Contract Specialist

Location: Hybrid / 350 Eddy Street, Providence, RI (occasional office visits required)

Duration: 3-4 months

Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 37.5 hours per week

Experience needed: 3-5 years of contract experience, paralegal desired

Education requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools: Contract Management System (BCM), Microsoft Word Review/Redlining/Track Changes tools

The individual in this position will act as a primary resource within the Strategic Procurement & Contracts (SPC) team for processing contractual agreements related to the procurement of goods and services. The role involves supporting multiple commodities and types of agreements while independently reviewing, drafting, and negotiating terms that comply with the university’s standards and policies. Experience in leading contract negotiations and achieving mutual agreements between parties is essential.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, negotiate, approve, and prepare contract agreements as requested via the Contract Management (BCM) system.
• Serve as a liaison between campus partners, departmental stakeholders, supplier contracting representatives, and Brown subject matter experts.
• Establish and improve communication channels with campus partners to provide guidance on contract review and best practices.
• Negotiate agreements with suppliers in accordance with Brown policies and procedures.
• Identify potential problems or risks and provide workable alternative solutions in structuring contracts.
• Maintain relationships with key campus stakeholder groups and identify appropriate stakeholders for specific contract discussions.
• Perform research and gather information as needed.
• Promote compliance with Brown policies and procedures and state and/or federal regulations.

Contract Management System Support

• Perform responsibilities related to the Contract Manager Role within the Jaggaer Contract Lifecycle Management System.
• Assist in monitoring contract request intake queue and determining appropriate routing/reviewing office.
• Maintain working knowledge of Brown’s contract management system and training documentation.
• Monitor shared Contracts email box to respond to or redirect inquiries.
• Examine contract records in the management system for accuracy and completeness.

Ideal Candidate

• Detail oriented, highly organized, analytical, adaptive, problem solver, creative, patient
• Ability to see the forest for the trees

Must-Have Skills

• IT and technical contract experience
• Attention to detail
• Aptitude working with document management systems

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Paralegal expertise
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to multitask
• Strategic thinking
• Contract negotiating skills

Additional Information

• Contract negotiation experience with strong influencing and persuasive talents.
• Strong analytical skills with close attention to detail.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• High integrity and strong ethics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding and working knowledge of applicable commercial contracting concepts and legal terms.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills and experience working collaboratively across a diverse organization.
• Experience in handling procurement-specific concerns of users and suppliers related to contract management.