Senior Contracts Manager

Provides strategic leadership and subject-matter expertise in the development, negotiation, and administration of complex, high-value contracts supporting systemwide initiatives, operations, research, technology, healthcare, and public service programs. Manages the full contract lifecycle, ensures compliance with policies and regulations, and leads Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system implementation with AI-enabled capabilities to improve efficiency, transparency, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Manage full contract lifecycle: solicitation support, drafting, review, negotiation, execution, compliance monitoring, amendments, and close-out
• Evaluate contractual, financial, operational, and reputational risk; advise leadership on strategy and mitigation
• Partner with legal counsel, procurement, finance, risk management, compliance, and stakeholders to resolve complex issues
• Lead CLM system implementation, governance, integration, and enterprise adoption
• Leverage AI-enabled tools for contract drafting, clause analysis, risk identification, workflow automation, and reporting
• Develop and maintain contract templates, standards, and best practices; drive process improvements
• Support data-driven analytics, reporting, and decision-making
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship; serve as subject-matter expert

Requirements

• 8+ years’ experience in public sector, government, or higher education contract management or sourcing
• Minimum 2 years leading or supporting enterprise initiatives, including CLM system implementation
• Expertise in complex, high-value contract drafting, negotiation, and administration
• Strong skills in lifecycle contract management, risk assessment, and compliance
• Experience advising leadership on governance, compliance, and risk mitigation
• Ability to drive process improvement and stakeholder engagement
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Preferred: CPCM, Paralegal Certification, or PMP