Construction Contract Administrator

Overview

Cosmo Cabinets, a family-owned manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinets based in Eatonton, Georgia, is seeking a Construction Contract Administrator. The role focuses on reviewing and negotiating subcontracts with general contractors to ensure risk is appropriately managed before signing. With a production facility covering 350,000 square feet and producing 1,500 cabinets daily, the company supports multi-family apartment projects throughout the Southeast. The Contract Administrator plays a critical role in safeguarding project profitability by managing subcontract risks.

Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze general contractor subcontracts, master agreements, purchase orders, and change orders to identify and address clauses shifting undue risk to Cosmo Cabinets.
• Redline contracts, produce exception letters, and engage in negotiations with general contractors’ contract administrators and project executives to secure acceptable terms.
• Provide leadership with early risk assessments and clear guidance on whether to sign, renegotiate, or reject contracts.
• Develop and maintain a subcontract clause playbook outlining standard and fallback negotiation positions and firm limits, reducing repetitive contract negotiations.
• Monitor and verify compliance with insurance requirements, endorsements, bonds, and certificates stipulated in construction contracts.
• Manage lien waivers, preliminary notices, and deadline tracking throughout active multi-family projects.
• Retrieve contract language for addressing disputes, back-charges, or delay claims during projects and assist project teams accordingly.
• Coordinate with outside legal counsel as needed for complex contracts, handling routine contracts independently.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience reviewing and negotiating construction contracts on behalf of subcontractors or general contractors.
• Legal expertise evidenced by a JD degree, paralegal certification, or equivalent in-depth practical experience with construction contracts.
• Good understanding of State lien laws and payment bond legislation, with multi-state knowledge considered an asset.
• Strong judgment to distinguish between clauses that are merely inconvenient and those that are unacceptable risks.
• Excellent written communication skills to produce precise contract redlines and exception correspondence representing Cosmo Cabinets.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in multi-family or residential construction sectors.
• Knowledge of cabinetry, millwork, casework, or finishing trades.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) software.
• Georgia state bar membership is advantageous but not mandatory.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off amounting to 3 weeks annually.