Counsel - Procurement & Project Execution

Tallgrass•Lakewood, CO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Tallgrass is seeking an attorney to provide legal support for traditional midstream operations and energy transition ventures. The role focuses on services, procurement and construction contracting, project support, enforcement and recovery of procurement-related costs, insurance and risk management, contract lifecycle process improvement, and special projects. The attorney will partner with Procurement, Project Management, Operations, Commercial, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to develop, negotiate, administer, interpret, enforce, and close out procurement and project-related agreements. The position advises on contract compliance, change orders, claims documentation, preservation of legal rights, cost recovery, dispute avoidance and resolution, and trains business personnel on contracting processes and risk issues. It also supports responsible use of contract management and AI-enabled tools, including DocJuris or similar platforms, to improve consistency, efficiency, and risk visibility. The role may involve managing outside counsel, developing contracting playbooks and training, and working non-traditional hours as needed. It is based in Tallgrass’s Leawood, Kansas or Houston, Texas offices, with occasional overnight travel possible.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited institution.
At least five years of experience in-house or with a law firm supporting corporate and business operations.
Significant experience in construction, procurement, and project support.
Experience reviewing, negotiating, drafting, interpreting, and enforcing procurement and construction contracts.
Experience advising on contract administration, contractor claims, change orders, invoice disputes, cost recovery, and preservation of contractual remedies.
Working understanding of risk management and commercial insurance programs.
Familiarity with federal and, as applicable, state laws and regulations governing the energy field.
Experience partnering with business stakeholders to develop practical contracting processes, templates, and training.
Experience using contract lifecycle management systems, redlining tools, and online legal research tools, including Practical Law, Westlaw, and Lexis.
Intermediate proficiency in MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the Company and its insurers, if travel is required.
Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes, including the ability to identify legal, regulatory, commercial, and compliance issues.
Sound judgment balancing legal risk, business needs, project execution realities, and commercial objectives.
Ability to organize and prioritize work, maintain confidentiality, work independently and collaboratively, take direction, follow work schedules and rules, and take responsibility for work product.
Ability to perform multiple tasks under strict deadlines and focus attention on detail.
Ability to recognize how internal processes, documentation practices, and the Company’s risk profile affect procurement contracting and project outcomes.
Ability to identify contract administration gaps affecting cost control, claim preservation, contractor accountability, and dispute posture.
Ability to explain legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers and provide practical, business-oriented training.
Ability to use contract review platforms, workflow systems, and AI-assisted tools efficiently while applying legal judgment and verifying accuracy and policy compliance.
Ability to work non-traditional hours as needed and be available by cell phone during working and non-working hours, as needed.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Must clear a drug screen and complete a background check, including a credit report for certain positions, after an offer and before employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with DocJuris or similar contract review, workflow, or AI-assisted legal technology tools; ability to learn and use such tools effectively is strongly desired.
Seven or more years of experience supporting corporate and business operations.
Experience with IT contracts and drafting statements of work that protect the Company’s interests.
Previous in-house experience with an interstate gas pipeline company.
Previous experience in energy, pipeline, construction, infrastructure, or another highly regulated business environment.
Experience supporting major capital projects, contractor claims, lien issues, schedule disputes, cost recovery efforts, and project closeout.
Strong ability to translate recurring legal issues into scalable processes, training, and operational improvements.

Responsibilities

Negotiate or assist stakeholders with selection, preparation, review, and negotiation of goods, facilities, services, equipment purchases, leases, construction contracts, statements of work, work orders, amendments, change orders, and other vendor agreements.
Assist with preparing bid documents, requests for proposals, scopes of work, pricing frameworks, contractor qualification materials, and contract exhibits for construction, operations, maintenance, and IT engagements.
Provide legal support throughout project lifecycles, including kickoff, procurement strategy, template management, contractor engagement, contract administration, performance issues, change management, claims documentation, and closeout.
Advise on interpretation, enforcement, and administration of procurement and project contracts to protect the Company’s contractual rights and commercial position.
Review pricing structures, reimbursement provisions, rate schedules, allowances, unit pricing, payment terms, retainage, and invoicing requirements to support procurement cost enforcement.
Identify contract noncompliance, unsupported charges, scope creep, unauthorized work, and deviations from agreed commercial terms.
Advise stakeholders on documentation needed to challenge, withhold, negotiate, recover, or resolve disputed contractor and vendor charges.
Develop legal and factual positions concerning backcharges, offsets, invoice rejections, cost disallowances, liquidated damages, warranty enforcement, and other contractual remedies.
Partner with business teams to improve cost validation, approval authority, change order discipline, and claim preservation controls.
Enforce and improve contract governance processes and playbooks for procurement contracting, project support, and cost enforcement.
Advise internal stakeholders on key contractual provisions and provide legal counsel to support compliance, protect legal rights, and maintain lawful operations.
Assist in defending the corporation against suits or claims and prosecuting claims against others, including vendor, contractor, procurement, project delay, deficient performance, and cost recovery claims.
Prepare reports, presentations, summaries, risk assessments, and briefing materials for legal leadership on procurement, project support, contract compliance, cost enforcement, and related disputes.
Collaborate with Legal Department attorneys and internal departments, including Procurement, Engineering, Project Management, Operations, Commercial, Finance, Internal Audit, IT, and HSE.
Attend and participate in staff, project, contractor, claim strategy, and outside counsel or counterparty meetings.
Manage and direct outside counsel related to vendor and project disputes, lien issues, construction claims, and procurement-related litigation or arbitration, as needed.
Develop, update, and deliver practical legal training for non-lawyer personnel.
Coach contract owners and business stakeholders on issue spotting, documentation, and adherence to contracting processes.
Support and continuously improve contract review and workflow technologies, including DocJuris and other AI-enabled or automated legal tools, consistent with Company policy and Legal Department guidance.
Create and maintain clause libraries, negotiation guidance, approval matrices, intake procedures, and standard operating procedures.
Communicate and work with people tactfully and professionally; maintain dependable attendance and high performance.
Maintain regard for personal safety, Company assets and employees, and the public; perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

Industry-competitive pay.
Health insurance package options, including Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.
Infertility coverage.
Parental leave.
401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately and an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%.
Wellness programs and mental health resources.
Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
Critical illness and accident insurance.
Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, and paid volunteer and bereavement time off.
Identity theft protection.
Annual discretionary bonus.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Company-paid holidays and floating holidays.
Company vehicle, if applicable.
Employee discounts, including vehicles, tires, and cellular plans.
Networking and employee engagement events.
Personal development opportunities.