Senior Contracts Manager - Design-Build Projects

As a Senior Contracts Manager, you'll be a trusted advisor to project teams, helping them navigate complex agreements and make informed business decisions. You'll use your communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills to review contracts, guide negotiations, and identify risks, contributing to the successful delivery of design‑build and related projects in the water and wastewater industry.

• Advise project teams involved in design‑build and related projects, either in a contractor role, designer role, or both, as to appropriate contractual terms in a variety of settings.
• Review RFPs and the associated contracts, provide contract risk assessments including proposed contract changes and exceptions, and suggest risk mitigation measures.
• Be responsible to draft and review a variety of agreements, including NDAs, teaming agreements, joint ventures, prime contracts, and subcontracts.
• Maintain close working relationships with applicable leadership team, sales and delivery managers, other members of the legal department, as well as other internal core services groups necessary to achieve comprehensive review and risk assessment (cybersecurity, tax, insurance, etc.).
• Serve as one of the organization's contacts to address questions related to existing contracts and contract processes.
• Prioritize between multiple projects on a time‑sensitive basis.

• A minimum of 8 years working as a contracts manager or similar role.
• Substantial knowledge and experience with design‑build projects and standard contract forms (such as DBIA and EJCDC), preferably in the water and wastewater industry.
• Experience building strong relationships with project teams and influencing decisions.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of related experience.
• Senior level experience negotiating contracts with a pragmatic, flexible negotiation style based on sound business acumen.
• Public‑Private Partnership (PPP/P3) and/or Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of legal concepts (e.g., standard of care, liability, insurance, indemnification, acceptance, warranties, intellectual property rights, etc.) and state and local contracting practices.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, and other contract management technology.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Exceptional business ethics, influence, and leadership skills.

Location A: $106,000 - $145,000

Location B: $117,000 - $160,000

Location C: $128,000 - $174,000

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success, including medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance‐based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, and long‑term care insurance. Click here to see our full list of benefits.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full‑service environmental engineering and construction firm with 50 offices and 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For 75 years, we have created leading‑edge environmental solutions for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies. We strive to be the company of choice for our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and for our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation.

Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities. For more information, visit

This position is subject to a pre‑employment background check and a pre‑employment drug test.

Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Brown and Caldwell encourages protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.