Senior Contracts Manager

The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world's leading independent platform for digital advertising, with nearly 4,000 employees across more than 30 offices. Our technology helps advertisers reach the right audiences across the open internet – from streaming TV and podcasts to mobile apps, news, and more. Advertising powers the content people love. By making it more transparent, effective, and responsible, we help support trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and creators worldwide. The world's brands and agencies rely on us to reach their customers and grow their businesses responsibly. What we do We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to lead and evolve our Contracts Management function within our growing Legal Operations team. This is a leadership role for someone who is passionate about building and scaling high‑performing contracts organizations, driving operational excellence, and expanding the impact of contracts professionals within a modern legal department. What you’ll do Lead the continued evolution of our Contracts Management function, developing and executing a vision for how the team supports the business and legal department at scale. Drive the expansion of the Contracts Management team's capabilities, enabling the team to independently review, draft, negotiate, and manage an increasing range of agreements while ensuring appropriate risk‑management and escalation practices. Establish best practices, playbooks, training programs, quality standards, and operational processes that enhance consistency, efficiency, and service delivery across the team. Manage and develop a team of Contracts Managers, providing coaching, mentorship, performance management, and career development opportunities. Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including NDAs, service agreements, amendments, order forms, statements of work, procurement agreements, and other standard contracts. Partner closely with attorneys and business stakeholders to identify opportunities to shift appropriate workstreams, streamline contract review processes, and increase organizational self‑service capabilities. Analyze team performance, contract metrics, and workflow data to identify trends, optimize resource allocation, and continuously improve team effectiveness. Serve as a trusted advisor and key point of contact for internal stakeholders, providing guidance on contract processes, policies, and contract status. Partner with Legal Operations and technology teams to implement and optimize CLM solutions, automation opportunities, and other tools that improve contract lifecycle management. Lead strategic projects and initiatives that support broader Legal Operations and Legal Department goals. Who you are 10+ years of contracts management experience, including significant drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements. 3+ years of people‑leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high‑performing teams. Proven experience designing, scaling, or transforming contracts management programs, support models, or operational processes within a legal, procurement, or commercial organization. Strong judgment and ability to independently negotiate agreements while appropriately assessing risk and escalating complex legal issues. Demonstrated success driving process improvement, operational excellence, and organizational change. Experience developing playbooks, workflows, training programs, and other tools that enable teams to operate more efficiently and consistently. Strong analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data and metrics to inform decisions and improve team performance. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization. Strong technology aptitude and experience leveraging CLM platforms, workflow tools, and automation solutions to improve contracting processes. Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment while balancing strategic initiatives with day‑to‑day operational leadership. Compensation and Benefits Base salary range: $93,800 – $172,000 USD. Additional benefits include comprehensive healthcare, retirement plans with company match, disability and life insurance, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, sick time, vacation, paid holidays, and a company stock purchase plan. The Trade Desk does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm recruiters. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of The Trade Desk. The Trade Desk is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. The Trade Desk will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, Ordinance No. 184652. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accommodations As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Trade Desk is committed to creating an inclusive hiring experience where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 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