General Counsel/Director of Operations
3 days ago
Pittsburgh
Job description: The General Counsel / Director of Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for providing legal leadership and operational oversight across the Mongiovi & Son family of companies. The position serves as a strategic advisor to ownership and executive leadership on legal, compliance, risk-management, labor, and operational matters affecting multiple affiliated entities engaged in plumbing construction and service, fire protection design, installation and service, excavation, alarm services, and alarm monitoring. This role combines executive-level legal counsel with cross-functional operational leadership to support safe, compliant, efficient, and profitable operations. The position is expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, and balance legal risk with practical business needs. It is a true executive leadership role with authority to direct managers, supervise designated personnel, and propose and implement policy and procedural changes across the affiliated entities, subject to ownership oversight. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Legal Leadership and Counsel · Serve as the company’s chief legal advisor and trusted counsel to ownership and executive leadership on legal, regulatory, compliance, labor, employment, risk-management, and strategic business matters. · Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice in support of company operations, growth initiatives, dispute avoidance, and risk mitigation. · Oversee and manage legal matters affecting the affiliated entities, including contract negotiation, claims and disputes, employment matters, litigation management, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. · Direct and manage outside counsel and other external legal professionals, including oversight of legal strategy, budgets, and performance. · Represent the companies in legal proceedings when reasonably necessary or appropriate under the circumstances, including prosecution of civil claims. · Develop, implement, and maintain internal legal, compliance, and governance policies, procedures, and standards. · Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting the company’s business lines and advise leadership regarding legal risks, compliance obligations, and operational impact. Contracts, Construction, and Project Risk · Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of agreements, including customer contracts, subcontracts, vendor agreements, service agreements, confidentiality agreements, leases, and other commercial documents. · Support project teams and executive leadership with contract interpretation, risk assessment, claims strategy, change-order issues, dispute documentation, and preservation of contractual rights. · Prepare, review, file, and track lien waivers, lien releases, mechanics’ lien documentation, claim notices, and other project-related legal and compliance documentation. · Assist in organizing and maintaining contract files, project legal records, and documentation related to disputes, claims, arbitration, or litigation. · Advise leadership regarding contractual exposures, insurance implications, indemnity obligations, and project-specific legal risks. Compliance, Licensing, and Regulatory Oversight · Oversee compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and company policies across the affiliated entities. · Oversee business licenses, contractor registrations, qualifications, renewals, prequalification packages, and related compliance filings. · Maintain or oversee legal, compliance, and regulatory records and support internal accountability for required filings and renewals. Safety, Risk Management, and Insurance · Oversee safety, risk-management, and insurance-related functions across the affiliated entities. · Manage or coordinate OSHA-related compliance matters, workplace incidents, internal investigations, workers’ compensation issues, claims, insurance procurement, and related risk-control initiatives. · Coordinate with leadership, insurance professionals, and outside advisors on coverage issues, incident response, loss prevention, certificate-of-insurance compliance, vendor risk documentation, and related risk-transfer practices. Labor, Employment, and Workforce Support · Advise management on labor and employment matters, including employee relations, discipline, workplace investigations, policy implementation, and coordination with HR and outside advisors. · Assist with managing labor relations and union-related matters, including grievances, dispute resolution, audits, benefit issues, compliance matters, and related documentation. · Help management address workforce risks and maintain consistent employment practices. Operational Leadership and Administration · Support ownership and executive leadership in overseeing and improving operational, administrative, and management functions across the affiliated entities. · Provide guidance to managers and supervisors to promote accountability, consistency, sound decision-making, and alignment with company objectives. · Oversee or coordinate key administrative and operational support functions, including contract administration, compliance documentation, and related business processes. · Assist with oversight of fleet, equipment, tools, and other company assets, customer service issues, and initiatives to improve responsiveness, performance, and retention. · Identify and help implement improvements in systems, technology, workflow, reporting, communication, and internal processes. · Support business continuity planning, emergency preparedness, special projects, executive initiatives, operational due diligence, and related strategic efforts. Strategic and Financial Coordination · Work closely with ownership, executive leadership, and the Controller on operational planning, risk evaluation, financial coordination, and long-term business strategy. · Assist in evaluating operational performance, key business risks, organizational needs, and opportunities for growth or improvement. · Help align operational and legal decision-making with profitability goals, financial discipline, and long-term business objectives. Reporting Relationships The General Counsel / Director of Operations reports to ownership and/or designated executive leadership and works closely with leadership across the Mongiovi & Son family of companies, including the Controller, managers, supervisors, HR personnel, operational leaders, outside counsel, insurance professionals, and other internal and external stakeholders. Qualifications · Must have admission to the Pennsylvania Bar. · Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. · Active license to practice law, in good standing. · Significant legal experience (at least 10 years), preferably including a combination of law firm and in-house or business-side experience. · Strong background in contract drafting and negotiation, risk management, compliance, employment or labor matters, and dispute management. · Experience in construction, specialty contracting, infrastructure, industrial services, or a related industry strongly preferred. · Demonstrated ability to work effectively with ownership and senior leadership on strategic and operational matters. · Strong business judgment and the ability to provide practical advice that balances legal risk with operational realities and business objectives. · Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills. · Ability to manage multiple matters and priorities across several affiliated entities and business lines. · High level of professionalism, discretion, initiative, and confidentiality. Preferred Characteristics · Familiarity with construction law, construction contracts, public and private project documentation, claims preservation and litigation, insurance and indemnity issues, and lien law. · Experience advising family-owned or closely held businesses. · Experience supporting multi-entity operations with a mix of field, service, and administrative functions. · Ability to operate effectively in a hands-on environment requiring both strategic leadership and practical execution.