Risk & Contracts Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Risk & Contracts Specialist supports Dennis Group’s complex and fast-paced design-build food and beverage manufacturing plant projects by managing contractual risk and ensuring insurance compliance across all client, vendor, and subcontractor transactions. This role is responsible for reviewing project-related contracts and insurance requirements, advising project teams on risk exposure, and coordinating with brokers and insurers. The Risk & Contracts Specialist will be a member of a small, team-oriented legal department.

The ideal candidate has experience in the A/E/C industry , understands design and construction project‑based risk , and is comfortable working at the intersection of contracts, insurance, and business and finance operations .

Key Responsibilities

Insurance

• Review contractual insurance requirements for compliance (professional liability, commercial general liability, workers’ compensation, auto liability, Umbrella/excess).

• Partner with General Counsel to manage Dennis Group’s overall insurance program and maintain accurate records and renewal tracking for all insurance policies.

• Assist General Counsel with claims reporting, documentation, and coordination with insurers when required.
• Collect, review, and track Certificates of Insurance (COIs) for clients, subcontractors, subconsultants, and vendors to ensure they meet contractual requirements and resolve any non-compliance issues.
• Serve as point person for Dennis Group’s Master Builder’s Risk policy and work with broker to obtain additional Builder’s Risk insurance coverage on a project-by-project basis.
• Serve as point person for participation in Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIPs) or other owner-driven insurance programs.
• Complete annual insurance renewal applications and review carriers’ proposals with brokers.
• Support annual audit requests from commercial general liability, auto and workers compensation carriers.

Contract Review

• Review engineering, procurement and construction contracts to identify language representing commercial and insurance‑related risk and recommend revisions.
• Ensure contracts align with internal policies and procedures and company objectives.
• Partner with legal counsel and insurance brokers to resolve risk and coverage gaps in project contracts.
• Negotiate contracts with owners, subcontractors and vendors.

Project & Stakeholder Support

• Serve as a resource for Project Managers regarding insurance and contractual obligations.
• Contribute to development of training and reference materials regarding contracts, insurance and related risk management topics.
• Support Project Managers, General Counsel and Risk Committee with contractual risk assessments during proposal, pre‑award, and project execution phases.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field.
• 10-15 years of experience in contract review, risk management, and/or insurance compliance in the A/E/C industry or other technical consulting environments.
• Experience collaborating with project operations, insurance brokers, insurers, and legal teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Design-Build and/or EPC/EPCM project delivery methods.
• Experience with industry‑standard contracts (e.g., AIA, DBIA, ConsensusDocs, EJCDC, FIDIC).
• Working knowledge of professional liability insurance coverage for engineers and architects.
• Familiarity with delivering construction-related professional services internationally.
• Experience with Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI) and related pre-qualification programs and claims handling.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Proven excellence at interpreting contract language and contractual risk.
• Strong understanding of different insurance coverages and able to navigate insurance policies easily.
• Collaborative, solutions‑focused mindset.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to support multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
• High attention to detail and document accuracy.
• Strong organizational and tracking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract or insurance management systems.
• Willingness and ability to embrace emerging technologies and tools (e.g., AI).