Dowbuilt is adding a Legal Operations Specialist to our San Francisco based team. This position works closely with our West Coast President to strengthen the company’s operational infrastructure by optimizing legal processes, managing contract workflows, and supporting risk mitigation across complex, architect driven residential construction projects. The role integrates legal operations rigor with the precision, collaboration, and high-quality standards that define Dowbuilt’s work.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Legal Operations & Process Optimization
Outcome: Build and maintain a high-performing, scalable legal operations infrastructure that improves efficiency, visibility, and risk management across all regions.
Accountabilities:

• Standardize and continuously improve legal workflows aligned with operational and project execution needs.
• Develop and maintain structured processes for contract intake, review, approval, and document management.
• Implement and manage matter tracking systems for claims, disputes, compliance matters, and project-related issues.
• Create and maintain dashboards and KPIs that provide leadership with visibility into legal workload, contract volume, cycle times, and operational performance.
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement improvements that reduce administrative burden and legal risk.

Contracts Administration
Outcome: Ensure accurate, timely, and disciplined contract administration that protects margin, reduces risk exposure, and supports seamless project execution across the organization.
Accountabilities:

• Serve as system administrator for the contract management platform, ensuring data accuracy, workflow integrity, and user support.
• Docket, track, and proactively monitor all contract term dates, notice provisions, and critical deadlines.
• Maintain and update standardized contract templates for subcontractors, vendors, consultants, and specialty trades.
• Support project teams with contract language modifications, particularly subcontracts, in coordination with leadership and outside counsel.
• Coordinate contract routing, approvals, and execution to prevent project delays across all regions.
• Assist outside counsel with document preparation, redlines, and negotiation support as required.

Project & Stakeholder Support
Outcome: Integrate legal operations seamlessly into field and regional teams to ensure legal processes enhance — rather than hinder — project performance and client satisfaction.
Accountabilities:

• Partner with Project Managers, Superintendents, and regional leadership to align legal processes with field execution realities and client expectations.
• Support cross-functional initiatives including policy implementation, technology rollouts, and process redesign efforts.
• Manage timelines and deliverables for legal-related projects impacting multiple regions.
• Serve as a responsive, solutions-oriented resource to operational teams.

Risk, Compliance & Construction-Specific Governance
Outcome: Strengthen enterprise risk management and compliance discipline to protect the company’s financial performance, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
Accountabilities:

• Track and maintain compliance documentation including licensing, insurance certificates, lien waivers, and subcontractor qualification materials.
• Support claims and dispute management through organized documentation gathering, deadline tracking, and summary preparation.
• Maintain document retention protocols and ensure e-discovery readiness aligned with Company standards.
• Prepare and maintain corporate governance documentation including board resolutions, minutes, and shareholder agreements.
• Support risk mitigation efforts through disciplined recordkeeping and proactive compliance monitoring.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

• Bachelor’s degree in business, legal studies, construction management, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in legal operations, contracts management, or project management.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort with legal technology platforms.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Dowbuilders are held to the following standards around effective communication (both written and verbal):
  • Clear—main ideas easily identified and understood.
  • Concise—gets to the point without using unneeded words or images.
  • Concrete—includes specific examples or explanations.
  • Persuasive - refer to objective criteria such as industry practice, project limitations and precedent.
  • Self-aware - remain flexible, curious, and courteous in all communications.

• Experience with web-based solutions such as Smartsheet, ShareFile, Slack and Asana is preferred
• Able to adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances
• Motivated, dependable and trustworthy
• Ability to follow instructions, take notes and perform work as designated
• Ability to be an active listener, ask for help and suggest solutions
• Ability to manage stress and maintain composure in challenging situations
• Strive to continually learn and develop new skills and capabilities
• Demonstrate dependability by arriving on time every day ready to work through the end of the day
• Demonstrate discretion and treat all proprietary company information as strictly confidential outside (and in some cases inside) the company

• Experience in construction, architecture, or a craft‑driven industry.
• Familiarity with residential construction contracts, including AIA documents.
• Experience with establishing a contract management system or matter‑management systems.
• Ability to support multiple regional teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• U.S. work authorization

WHAT WE OFFER

We are a fun, easygoing bunch of professionals who take a lot of pride in the work we do. We acknowledge the contributions and talents of our team members by providing benefits that support you at work and in life:

• Competitive pay commensurate with skills and experience
• 100% paid Medical, Dental, Vision, short-term disability and $50k in basic life insurance for full-time employees – 1st of the month following DOH
• 35% Medical and 30% Dental + Vision coverage for eligible dependents
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with 3% employer safe harbor contribution
• 8 paid holidays each year, no waiting period
• Paid Time-Off (PTO) – 2.31 hours per week to start (120 hours annually) with an increase to this accrual each January with years of service up to max 192 hours/24 days annually
• Mentorship and career development opportunities
• Annual discretionary bonus

Compensation Range:
The base pay range for this position is $170,000 -  $200,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, geographic location, and internal equity. 

New hires typically start below the midpoint of the range, with the opportunity for growth and advancement over time.

WHO WE ARE

Dowbuilt is a construction company founded in 1980, and today our talented teams can be found from coast to coast. We excel at cutting-edge, innovative, never-been-done-before residential projects and home service—all of which require precision and impeccable attention to detail. We work with top architects, and our builds are regularly featured in publications such as Architectural Digest and Architectural Record.

The Dowbuilt culture is one of care—care for our employees, clients, and the talented craftspeople we partner with—resulting in care for the incredible designs we bring to life.

HOW YOU'LL GROW

We’re committed to investing in our team members’ ongoing professional development. At Dowbuilt, we want everyone to have equal opportunity to play to their strengths, fill gaps in knowledge, and grow professionally. We believe that effective career development requires two-way, open communication between employee and manager. Expectation setting happens on both sides, along with support, mentorship, and goal setting at regular intervals. Find out where your career will take you at Dowbuilt.

Dowbuilt is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.