Corporate Secretary jobs in Portland, ME

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science, and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. As an employee-owned company, we strive to cultivate diverse teams and encourage collaboration in an equitable and inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership, and flexibility. That’s how we make a difference to our clients, people, and the planet.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for this person to provide legal support and counsel in support of the organization’s long-term objectives and goals, including supporting contracting processes and procedures; supporting the development of legal training programs; handling and disposition of various legal matters; and other responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel. Participate as a team member of the Legal Department and a member in good standing to a State Bar. This role will be based out of a larger Woodard & Curran office location, which include, but are not limited to, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, and New York, or remote work is also possible for the right candidate. 

• Support the Company’s contracting practices and processes, adhering to quality and accuracy standards and a focus on internal client satisfaction.
• Implement litigation strategy, and support litigation and claim management, and insurance matters in order to minimize company exposure in the most cost-effective manner.
• Develop legal training, including guidelines and procedures in support of business unit and its projects in order to minimize risk exposure.
• Provides guidance and support on legal issues, including writing, reviewing, and advising on legal matters.
• Supports the firm’s contracting processes, including working collaboratively with the Contract Lifecycle Management platform in support of the contract review process, with a focus on supporting operations and management, design/build and the Water Business, and participates in the development of Legal policies, procedures and programs.
• Supports the Operations and Management (O&M) organization with contracting, business unit program standards and protocols.
• Supports the development and negotiation of alternative delivery contracts including construction management and design build contracting. Supports the design/build practice and corporate licensing with respect to the practice of design/build and other business services.
• Serves as counsel to, and a resource for Plant Managers, Operations Leaders, Business Development Leaders, and Senior Area Managers, with respect to O&M contracting and other legal matters.
• Handles O&M legal disputes and potential insurance claims, working to resolve contractual disputes, and coordinating the use of outside legal counsel. Provides continuing counsel and guidance on O&M legal matters, including overseeing litigation hold procedures, support in discovery through final resolution in coordination with outside counsel and responses to third party subpoenas. Prepares O&M litigation disclosures.
• Provides support to the Corporate Human Resources, IS and Health & Safety Programs with respect to counsel, advice and legal issues that may arise. Advises and assists with Company-wide policies and procedures.
• Keeps informed of new laws, regulations and industry trends.
• Capable of handling various legal matters with minimal supervision demonstrating independence and judgment.
• In consultation with General Counsel provides  guidance to members of the O&M and Design/Build organization for business, commercial, contractual and legal matters. 
• Serves as in-house corporate counsel to lead and manage litigation matters as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• 4 years’ experience as a practicing attorney with a law firm or in-house. Previous experience in a professional services firm desirable.
• Must be well-organized and possess strong planning and analytical skills, with extremely high attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate and function well in a team environment.
• Strong negotiation and conflict-based resolution skills.
• Ability to manage various independent tasks, while contributing to Legal team obligations and internal client demands.
• Understanding of contractual and industry liability trends, developments and issues.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to escalate legal issues when needed.
• Strategic and creative approach to problem solving.
• Strong research skills.

Benefits & Wellbeing

Retirement Savings:

• 401(k) Pre-tax or Roth Contributions: Company will match equal to 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed, All employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan and are 100% vested in the value of own contributions and any employer matching contributions.

Time away from work:

• Vacation time is provided to full and part-time regular employees. Vacation is accrued, based on number of hours worked per week as well as prior years of experience.

• Woodard & Curran offers paid sick time to eligible employees who are absent due to their own non-work related, illness, injury, or medical procedure.

• Woodard & Curran provides up to 80 hours of Paid Parental Leave for child bonding in a 12-month period.

• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance from Sun Life to assist with replacing a portion of your income in the event of non-job-related illness or injury. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled and eligible immediately.

Coverage and support for your needs and wellbeing:

Personal and Family health: Company offers three medical plan options based on geography; plus HSA and PSA plans are available based on eligibility, additional options include dental and vision plans.

Company provides basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance for employee and family are available through Sun Life.

WayForward powered by Dario: EAP Program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing coaching.

LiveWell wellbeing program: credit incentive is available, up to $600 annually – nutrition and fitness reimbursement, and access to the Virgin Pulse wellness platform.

Education: Tuition assistance offers eligible employees up to 100% reimbursement of tuition, books and fees up to $5250 per year, for courses related to the employee’s job or planned career development.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Woodard & Curran is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans are encouraged to apply. We are committed to ensuring our employment practices are non-discriminatory and based solely on job-related factors. To read our entire Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement, click here. To view the Workplace Discrimination Is Illegal poster and supplement, click here.

If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to apply, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We value diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Woodard & Curran believes that complex teams working together in an equitable, inclusive space provides the best opportunity for achieving our vision of clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people.  Our success is tied to a culture that embraces our differences so that everyone can bring their whole, authentic selves to work. When our people are supported to reach their full potential, we provide the most innovative, sound, and effective solutions.