Head of Legal

Department:

Executive

Reports to:

CEO

Location:

Columbia, TN

Classification:

Full-Time | Non-Exempt 

At KCS, we bring construction visions to life: safely, on time, and with excellence. Headquartered in Columbia, Tennessee, we are a full-service construction company offering commercial concrete, general contracting, and specialty services across the Southeast. With more than two decades of experience, KCS has earned a reputation for integrity, performance, and a commitment to doing things the right way. Whether delivering structural concrete solutions or turnkey building projects, we're proud to be a trusted partner in helping clients build lasting legacies.

Position Summary:

The Head of Legal will serve as KCS's first in-house legal leader, partnering closely with the CEO and executive team to oversee all legal, compliance, and risk management functions. This role will lead contract negotiation and management, ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, mitigate risk, and provide strategic legal counsel to support the company's growth, operations, and long-term goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, subcontracts, vendor agreements, and teaming agreements; maintain templates and contract tracking.
• Review bid packages, proposals, and government solicitations to ensure compliance and support winning strategies.
• Oversee real estate transactions, leases, equipment purchases, and related documentation.
• Ensure subcontract agreements include proper flow-down provisions, lien protections, indemnity, and safety requirements; support resolution of field-level legal issues.
• Manage company insurance programs, claims, and incident responses; ensure policies align with client and contract requirements.
• Maintain contractor licenses across jurisdictions and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and state/local regulations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team on legal risks, contracts, and growth strategy; participate in board-level discussions.
• Lead M&A support including due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiation of LOIs and purchase agreements.
• Oversee corporate governance, including entity management, board approvals, and compliance filings.
• Manage claims, disputes, and litigation in coordination with insurers and outside counsel.
• Partner with HR to ensure compliance with labor and employment laws, multi-state requirements, and employee policies.
• Provide legal support for strategic initiatives, ownership restructures, lender diligence, and partnerships.
• Develop internal policies, playbooks, and training to strengthen compliance, risk management, and legal awareness across the company.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Tennessee (or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe).
• 7+ years of progressive legal experience, preferably with exposure to construction, real estate, or corporate law.
• Strong background in contract negotiation, compliance, and risk management.
• Experience advising executives and managing external counsel.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate legal concepts into practical business terms.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to balance legal rigor with business growth priorities.

KCS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.