Senior Contracts Manager, Systemwide Procurement

Senior Contracts Manager

The Senior Contracts Manager provides strategic leadership and subject-matter expertise in the development, negotiation, and administration of complex, high-value contracts on behalf of the University of California Office of the President. This role oversees a broad portfolio of agreements supporting systemwide initiatives, campus operations, research, technology, healthcare, and public service programs. The position is responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle, including solicitation support, risk assessment, drafting, negotiation, execution, compliance monitoring, amendments, and close-out. The Senior Contracts Manager partners closely with legal counsel, procurement, finance, risk management, compliance, campus stakeholders, and external entities to ensure contracts align with UC policy, state and federal regulations, and institutional risk tolerance. This role exercises independent judgment on complex contractual issues, advises senior leadership on contractual risk and strategy, develops and maintains standard terms and templates, and may lead or mentor other contracts professionals. The Senior Contracts Manager plays a key role in advancing UC's operational efficiency, stewardship of public funds, and systemwide governance objectives. In addition, the Senior Contracts Manager leads the implementation, governance, and enterprise adoption of a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system to modernize and standardize contracting processes across the organization. This includes defining business requirements, partnering with IT and key stakeholders, establishing governance structures, driving change management, and ensuring system integration with procurement and financial platforms. The role is also responsible for advancing the strategic use of artificial intelligence within the CLM tool, leveraging AI-driven capabilities to enhance contract drafting, risk identification, workflow automation, analytics, and reporting. Through this work, the Senior Contracts Manager supports data-informed decision-making, improves operational transparency, and strengthens institutional risk management at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complex Contract Development, Negotiation, and Administration: Independently manages the full lifecycle of complex, high-risk, and high-value contracts supporting systemwide UC programs and initiatives.
• Strategic Risk Assessment and Advisory Services: Evaluates contractual, financial, operational, and reputational risk and provides expert guidance to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) Systems and AI-Enabled Tools: Leads and supports the use of enterprise Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems, including AI-enabled capabilities, to streamline contract intake, drafting, clause analysis, risk identification, workflow automation, and reporting.
• Process Improvement, Governance, and Functional Leadership: Develops and implements contract standards, templates, and best practices; identifies opportunities for continuous improvement in contracting processes; and contributes to systemwide governance initiatives.

Experience Required Qualifications:

• Min 8 years of experience working in or across the Public Sector, Government, or Higher Education, and working in complex enterprise-wide sourcing functions and/or full life cycle Contract Management within procurement and/or legal departments; includes a minimum of 2 years of leading and/or supporting enterprise initiatives, specifically CLM systems implementation.

Skills and Abilities Required Qualifications:

• Expertise in managing complex, high-value agreements.
• Contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Skilled in full lifecycle contract management, risk assessment, and developing standard terms, templates, and playbooks.
• Experience advising leadership on governance, compliance, and operational risk mitigation.
• Problem-solving through data-driven decision making, emotional intelligence, and stakeholder engagement.

Education Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
• Paralegal Certification
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Special Conditions:

• This position has been approved for a hybrid work arrangement. The person hired must report to work two days on-site in Oakland or at a campus location near their home. If in Oakland, the person hired is required to be on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, subject to change. If at a campus, the two days on-site is dependent upon the campus, subject to change. The person hired is required to reside in the State of California.

Salary and Benefits:

• Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Professional 4
• Job Code: 005917
• Salary Grade: Grade 25
• Payscale: $140,000 - $165,000, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

How to Apply:

• Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

Application Review Date:

• The first review date for this job is 4/24/2026, this position will be open until filled.

Conditions of Employment:

• Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position.
• Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

EEO Statement:

• The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.