We are currently seeking resumes from qualified, responsible, self-sufficient, energetic Associate VP, Corporate Counsel - Contracts & Commercial (US) for our Phoenix, Arizona office. The ideal candidate will be motivated to develop and build their personal knowledge and skills to assist with the growth and success of the office. We offer a friendly, professional atmosphere with excellent benefits and a salary commensurate with experience.

Job Description:

This will be a hybrid position based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, as the primary and permanent place of employment, with regional/global support to TYPSA Group, TYPSA US, TYPSA Canada, and TYPSA Australia that will occasionally require availability during Australian business hours. Establishing a reliable, consistent, and available resource based in the US is important to fulfill the purpose of the position, particularly in support of the growing commercial and contract risk TYPSA US is facing.

This position serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on commercial and contractual risk across complex consulting engineering, architecture, and environmental projects. As Corporate Counsel - Contracts & Commercial, the role is primarily responsible for reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and advising on commercial contracts and related risk, with a growth path toward broader in-house counsel responsibilities over time (General Counsel track) as business needs evolve.

The core role provides expert advice on contract strategy, commercial exposure, and risk mitigation across the full project lifecycle. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that decisions are well-informed, commercially sound, and aligned with the Company's risk appetite. The role is designed to enable the business while safeguarding TYPSA's interests, supporting successful project delivery and sustainable growth. Over time, and based on performance and organizational needs, the role may broaden to include legal issue-spotting and coordination of legal support across other corporate functions (eg, HR/employment matters, insurance/risk, real estate, and tax-related legal coordination), while continuing to prioritize commercial contracting support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executive Advisory & Risk Insight

• Provide independent, expert advice to the CEO and Executive Team on material commercial and contractual risks, and similar support to the wider Contracts Management Team operations, where appropriate.
• Review and advise on non-standard contract terms, commercial positions, and, where appropriate, propose deviations to safeguard the organization. Extensive role in design-build and alternative delivery contract negotiations.
• Support executive decision-making by clearly articulating risk, opportunity, and mitigation options.
• Act as a trusted challenger on projects and commercial strategies where risk exposure is elevated.

• Commercial & Contract Strategy

• Advise project teams on commercial and contractual strategy for major and high-risk opportunities.
• Work with marketing to address contractual risk during the proposal stage.
• Participate in contract negotiations, supporting executive and project leadership as a senior commercial advisor and negotiator.
• Perform hands-on contract review and provide advice to project managers, with strong legal awareness to assess contract terms, risks, and obligations.
• Serve as a mandatory advisory review point for major bids and complex projects.
• Contribute to the development of commercial frameworks, templates, and guidance.
• Participate with leadership in developing appropriate insurance strategies to manage risk.

• Contract Management

• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer client, consultant, subcontractor, vendor, and supplier agreements.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and risk tolerance standards.
• Maintain contract templates and standard contract language and ensure compliance with laws.
• Negotiate contract terms within established company risk parameters.
• In collaboration with external counsel as needed, help maintain processes to support compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements impacting contracting.

• Project Delivery & Issue Resolution

• Support Project Managers in managing commercial and contractual challenges during project execution.
• Step in to advise or support distressed or high-risk projects as requested by Executive leadership.
• Monitor emerging commercial risks and escalating issues to Executive leadership as appropriate.
• Provide guidance on scope control, variations, and commercial compliance.

• Claims, Variations & Dispute Avoidance

• Advice on the preparation and strategy for claims, variations, and commercial negotiations. Perform hands-on, detailed analysis of major claims (as assigned) and prepare materials to defend/settle.
• Participate in and/or lead negotiations with clients to resolve issues and avoid formal disputes where possible.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel when required, ensuring alignment between legal advice and commercial strategy.
• Support dispute resolution and contract close-out activities in the region and elsewhere if / as appropriate.

• Capability Building & Governance

• Coach and train Project Managers on commercial risk awareness and best practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of commercial governance and risk management processes.
• Support knowledge sharing and lessons learned across the organization.
• Assist in shaping the future development of a Commercial / Contracts capability.

• Key Relationships

• CEO / Managing Director / General Director
• COO and Executive Leadership Team
• Contracts Management - International Team
• Project Managers and Bid Leaders
• Legal Counsel (external)
• Finance, Insurance and Operations
• Client commercial representatives
• Human Resources, Real Estate/Facilities, and Tax/Finance stakeholders (as role scope expands).

• Decision Authority

• Advisory role with respect to commercial and contractual risk decisions.
• Provides recommendations and risk assessments; final authority rests with Executive leadership.
• Authorized to escalate concerns and request executive review where commercial risk is material.

• Global Lesson Learning and Feedback Loop

• Pro-actively support the ongoing global initiatives for lesson learning and training, including observations about the objectives and opportunities for these.
• Maintain ongoing dialogue with the contracts management team, including attendance to regular catch-up huddles.
• Contribute with workload itemization and planning of inputs - to facilitate metrics /management of contracts management issues.
• Assist in the development of AI tools to streamline contractual risk management.

Job Qualifications (Education, Experience, and Skills):

• Minimum Education: Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Licensure/Bar: Admission to practice law in Arizona is preferred (active member in good standing). Candidates admitted in another US jurisdiction with eligibility and intent to seek Arizona admission may be considered.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience. Five (5) years of experience are preferred.
• Strong understanding of contract risk, commercial negotiation, and project delivery dynamics.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Demonstrated legal training and experience with commercial contracting and project delivery risk in an engineering/architectural/environmental consulting environment (or similar complex project setting).
• Ability to independently draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements and to identify when escalation to external counsel is appropriate.
• Working knowledge of, or demonstrable ability and readiness to rapidly develop expertise in, professional liability insurance (PLI), Standard of Care, Fitness for Purpose / warranty-of-result exposure, and fixed-price/FFP risk structures and other headline risk areas - including back-to-back and flow-down arrangements across the AE professional services supply chain. Depth (or a clear path to it) in this area is a priority signal.
• Self-starting, team player comfortable working at all levels with all levels of awareness.
• Trusted, independent, and commercially astute.
• Confident communicator with executive presence.
• Balanced, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented.
• Able to challenge constructively while enabling the business.
• High professional judgment and integrity.
• Comfort operating as an in-house legal resource-in-training on a path toward broader General Counsel responsibilities.
• Valid Driver's License, with the ability to maintain insurability under the company's insurance carrier.

Competencies (To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies):

• Communicative - interacts openly with others; can maintain relationships, works well independently or with a team.
• Consultative - Consults with other disciplines as needed; tolerates different perspectives or opinions.
• Decisive & Action Oriented - Has a high level of energy and stamina; gets things done; makes sound educated but rapid decisions even when short of information; enjoys managing challenging projects and works well in fast-paced and pressure environments. Self-motivated and proactive.
• Flexible - Adapts to new challenges and circumstances; able to multi-task; thrives on variety and frequently changing environments; creative problem solver. Resourcefulness, with minimal direction.
• Analytical - Uses sound data, and procedures, and follows all laws, rules, and regulations but is a solutionist or problem-solver.
• Conscientious and Organized - Believes professional integrity is paramount; understands the importance of project records; responsive to clients and deadline oriented; quality oriented.

Working Conditions and Environment:

This position will require general supervision and will have to use independent judgment within established guidelines. Generally, uses the advanced knowledge to analyze, interpret, or make deductions from varying facts or circumstances. Will need the ability to establish rapport quickly with others working on the same project, and be able to promote a positive team environment. Working knowledge of dealing with a diverse population while using tact, diplomacy, and respect.