At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

The Senior Lead Counsel - Contracts will provide management, counsel, representation and supervision of the Contracts Practice within the Commercial Transactions Center of Excellence, under the supervision of the General Counsel and Managing Counsel - Commercial Transactions. The Senior Lead Counsel - Contracts is responsible for providing strategic leadership to transform the way MassDOT and the MBTA does business in the market place.

• Work in close collaboration with Senior Lead Counsel - Procurement to provide advice and counsel to the business units of MassDOT and the MBTA on contract related matters.
• Partner with internal and external business partners to review, draft, negotiate and interpret a high volume contracts on behalf of the MassDOT and MBTA.
• Act as a liaison between Office of General Counsel and internal and external business partners as necessary for contract inquiries and guidance.
• Develop and implement best practice solutions to improve contract management and delivery of related legal services.
• Master and seek to continue to improve the internal contracting tools, including the review, updating and development of contract templates
• Help develop and implement new policies, procedures and templates and provide education on same to internal business partners.
• Provide comments to and propose drafts of proposed federal and state laws and regulations related to MassDOT and MBTA contracting authority. Ensure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Handle contract dispute resolutions.
• Identify contracting risks and develop risk allocation solutions.
• Identify contracting performance gaps and work to implement corrective actions.
• Provide analysis, recommendations and reports to General Counsel.
• Lead MassDOT's and the MBTA's contract management modernization efforts.
• Adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the MBTA including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• Will directly supervise two (2) Legal Counsels.

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited institution.
• Membership in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar with annual certification and registration by the Board of Bar Overseers.
• Minimum 10 years of contracts experience, either as an in-house attorney or with a government agency or municipality.
• Ability to manage a high contract volume.
• Ability to manage, supervise and communicate with staff members and project stakeholders.
• Experience with information technology procurement is a plus, but not required.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced work environment.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, quantitative, writing, multi-tasking and time management skills.
• Proficient with the use of MS Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and present effectively to a diverse group of stakeholders and customers
• Have the ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions 

• None

Preferred Experience and Skills

• 5 years experience in the legal department of a public agency.
• Experience involving government procurement and contracting; public bidding laws; and prequalification of contractors.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations concerning disadvantaged business enterprises and minority and women-owned businesses.
• Experience representing public agencies at negotiations, dispute resolution proceedings, and administrative hearings.
• Experience drafting and reviewing agreements related to state and federal grant programs; MOUs and interagency agreements; and agreements involving public entities (state, federal, and local).

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
9. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.