Junior Contracts Manager

Rycon Construction is an employee-owned company (ESOP) that provides construction management, general contracting, design-build, and program management services nationwide. An ENR Top 400 Contractor, ENR Top 100 Green Contractor, and BD+C Top 150 Contractor with nine offices, Rycon specializes in new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects. From large-scale developments to small, fast-track interior fit-outs, Rycon is equipped to deliver a comprehensive range of services across all project types. Rycon’s portfolio includes projects in aviation, healthcare, higher education, industrial/warehouse, commercial, multi-unit residential, student housing, food service/dining, data centers/mission critical, retail, financial, self-storage, government/municipality, and LEED facilities. We have an in-house Architectural Finishes & Specialty Fabrication Division that ships/installs nationally.     

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager at our Texas office. 

The Contracts Manager is responsible for overseeing contract formation for the organization’s Texas division. This role supports executive, legal, and project operations by drafting, reviewing, administering, and maintaining contracts with owners, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, and strategic partners. The Contracts Manager will report to legal and work hand-in-hand with executives of the Texas division on a daily basis.

The Contracts Manager serves as a key business partner to executives, operations, project management, estimating, and legal teams to ensure contractual compliance with organization policies, mitigate risk, protect company interests, and support successful project execution across a diverse portfolio of commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, multifamily, hospitality, retail, and technology projects.

The ideal candidate will possess strong construction industry knowledge, contract negotiation skills, and experience managing complex contracts in a fast-paced environment.

What you will do:

• Assist executives, legal counsel, and operations teams in drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and administering a wide variety of construction-related agreements, including prime contracts, design-build agreements, CMAR contracts, GMP contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, professional services agreements, and vendor/supplier agreements.
• Utilize AIA software to compile and manage prime contracts, ensuring all exhibits, schedules, attachments, and supporting documents are properly included and maintained.
• Assist with the preparation of GMP amendments, contract modifications, and other post-execution contract documentation.
• Review and negotiate professional services agreements with consultants in accordance with company standards and legal guidance.
• Support legal counsel in the review and negotiation of subcontract agreements, including drafting contract addenda and coordinating final execution.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of the company's contract document suites and assist in preparing and negotiating design-build agreements.
• Analyze contract terms and conditions to identify legal, commercial, financial, operational, insurance, and schedule-related risks.
• Collaborate with project teams, executives, and legal counsel to develop negotiation strategies and risk mitigation solutions.
• Ensure contract language aligns with company policies, risk tolerance, and project objectives.
• Serve as a liaison between executives, legal counsel, project teams, and third parties during contract review and negotiation processes.
• Manage contract workflows and follow up with stakeholders to ensure timely completion of contract reviews, negotiations, and approvals.
• Provide guidance on the appropriate use of contract templates and contract document packages based on project and deal specifics.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings to communicate key contractual obligations, project requirements, and potential risks.
• Prepare contract abstracts and summaries for operations teams on large or high-risk projects.
• Assist project teams and legal counsel with contract compliance, change management, claims procedures, notices, correspondence, and dispute avoidance strategies.
• Act as a quality control resource during contract formation and ensure adherence to company contracting procedures and standards.
• Assist in developing and implementing standardized contract administration processes across the organization.
• Train operational personnel on company contract procedures, document suites, and contract management best practices.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on contract administration efficiency, process optimization, and risk reduction.

What you will need to be successful:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Construction Management, Legal Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in contract management, contract administration, construction law support, procurement, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, contract structures, contract terminology, and legal principles.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, redlining, and negotiating contracts and commercial agreements.
• Ability to identify, evaluate, and communicate contractual, financial, legal, and operational risks.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and document management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ownership mentality with the ability to independently manage complex processes from start to finish.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with executives, project teams, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, and legal counsel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Comfortable learning new processes and completing unfamiliar tasks with limited direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting an in-house legal department.
• Familiarity with AIA, ConsensusDocs, or other standard construction contract forms.
• Experience working with subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and material suppliers.
• Prior experience within the construction, engineering, EPC, or real estate development industries.
• Professional certifications such as:
  • Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)
  • Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
  • Paralegal Certification

Work Environment

• Office-based position within a corporate construction environment.
• Full-time, in-office role.
• Occasional extended hours may be required to meet project and contract deadlines.

At Rycon Construction, Inc. we believe outstanding employees build the foundation necessary for excellence in business. It is with this belief that we are always looking for the best qualified and most talented employees to become part of our team. Rycon offers advancement opportunities along with an excellent salary and benefits package that includes, medical, dental, vision, ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) and 401(k). Qualified candidates will be required to submit to a background screening upon acceptance of an offer.   

Rycon Construction Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Attention: All third-party agencies, headhunters and recruiters 

Rycon Construction is not accepting candidate submission by unsolicited third parties to any company email address. All unsolicited candidates will be rejected, and Rycon Construction will not be responsible for any fees associated with unsolicited candidates, nor will a contractual relationship be formed by the submission. Rycon Construction will not be obligated and will not under any circumstances pay any fees to said third party candidates in an unsolicited manner. 

Rycon Construction only forms contracts with recruiters with whom we have an established business relationship and with whom we have a signed agreement in place. All contact with Rycon Construction from third parties must be through our Human Resources department. Outside recruiters are not to contact hiring managers directly. Any contact made outside of Rycon’s Human Resources department by a third party will cancel any future business relationship between the third party and Rycon Construction.