Contracts Manager

About the Opportunity Contracts Manager reports to the Director of Contract Management to support a newly created, centralized contracting “center of expertise” to support faculty and staff purchases of goods and services from third‑party suppliers. Today, the university processes approximately 5,000+ supplier contracts per year in a highly decentralized environment. In this role, the Contracts Manager will leverage technology, including artificial intelligence, to design and implement processes aimed at streamlining contract cycle times while mitigating business, reputational, and legal risk to the university. Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities Support the overall contract management lifecycle for US‑based agreements, including triaging pre‑approved contract requests from university stakeholders. Author and/or redline supplier contracts using university‑approved legal templates and clause libraries. Review contracts to ensure legal and business terms adequately mitigate reputational and financial risk to the university. Negotiate legal and business terms by collaborating with P2P colleagues and other relevant university stakeholders. Facilitate the signature delegation process to ensure contracts are executed by authorized university signatories. Use contract lifecycle management and other SaaS‑based technologies, including Jaggaer and Docusign, to drive improved outcomes. Coordinate additional legal review of contracts with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) when required. Maintain the University’s standard contracting templates and clause libraries in conjunction with OGC, while interfacing with suppliers and campus schools, colleges, and departments. Coordinate with P2P team members on strategic sourcing initiatives, including category planning and competitive bid processes. Operate as a self‑starter in a fast‑paced, global environment, adapting to changing business needs. May have authority to sign contracts based on approved risk criteria and dollar thresholds. Contract Lifecycle Management Review assigned contract requests routed from university stakeholders for compliance based on university policies and procedures. Ensure departmental approvals are complete to establish alignment that goods/services are purchased in accordance with university policies related to business and cost justification. Author and/or redline supplier contracts using university‑approved legal templates and clause libraries. Liaison with other P2P team members to triage incoming contract requests and ensure compliance with sourcing and bid policies. Apply business judgment and work with OGC and Risk Services partners to propose alternative terms when necessary. Support the review of RFPs for proper legal compliance. Facilitate contract signatures from suppliers and authorized, board‑designated contract signatories. Business Process Optimization Collaborate with P2P team to consistently improve and streamline processes to reduce contract cycle times and institutional risk. Embrace technology and automation to reduce or eliminate repetitive processes related to contracting. Maintain key process documentation, including user guides, to ensure business continuity. Measure key operational metrics and success indicators. Professional Development & Training Support the training of external stakeholders on the basics of contracting and negotiation in partnership with OGC and P2P. Invest in professional development to drive more value and innovation to the contracting function. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant professional contracting experience, including exposure to higher education and/or healthcare institutions. Prior experience with supply‑side contracting at a large‑scale, global institution. Prior experience drafting and negotiating business and legal terms across diverse spend categories that support education and research. Self‑motivated, agile professional able to prioritize, multi‑task, and work horizontally and vertically across a decentralized organization to drive value. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence and build trusted‑advisor relationships by delivering compelling business cases, customer empathy, and data‑driven decision‑making. Proficiency with Microsoft business programs (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Preferred Qualifications Professional contracting certification and/or credentials (e.g., "Juris Doctor"/JD, CPCM). Prior experience with contract management technology (Jaggaer Contracts, Docusign) and development of in‑application clause libraries. Proficiency with using artificial intelligence engines to automate contracting tasks such as drafting agreements, tracking changes, version control, and suggesting alternative clauses. Experience in a relevant industry, such as higher education or non‑profit environments. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 111S Expected Hiring Range: $87,785.00 - $123,998.75 Benefits Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education, and skills when extending an offer. The university offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees, including medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness and life, retirement, and commuting/transportation. Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr NU USA Northeastern University