Manager, Contracts (Legal)

Role Summary 

We are looking for a Manager, Contracts to support the contract lifecycle from creation to archiving. This role reports to the Associate Dir, Legal Ops & Contract Management and serves as the point of entry for all contractual needs within the organization, managing simple contracts independently and liaising with legal stakeholders on complex contracts. This position is internally referred to as Manager, Contract Relay.

The Manager, Contracts supports contract requestors by assessing needs, selecting appropriate templates, and ensuring compliance with legal regulations, organizational policies and processes. They collaborate with legal, compliance, procurement, business teams and external business partners to ensure smooth and compliant contract management. By maintaining clear, efficient coordination and communication, this role safeguards contractual requirements, timely renewals, amendments and signature, and helps streamline the organization’s contract management practices. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Act as the single point of entry for contracting requests within the organization, tracking and assessing incoming requests, determining contracting need complexity based on information gathered from requestors 

• Work in close collaboration with contract requestors to gather requirements and determine appropriate contract type and template in order to draft and initiate the contracting process 

• Manage the full contract lifecycle from initiation to expiration and archiving, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely renewals, amendments and terminations 

• For simple contracts, provide direct support to requestors on contracting needs draft and review the contract and engage independently in simple contract negotiations with external parties 

• Route more complex contracts or legal questions to appropriate legal stakeholders, supporting on coordination with requestors, other relevant internal and external stakeholders, and prepare supporting documentation 

• Ensure all contracts, regardless of complexity, align with organizational policies and legal standards throughout the contracting process 

• Identify risks, ambiguities, and negotiation opportunities in contract language and escalate to appropriate legal and compliance stakeholders as needed 

• Advocate for organizational interests while maintaining positive partnerships 

• Coordinate internal reviews and approvals with cross-functional stakeholders 

• Maintain accurate contract storage and archiving in the system 

• Support contracting process improvements and operational initiatives as directed by the Contract Specialist Team Lead, and management 

• Perform other duties as assigned by management 

Education and Required Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Life Sciences, Healthcare Management, Legal Studies, or paralegal certification 

• 5+ years of contract management experience working with contract drafting and negotiation 

• Understanding of standard contract clauses, legal terminology, and formats 

• Thorough and detail-oriented for drafting and reviewing contracts 

• Ability to handle, prioritize and follow through a high volume of work and setting appropriate priorities with internal stakeholders 

• Strong negotiation, active listening and inquiry skills 

• Proven ability to actively engage and guide cross-functional stakeholders 

• Adaptation and analytical skills 

• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills 

Travel and Location 

• Less than 5% travel  

• Boston-based role; Hybrid 2-3 days required in the office, increased on-site presence expected during initial onboarding period