Director of Risk Management

About Parametrix

Parametrix is a 100% employee-owned consulting firm helping clients deliver resilient infrastructure, vibrant and livable communities, and environmentally sustainable solutions. We are a team of professional construction managers, engineers, management consultants, planners, scientists, and surveyors dedicated to delivering outstanding client service. We build lasting partnerships and collaborate with our clients to envision possibilities and create tomorrow, together. Recognized as a top workplace, we're committed to a culture that values work-life balance, professional growth, and the well-being of our people.

About the role

Parametrix is seeking an experienced Director of Risk Management to lead our firm's contract review and contractual risk management efforts. This is a key leadership position that works closely with executive leadership, project managers, and technical professionals to evaluate contractual obligations, manage legal and professional liability risks, and support responsible business decisions across our organization. We are looking for an experienced attorney with extensive knowledge of the architecture and engineering (A&E) consulting industry, particularly professional services agreements, engineering contracts, and the unique contractual and insurance risks associated with infrastructure projects. Our ideal candidate combines strong legal expertise with a practical understanding of how engineering consulting firms operate. Experience with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), other state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), and public agencies is particularly valuable. This position provides leadership to our contract administration function and serves as a trusted advisor to company leadership. The Director will lead contractual reviews and provide critical risk guidance during project evaluation and contract negotiations, working collaboratively with the business and Project Delivery leaders responsible for broader project decisions. This is not a litigation-focused position. The primary emphasis is on proactive contract review, contractual risk assessment, professional liability, insurance risk management, and claims avoidance. The Director will coordinate with external legal counsel when appropriate.

Responsibilities

Contract Review & Risk Management

• Lead the legal and contractual review of complex professional services agreements, master service agreements, design-build and contractor agreements, subconsultant agreements, teaming agreements, nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements, leases, software licenses, and other agreements across the firm's business lines.
• Identify, evaluate, and advise on contractual risks related to indemnification, limitation of liability, standard of care, insurance requirements, warranties, dispute resolution, and other provisions affecting professional services.
• Serve as a key advisor and risk gatekeeper during contract evaluation and negotiations, working with project managers and business leaders who retain responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, and overall project commitments.
• Provide guidance on contractual requirements associated with WSDOT, other state DOTs, municipalities, transit agencies, and other public-sector clients.
• Develop and maintain contract review standards, preferred language, negotiation guidance, and practical tools that promote consistency and efficiency across the organization.
• Strengthen contract documentation practices, including coordination of reviewed agreements, final executed contracts, and material decisions to accept contractual exceptions.
• Exercise sound judgment in distinguishing between unacceptable contractual exposure and manageable business risk, supporting informed decisions that balance risk, revenue, and client relationships.

Professional Liability & Insurance Risk Management

• Serve as the firm's senior advisor on contractual and professional liability risk, collaborating with Project Delivery leadership on broader project delivery risk matters.
• Identify and assess professional liability and business risks associated with the firm's consulting services, including subconsultant insurance gaps, nonperformance, contractual obligations, and limitations of liability.
• Provide guidance to leadership and project teams on potential claims, contractual disputes, and emerging liability issues, emphasizing early intervention and claims avoidance.
• Coordinate with the firm's insurance broker and carriers on coverage considerations, annual renewals, professional liability matters, and emerging insurance risks.
• Facilitate appropriate and timely notification of potential claims to insurance carriers and coordinate with external legal counsel, insurance representatives, and internal stakeholders as necessary.
• Provide contractual and liability risk guidance on major pursuits, alternative delivery arrangements, teaming relationships, and complex client engagements.
• Maintain practical risk management resources, claims escalation procedures, and documentation to support consistent decision-making and organizational continuity.
• Support monitoring and protection of the firm's trademarks in coordination with internal stakeholders and external legal counsel.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor the firm's Contract Administrator, providing guidance on contract review, issue escalation, workflow priorities, and professional development.
• Partner with executive leadership, regional and division leaders, project managers, finance, and other teams to support informed contractual and business decisions.
• Provide training and guidance to project managers and technical professionals on contractual risk, professional liability, insurance requirements, negotiation practices, and claims prevention, including an annual firmwide professional liability training program.
• Build trusted relationships across the organization, encouraging early communication and escalation of contractual concerns and potential risk issues.
• Collaborate with Project Delivery leadership to ensure contractual and professional liability considerations are appropriately incorporated into broader project risk evaluations.
• Provide guidance on professional engineering licensing and regulatory requirements in coordination with the firm's licensed engineering professionals and external counsel, as appropriate.
• Promote a practical, solutions-oriented approach to risk management that protects the firm's interests while supporting client relationships and successful project delivery.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Significant experience practicing law or providing legal counsel in the architecture and engineering consulting industry, with demonstrated expertise in professional services contracts and contractual risk management.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible legal, contract review, or risk management experience, including substantial direct experience supporting A&E consulting operations.
• Demonstrated expertise reviewing complex professional services agreements, including design-build agreements, subconsultant agreements, and public-sector contracts.
• Strong understanding of professional liability, insurance requirements, engineering standards of care, indemnification, limitation of liability, and contractual risk allocation.
• Experience advising on professional liability insurance matters, potential claims, and contractual disputes within the A&E industry.
• Strong business judgment and demonstrated ability to provide practical, defensible recommendations that balance risk mitigation with the realities of operating a consulting business.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership, project managers, and technical professionals.

Preferred qualifications

• Direct experience with WSDOT or other state DOT contracting requirements, consultant agreements, and public infrastructure projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or prior experience in engineering design, project management, or technical project delivery.
• Experience with design-build and other alternative delivery contracts, including complex contractual risk allocation and flow-down provisions.
• Experience working directly with insurance brokers, carriers, and external legal counsel on professional liability and claims matters.
• Previous leadership experience overseeing contract administration or risk management professionals.
• Experience supporting professional engineering licensing and related compliance requirements.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — financial profit sharing and stock ownership
• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability insurance)
• Performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off (vacation and sick/wellness time accruals)
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Bonding Leave
• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid, remote, or in-office options)
• Exciting, award-winning project work with positive community impact

Pay

Salary range: $220,000 – $300,000 USD. Compensation is determined by factors such as education, experience, location, and role. As employee-owners, we are eligible for performance-based bonuses and our salaries are reviewed annually.