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JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Contract Manager FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Legal JOB CODE:
DIVISION: Corporate
REPORTS TO: Vice President, Legal
SUMMARY: Responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements to support Pace® business objectives while protecting the company from undue legal, financial, and operational risk. Partners closely with the Sales team to resolve contract issues and help close deals, often on short timelines, and supports the Procurement department on vendor agreements. Assesses risk, advises internal clients on contract terms and practical alternatives, and escalates significant issues as appropriate. Works independently on routine and moderately complex matters, exercising sound judgment within established guidelines and approval authorities.
This role is expected to be hybrid, where there may be an opportunity for remote work after an initial onsite training period. Once fully trained, it is expected that there will be at least one scheduled in-office day per week.
The salary range for this role is $77,025 to $128,400. Salary is commensurate with experience, and final offers are determined by a candidate's specific skills and qualifications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
- Reviews, drafts, and negotiates a wide range of customer agreements, including master services agreements, statements of work, confidentiality agreements, pricing agreements, customer terms and conditions, and amendments; proposes revisions and alternative language that protect company interests while supporting business goals.
- Partners with the Sales team to support the timely closing of deals; participates in client and internal deal calls, responds to customer redlines and contract questions on accelerated timelines, and develops creative, commercially reasonable solutions to resolve negotiation impasses.
- Identifies, assesses, and communicates legal, financial, and operational risks in proposed agreements, including liability, indemnification, insurance, intellectual property, regulatory, and quality obligations; recommends risk mitigation strategies and escalates high-risk or non-standard terms in accordance with approval authorities.
- Advises internal clients, including Sales, Operations, Laboratory, and Finance leadership, on contract terms, interpretation, obligations, and negotiation strategy; provides clear, practical guidance to support informed business decisions.
- Partners with the Procurement department to review, draft, and negotiate vendor and supplier agreements, including purchase agreements, service agreements, equipment and software agreements, and confidentiality agreements; identifies supplier-related risks and recommends appropriate terms and protections.
- Manages a high volume of concurrent contract requests; prioritizes work based on deadlines, business impact, and risk; maintains accurate contract records and tracks key dates, renewals, and obligations; develops and maintains contract templates, standard positions, and negotiation guidelines, and provides guidance and training to Sales and Procurement personnel on contracting processes.
- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
- Promotes and supports the overall mission of Pace® by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with customers and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, legal studies, or a closely related field; AND five (5) years of professional experience in contract management, contract negotiation, or a similar role, including experience supporting a sales organization; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Experience in a laboratory services, life sciences, environmental, or other regulated industry is preferred.
Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Required Knowledge:
- Principles and practices of commercial contract drafting, negotiation, and administration.
- Common commercial contract terms and their legal and business implications, including limitation of liability, indemnification, warranties, insurance, intellectual property, confidentiality, data protection, and payment terms.
- Risk assessment and risk mitigation techniques as applied to commercial transactions.
- Sales processes and deal cycles in a business-to-business services environment.
- Procurement processes and common terms in vendor and supplier agreements.
- Contract lifecycle management practices, including recordkeeping, obligation tracking, and renewals.
- Computer applications related to work, especially Microsoft Office and contract management systems.
- Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Required Skills:
- Negotiating effectively with clients and counterparties while maintaining positive business relationships.
- Meeting short deadlines and responding promptly to time-sensitive requests without sacrificing accuracy.
- Balancing conflicting priorities and managing a high volume of concurrent matters through to completion.
- Assessing legal and business risk and developing practical, well-reasoned recommendations.
- Advising internal clients clearly and concisely on contract terms, risks, and available options.
- Collaborating with sales teams to resolve issues and move deals forward to closing, and with procurement teams to secure appropriate vendor terms.
- Using attention to detail and analytical skills.
- Communicating effectively in written and verbal form, with ability to convey complex information to various stakeholders.
- Interpreting, applying, and explaining contract terms and applicable laws and regulations.
- Using initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines and escalation procedures.
- Operating and collaborating with team members in a virtual work environment, if applicable.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individuals contacted in the course of the work.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 10 pounds; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office or remote setting. Work may be subject to infrequent travel.
Find Your Place at Pace - We need you - your curiosity, your talents, and your drive - to help us advance this important work.
Benefits
When you join Pace®, you commit to work that makes a positive impact on our communities and our world. We commit to supporting you with benefits and perks that make a positive impact on your life. Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes competitive salaries, medical, dental vision, 401K retirement savings plan (100% vested immediately in the employer match), life, disability and voluntary benefits, paid time off for holiday, sick and vacation days, HSA, wellness program, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance program, parental leave, optional legal coverage and ID theft.
Equal Opportunity Employer Pace® provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, genetics, protected veteran status, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.