Federal Government Counsel

Aecon•Oswego, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Aecon delivers some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure projects — from transformative transportation networks to critical energy, industrial and nuclear programs. The projects we build connect communities and power future generations. With deep roots in North America and a strong footprint internationally, Aecon brings global expertise and proudly serves public and private sector clients through its Construction and Concessions segment. Safety Always is not only our #1 core value – it is the standard that anchors our culture. We believe the most ambitious projects deserve the most committed people. At Aecon, you won’t just build your career — you’ll help build what matters to enable future generations to thrive. At Aecon we: Ensure you and your family receive the services needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Are intentional when it comes to investing in your development. We help you build your career and advance your skills through our Aecon University, tuition reimbursement, and Leadership Programs. Are committed to creating work environments focused on mutual respect, teamwork, collaboration, and new ideas, through meaningful initiatives and training, partnerships with Veteran groups, to ensure we are building with top talent and harnessing our collective strengths within every aspect of our culture. Operate responsibly by managing risk, safety, and environmental considerations across all our projects and surrounding communities. Our success is built on the passion, expertise, and dedication of our people. Together, we embrace strong execution, innovation, and continuous improvement — values that come to life through the unique talents and collaborative spirit of every team member. If you’re inspired to make a difference through future-building projects, join our best-in-class team. Reporting to the General Counsel, Public Company & Corporate Secretary, you will work within the Federal Government Business Unit to define, develop, and implement risk programs and drive improvements. You will support all Aecon business sectors (Nuclear, Industrial, Utilities, Civil and Urban Transport Solutions) pursuing business with the United States Government at the prime and sub-prime levels, including but not limited to Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of War’s (DoW) subordinate agencies, commands, and sub-prime contractors.

Requirements

J.D. Degree from accredited law school; member in good standing of a bar of the U.S.
Minimum of 5-7 years of government contracts experience in the federal government, a large law firm, and/or in-house experience at a construction or defense contractor
Must be able to clearly and effectively communicate with all levels of management and Government agency personnel, including Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), DoE, and DoW
Experience working U.S. Government or Defense contracts administration under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and/or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and/ or other related government regulations, as well as those requirements unique to contracting with the U.S. Government and regulatory compliance
Experience in proposal development, negotiations, contract performance and dispute resolution in connection with Government contracts within the construction industry
Experience in business development, contracting and regulatory compliance matters, including ITAR, EAR, FCPA, CFR, cybersecurity, mandatory disclosures, suspension and debarment, and prime-sub negotiations and disputes
Experience with monitoring government contract obligations, flow-down clauses, reporting requirements and performance milestones
Experience working Sole Source Proposals, subject to the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act (commonly known as the TINA).
Must possess sound judgment, an ability to prioritize, and be capable of working successfully in a dynamic team environment
Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and critical thinking acumen
Professionalism and excellent judgment concerning confidential matters
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, documentation skills, high attention to detail and ability to generate high quality deliverables
Strong interpersonal skills to build and manage key relationships with various internal and external stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Willingness to travel within the United States
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract

Responsibilities

Monitor relevant laws and regulations to support contract acquisition and compliant execution by providing guidance and counsel to business leaders related to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations (DEAR) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and emerging changes across the federal government contracting lifecycle
Conduct legal research on government contracting issues and prepare summaries and recommendations
Collaborate with the company’s compliance team to create and implement ethical compliance policies and procedures in the U.S.
Liaise with and escalate matters to outside counsel as needed
Manage outside counsel effectively, including defining clear scopes and setting timelines, the capacity to negotiate rates and ongoing tracking of firm performance against expectations
Prepare reports for stakeholders and senior leadership