Senior Managing Counsel

Position Summary: 

The Senior Managing Counsel ensures AGC effectively represents and advocates for the construction industry on all regulatory and judicial advocacy matters. This role provides subject matter expertise related to construction risk management, including insurance coverage, surety bonding, contract administration, safety and health, environmental, labor, employment law and other subjects/instruments related to controlling the risks inherent in a changing construction industry. 

Essential Responsibilities & Duties: 

Leads Association Judicial Advocacy Efforts

• Leads judicial advocacy portfolio on legal matters impacting the construction industry through amicus curiae briefs and litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal and state courts related to regulatory actions and broader areas of law impacting construction 
• Collaborates with in-house legal staff on AGC’s judicial advocacy work including amicus curiae briefs and litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal and state courts related to regulatory actions and broader areas of law impacting construction (with a focus on ensuring that operations are running smoothly and according to plan) 
• Collaborates with AGC in-house legal staff on judicial advocacy in which the association becomes involved including: Developing strategy and coordinating with other trade associations; Selecting and directing outside counsel; and Reviewing legal briefs and filings 
• Evaluates requests for litigation assistance and recommends whether the association should support such requests   
• Engages and directs outside counsel as and to the extent necessary to manage or involve the association in any judicial advocacy on issues within portfolio 
• Manages all document production and retention associated with AGC’s judicial advocacy efforts (with a focus on coordination, organization, and execution) including: Requests for Litigation Support; Reports to AGC’s Board of Directors; Legal Spending Tracker; SharePoint folders with court documents and other legal paperwork  

Supervises Subject Matter Experts, Counsel for Regulatory and Litigation Advocacy, and Counsel for Construction Law and Contracts

• Supervises the safety and health department, Senior Director of Environmental Services, Counsel for Regulatory and Litigation Advocacy, and Counsel for Construction Law and Contracts – and monitors and evaluates staff performance 
• Oversees the development and updates to ConsensusDocs contract documents and resources and coalition outreach 
• Oversees the areas of the association website on construction risk management, safety and health, energy and environment, and contracts and law 
• Drafts or contributes to newsletter articles, bulletins, press releases, letters, comments, testimony, statements, and similar materials 
• Collaborates within the Department and wider organization to ensure information sharing on educational content, webinars, and other matters 

Provides Subject Matter Expertise on Construction Risk Management

• Manages annual conferences and provides subject matter expertise to the association on construction risk management, and important topics identified by lawyers and risk managers for construction firms including contract risk management, labor and employment related risks, environmental risks, and more. 
• Organizes and executes annual conference on surety bonding and construction risk management 
• Oversees biannual meetings for in-house lawyers and in-house risk managers of AGC member firms 
• Monitors and reports on public and private activities relevant to surety bonding and construction risk management and assists in developing and articulating positions on pertinent issues  
• Develops and maintains sound working relationships with the in-house lawyers and risk managers of AGC member firms, and with the surety and insurance industries 
• Maintains liaison with counterparts in other trade associations in the construction and other industries 
• Responds to chapters and members requesting information or assistance with any matter that falls within the risk management portfolio 
• Provides such subject matter and other support as the association requires to organize and execute its annual convention and its annual National-Chapter Leadership Conference 
• Organizes and executes educational programs and develops guidance materials like webinars or other resources on construction risk management and related topics 
• Provides staff support for the Risk Management Advisory Committee 

Manages AGC Responses on all Regulatory Matters

• Insures that the Risk team coordinates with Workforce and Advocacy teams as well as other subject matter experts to respond to all regulatory matters impacting the construction industry 
• Manges SME(s) who track all Executive Orders, proposed rules, interim final rules, final rules, and requests for information to ensure timely responses 

Other

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar. 
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, that may include experience in construction law, risk management, labor law, procurement law, environmental law and employment law, or regulatory advocacy. 
• Demonstrated experience managing or contributing to appellate litigation, including amicus curiae briefs, preferably in federal appellate courts and/or the U.S. Supreme Court. 
• Knowledge of business risk allocation mechanisms, such as insurance coverage, contract administration, safety and health, environmental compliance, and/or labor and employment matters. 
• Experience supervising attorneys and/or subject matter experts, including performance management and team development. 
• Proven ability to develop and execute legal strategy in coordination with outside counsel, trade associations, and coalition partners. 
• Experience managing departmental budgets, forecasting expenses, and tracking legal spending. 
• Familiarity with regulatory processes, including notice-and-comment rulemaking, executive orders, and agency guidance. 
• Exceptional legal research, analytical, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to draft high-quality briefs, comments, testimony, and policy materials. 
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously and meet strict deadlines. 
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with experience engaging boards of directors, committees, members, industry partners, and external stakeholders. 
• Experience working in or with trade associations, member-driven organizations, or advocacy-focused entities is strongly preferred. 

Work Environment & Expectations:

• Hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two (2) in-office days per week, with remaining days eligible for remote work based on business needs and event/campaign timelines. 
• Primary work location is an office environment during standard business hours, with schedule flexibility needed during peak advocacy periods or in preparation for major conferences and meetings. 
• Regular interaction with senior leadership, Board members, outside counsel, industry partners, federal and state agencies, and member companies is expected. 
• The role requires the ability to manage confidential and sensitive legal matters with discretion and sound judgment. 
• Frequent collaboration across departments—including advocacy, workforce, safety, environmental, and communications teams—is essential to ensure coordinated responses to judicial and regulatory developments. 
• Periodic travel is required for conferences, committee meetings, Board meetings, and industry events. 
• The position requires the ability to work under tight deadlines, particularly when responding to regulatory comment periods, litigation timelines, or urgent industry matters. 
• A commitment to member service, proactive communication, and continuous monitoring of legal and regulatory developments impacting the construction industry is essential to success in this role.