Contracts Attorney

Position Overview Contracts Attorney – Full‑time, exempt; Salary Range: $95,000 – $115,000 per year. Location: NEEA, Portland, OR (hybrid – at least 2 days onsite). Eligibility: US work authorization required (no visa sponsorship). The attorney will work closely with NEEA’s Corporate Counsel, Contracts/Legal Team, external parties and internal contract managers to support a high‑volume, dynamic contracting environment. Typical Responsibilities Provide efficient and timely contracting and legal assistance to the organization, including: Advise and strategize with Contract Owners on issues related to contract planning, sourcing, and drafting to identify and address commercial and legal options. Engage in each step of the contract lifecycle – from initiation to execution – to support the Contracts team and Contracts Manager. Act as team lead for identifying and independently resolving most legal issues and risks; escalating to Corporate Counsel only when necessary. Coordinate with Contract Owners, the Contracts/Legal team, Business Administration staff, and vendors to complete tasks, provide guidance, and solve issues. Lead contract and other negotiations with vendors, funders, and third parties, escalating to Corporate Counsel as needed. Customize, draft, prepare, review, and negotiate legal documents, including funding agreements, RFPs, purchase orders, non‑disclosure agreements, memoranda, service agreements, license agreements, participant releases and other organization‑related agreements. Proactively identify and manage complex legal and contracting issues, including assessment of strategic vendor relationships. Provide ongoing guidance on the sharing, security, and confidentiality of data (licensed datasets, personally identifiable information, sales data, utility billing data) and track confidentiality restrictions. Act as the primary Contracts Team liaison and administrator of all RFPs, templates, and negotiations. Create, update, and maintain contracting resources and templates to expedite contract set‑up, best practices, and legal drafting & review (e.g., self‑service contracting resources, internal webpage, clause libraries, external contractor webpage). Maintain employee Conflict of Interest policy and tracking. Develop and deliver trainings and resources to ensure organizational contracting best practices as directed by Corporate Counsel. Support the team by providing guidance on collaboration methods to meet team goals with external parties. Regularly update and improve contract templates to ensure consistency and compliance with funding agreements, organizational policies, state and federal regulations. Perform quality control per established procedures before contract submission to ensure accurate data in NEEA’s financial and contract‑management systems; resolve any issues or discrepancies that arise. Assist Corporate Counsel in other matters as needed. Perform any other duties necessary or desirable to support the organization’s success. Supervisory Responsibilities No supervisory responsibility, but may provide leadership and guidance to temporary staff and/or assist with orientation of new members of the work group. Qualifications Law degree from an ABA‑accredited institution with 1–3years of related experience in contracts, transactional work, and/or corporate law. Membership in the Oregon State Bar or ability to obtain license through reciprocity or other permissible method promptly post‑hire. Proficiency in contract negotiation, facilitation, and related communication skills. Proficiency in contract review and drafting, understanding of contract terms, conditions, and legal effect. Strong verbal and written communication and customer‑service skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a legal or cross‑functional team. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related applications including Word, Excel, and SharePoint. Ability to synthesize complex information and use intuition and experience to complement data. Experience designing individual workflows and recommending procedures. Quick comprehension of NEEA’s portfolio of energy‑efficiency activities and their relevance to stakeholders and programs. High adaptability and ability to help define and refine the position to achieve desired outcomes. Proven track record of prioritizing and planning work activities while remaining flexible and enthusiastic. Positive “can‑do” attitude. Exceptional communication skills with ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Strong presentation skills. Ability to vary communication style to meet needs. Proven success as a team builder, team player and leader, including receiving and implementing feedback from peers and cross‑functional members. Act as the de‑facto owner for all legal aspects of the contracting process. Strong desire to continuously learn and implement improvements in contract drafting and negotiation skills. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and training considered. Benefits 90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents. Employer‑funded Health Savings Account. 136hours of PTO per year. Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching. Flexible work environment, including hybrid location and 9/80 schedule options. Professional development opportunities. About NEEA The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 140 electric and natural gas utilities and energy‑efficiency organizations working to increase adoption of energy‑efficient products, services and practices in the Northwest. Since 1997, the region has achieved more than 959average megawatts of co‑created electric energy savings – enough to power more than 700000 Northwest homes each year. NEEA welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and fields of expertise, with or without previous experience in the energy industry. Equal Opportunity Employer NEEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr