risk mitigation and risk response actions that efficiently pursue, prevent, defend, or resolve claims and disputes.

    Minimum Education and/or Experience Requirements:

    • Juris Doctorate, with an active Minnesota law license or eligibility for admission to the Minnesota Bar
    • 15+ years of legal experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) industry, risk management, or related field.

    Required Skills and Abilities:

    • Capable of developing authentic and collaborative working relationships.
    • Passionate about collaboratively growing leaders within the company.
    • Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
    • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, resulting in ability to strategically partner with other company leaders.
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
    • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
    • Demonstrated computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook).
    • Effectively navigates complex and confidential matters aligned with company values and ethics.

    **Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
    **

    • Thorough knowledge of risk management and mitigation strategies and practices.
    • Strong understanding of the insurance industry, policies, coverage needs, claims process, terminology, and trends.
    • Specialized legal experience and expertise in corporate law.
    • Knowledge and understanding of construction practices and related risk management principles.
    • Experience working within a privately held, family-owned business.

    **Other
    **

    • May require minimal travel, including occasional visits to other offices or construction job sites, which may involve walking on uneven terrain, climbing stairs, exposure to outdoor elements.

    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

    Projected Minimum Base Salary per year $130,000

    Projected Maximum Base Salary per year $200,000 **
    **