Contracts Manager

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Job Summary:

The Contracts Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the entire contract lifecycle within an organization, with a specific focus on government contracts. They play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, mitigating risks, and maximizing the organization's performance and profitability.

Responsibilities:

• Contract Development: Collaborating with various stakeholders, such as legal teams, procurement departments, and business units, to develop and draft contracts. This involves understanding the organization's needs, negotiating terms and conditions, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, especially in the case of government contracts.
• Contract Negotiation: Engaging in negotiations with clients, suppliers, and government agencies to reach mutually beneficial agreements. The Contracts Manager must possess excellent communication and negotiation skills to secure favorable terms and conditions for the organization while maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved.
• Contract Review and Analysis: Conducting thorough reviews and analysis of contract documents, including terms, conditions, and clauses. This includes identifying potential risks, ambiguities, and discrepancies that may impact the organization's interests and proposing appropriate modifications or amendments.
• Compliance Management: Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, legal regulations, and government policies. Contracts Managers, especially those dealing with government contracts, need to be well-versed in applicable laws, regulations, and compliance requirements to mitigate risks and maintain the organization's eligibility for government contracts.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identifying and assessing potential risks associated with contracts, such as financial, legal, operational, and reputational risks. Contracts Managers develop strategies to minimize these risks, such as implementing appropriate contractual safeguards, insurance coverage, and risk allocation mechanisms.
• Contract Administration: Managing the administration of contracts throughout their lifecycle, including tracking key milestones, deliverables, and timelines. This involves coordinating with internal teams to ensure contract compliance, managing contract modifications and amendments, and resolving disputes or issues that may arise during the contract execution phase.
• Contract Performance Evaluation: Monitoring and evaluating contract performance, including financial metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and service level agreements (SLAs). Contracts Managers work closely with stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of contracts, identify areas for improvement, and propose recommendations for contract renewals or terminations.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contract records, including contract terms, amendments, and related correspondence. Contracts Managers prepare reports, summaries, and presentations for senior management, auditors, and regulatory agencies as necessary.
• Stay Updated with Regulatory Changes: Keeping abreast of changes in government regulations, laws, and policies that impact contract management and government contracts. Contracts Managers must ensure that the organization remains compliant with evolving legal and regulatory requirements to avoid penalties or contract disqualification.
• In summary, a Contracts Manager, including government contracts, is responsible for the end-to-end management of contracts, from negotiation and administration to compliance and risk mitigation. They are knowledgeable in contract law, skilled negotiators, and possess strong analytical and organizational abilities to ensure successful contract outcomes and mitigate potential risks.

Requirements and Preferred Experience:

• Education and Experience:
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business administration, law, or contract management is often required.
• Relevant work experience in contract management, including government contracts, is typically required. The level of experience may vary, but several years of experience in contract management or a related field is often expected.
• A thorough understanding of contract law principles and regulations is essential. This includes knowledge of legal frameworks, contract formation, terms and conditions, risk management, and compliance requirements.
• For government contracts, familiarity with specific regulations and policies applicable to the relevant government agencies or sectors is necessary. This may include knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), or other applicable government procurement regulations.
• Contracts Managers should possess excellent negotiation skills to effectively engage in contract discussions with clients, suppliers, and government agencies. They need to be able to advocate for the organization's interests while maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders.
• The ability to analyze contract terms, identify potential risks, and propose appropriate modifications or alternatives during negotiations is crucial.
• Contracts Managers need to have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess complex contract terms, identify risks, and develop effective solutions.
• They should be able to analyze financial data, perform risk assessments, and evaluate contract performance metrics to make informed decisions and recommendations.
• Contracts involve complex documents and intricate details. Attention to detail is critical to ensure accuracy, identify potential discrepancies, and minimize risks.
• Strong organizational and time management skills are necessary to manage multiple contracts, meet deadlines, and maintain proper documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for effective contract negotiations, correspondence, and stakeholder management.
• Contracts Managers should be able to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including legal teams, senior management, clients, and government representatives.
• A strong understanding of compliance requirements and ethical standards related to contract management is necessary. This includes ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory obligations, organizational policies, and ethical business practices.

$85,000 - $120,000 a year

Other Compensation: Bonus eligible

The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate’s geographical location.

What makes OpenGov unique

» Leadership: CEO Zac Bookman (MPA from Harvard and JD from Yale) is truly a mission-driven CEO. He was named one of the 100 most Intriguing Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs, a Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, and SF and Silicon Valley Business Times' 40 under 40 class of 2018!

» Growth: Record breaking growth with 1,800+ governments (and counting) using our products. Click here to read more.

» Culture: Winner of 2023 Top Workplaces USA award, Awarded Top 25 Cloud Companies to Work For, Winner of Forbes 2022 Best Startup Employers, 50 Best Workplaces award. Check out our Careers Video!

» Perks: 90% paid Medical/Dental/Vision premium for employees, fully paid Life and Short/Long term disability insurance, Unlimited PTO, Parental Leave policy, annual wellness stipend, anniversary awards, and more!

» Product: Named to the GovTech 100 (seven consecutive years), we are the leader in cloud software for our nation's cities, counties, and state agencies.

» Mission Driven: We are a technology company with a passion for the mission. We're powering more effective and accountable government.

Come join us and make a positive social impact!

OpenGov is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.