Senior Contract Manager

Senior Contracts ManagerWe are seeking an experienced and business-minded Senior Contracts Manager to support our publishing and licensing operations. This role will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of contracts, with a strong emphasis on license agreements with major brands and intellectual property owners, as well as publishing agreements with authors, illustrators, and other creative contributors.The ideal candidate combines strong contract drafting and problem solving skills with practical business judgment, the ability to handle a large volume of contracts and partner effectively with internal business people, and experience navigating complex brand licensing relationships.Responsibilities include:Independently draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, including:Brand and intellectual property license agreementsPublishing agreements with authors, illustrators, work for hire agreements and other contributorsAmendments, renewals, and related contract documentationNegotiate contracts with major brand partners, licensors, agents, and rights holdersCommunicate with business people across various departments to resolve contract issues.Provide practical, business-oriented guidance to editorial, licensing and product teams. Advise in-house staff about contract interpretation, industry custom and practice.Ensure agreements align with company business objectives while protecting legal and commercial interestsIdentify contractual risks and propose commercially reasonable solutions during negotiationsMaintain contract templates and support the development of standardized agreementsTrack contract status, key terms, and obligations in collaboration with internal stakeholdersCoordinate with legal counsel when necessary on complex or high-value agreementsMentor and collaborate with more junior contract department staff and provide a second-level review of agreements.Support rights management and compliance with license termsAbout ScholasticFor more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation has been meeting children where they are – at school, at home and in their communities – by creating quality content and experiences, all beginning with literacy. Scholastic delivers stories, characters, and learning moments that empower all kids to become lifelong readers and learners through bestselling children's books, literacy- and knowledge-building resources for schools including classroom magazines, and award-winning, entertaining children's media. As the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online, and with a global reach into more than 135 countries, Scholastic encourages the personal and intellectual growth of all children, while nurturing a lifelong relationship with reading, themselves, and the world around them.Some benefits that we offer:Full suite of health and wellness benefits (including a $0 deductible Medical Plan)Retirement Savings Plan 401(k) with options for both Roth and Traditional ContributionsTuition-Free programs for undergraduate and graduate degreesGenerous Parental Leave ProgramEmployee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with opportunity for discounted stock at a 15% discountQualifications include:Significant experience negotiating brand license agreements with large IP holders. Experience with toy and media companies is a plus.Experience with author, illustrator, and creative contributor agreementsStrong understanding of intellectual property and publishing rights structuresExcellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skillsAbility to balance legal risk with business prioritiesStrong organizational skills and attention to detailComfortable working cross-functionally with editorial, licensing, and business teamsAbility to translate deal terms into an agreement, work independently, problem solve and draft contract language where no precedent is available.Business-friendly and solutions-orientedExcellent business judgment and practical decision-makingStrong relationship-building and negotiation skillsAble to manage multiple agreements and priorities in a fast-paced environmentCollaborative and responsive partner to internal stakeholdersExperience: 10+ years of experience in contract drafting and negotiation, preferably within publishing, media, entertainment, or consumer products licensingEducation: Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree is a plus