Contracts Administrator 2

Contracts Admin 2This position will provide daily contracting and sourcing support (request for proposal, negotiations, contract development, risk mitigation, tracking, analysis) to meet the acquisition needs for services and materials. Proactive and continuous engagement and communication with internal business partners, suppliers, peers, and supervisor. Duties will include the daily support of all sourcing & contracting activities "from cradle to grave", including advising customers on Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) preparation, lead pre-bid meetings, review of offers upon receipt from bidders, cost & price analysis, negotiations, risk assessment, preparing contract documents and agreements; assists in contract administration, incorporation of changes, expediting & follow-up, disposition of claims, and contract closeout. Duties will require leading sourcing projects, assisting in developing and implementing strategic programs for the procurement of Equipment and Services. Expectations include outstanding oral and written communications with ability to excel in high-level communications with Management at multiple levels. Develop the sourcing strategy for low to high risk services. A typical agent will support ~(20 - 25) active projects concurrently with defined turnaround parameters (Target Days) for all contract related documents (RFPs, Master Agreements, Non-Disclosure, Amendments, Statements of Work, etc.) throughout the year. Manage relationships with the company's vendors and ensure efficient and transparent contracting and negotiation process to reduce costs, improve commercial terms and reduce duplication of efforts. Work cross functionally to improve and streamline processes. Ensure that overall risk is properly controlled and mitigated. Develop a detailed knowledge of the Southern Company and Operating Company procurement policies/procedures and have the capability to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME).Expected to build and maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of essential legal provisions, contract common law, contract formation issues, data security issues, remedies, liquidated damages, litigation avoidance, and dispute resolution. Ensure all required terms and conditions are included in procurement documents and work with legal, risk management and financial services (accounting) to resolve contractor exceptions and issues in a timely manner. Draft contract language, including special conditions for complex, non-standard purchases. Identify and evaluate new sources of supply, domestic and globally, when necessary to meet customer needs, including performing market research and analysis. Build and maintain a fundamental to proficient knowledge of our contracting systems utilized in daily support. Conflict Resolution, the ability to engage and fix identified issues. Maintain the primary interface with contractors in an ethical and respectful manner while protecting the company's interests.JOB QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience o BS in Business, Management, Finance, or Law is preferred o Formal education in contract language and law is highly preferredKnowledge, Skills & Abilities Contract law and drafting of terms and conditions (required) Legal and commercial negotiation skills (required) Self-motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision Customer focused with ability to build and maintain relationships with internal customers, suppliers, contractors and other key stakeholders Effectively handle tight deadlines, large workloads, and multiple projects with positive enthusiasm Superior written and oral communication, to successfully negotiate contract terms and write such contracts in a clear, logical and concise mannerCandidate must have effective influencing and consensus-building skills Strategic focus on problem-solving Excellent organizational skills are required to plan and manage assigned workload and customer expectations effectively to meet internal business unit requirements Ability to think strategically and apply broad seasoned judgment to decisions Analytical and interpersonal skills Ability to effectively work and participate in cross-functional and cross-company teams at all levels in the organization to ensure buy-in by multiple companies when working on system projects Behavioral Attributes Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Southern Company's Our Values Self-motivated Customer focused Strong work ethic Exhibits a strong sense of urgency Promotes teamwork Practices ethical behavior Displays creativity, initiative, and flexibility Learns from and utilizes experienceAdditional ResponsibilitiesProvide advanced support to the contracts management team, leveraging 6-10 years of experience to ensure efficient and effective contract administration processes. Independently review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including vendor agreements, client contracts, and other legal documents. Maintain meticulous records of contracts, amendments, and related documents, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements. Monitor and track contract milestones, deliverables, and obligations, and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely fulfillment. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, procurement, and finance, to ensure contract compliance and resolve any issues or discrepancies. Take a lead role in complex contract negotiations and amendments, demonstrating proficiency in contract law and legal terminology. Provide guidance and mentorship to junior contracts administrators, as needed, to ensure the team's success. Contribute to the development and enhancement of contract management systems and databases. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and contract management software.