Contract Management Lead

Job Description

The Contract Management Lead is a critical member of the Corporate Procurement team, responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle—from intake and drafting through negotiation, execution, and post-signature management. This role ensures that third-party agreements are strategically structured, thoroughly reviewed, and executed with precision, balancing speed, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and business alignment. Using independent judgment and discretion, this role reviews and negotiates legal and commercial terms to ensure contracts align with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and risk tolerance.

The Contract Management Lead collaborates closely with Legal, Risk Domain Experts, and business stakeholders to streamline workflows, reduce cycle times, and enhance visibility into supplier obligations. This position directly supports Corporate Procurement's mission to implement scalable, efficient, and risk-aware contracting practices that drive strategic objectives and operational excellence.

• Manage the full contract management life cycle from intake and drafting through negotiation, execution, and post-signature tracking
• Draft, redline, and review a variety of commercial agreements, including but not limited to:
  Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Software Licenses, and Software as a Service Agreements (SaaS)
• Lead or support contract negotiations with suppliers, ensuring terms are commercially sound, compliant with internal standards, and aligned with business objectives
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders (Legal, Risk, IT, Business Units) to understand needs, communicate risks, and ensure smooth contract execution
• Serve as a key point of contact for suppliers during the contracting process, fostering collaboration and accountability
• Identify contractual risks and propose practical solutions that protect the organization without impeding operational goals
• Maintain organized records and support contract version control, status tracking, and key date monitoring
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including playbook development, process enhancements, and future implementation of contract management tools
• Educate stakeholders on contracting standards, approval workflows, and policy requirements
• Adopt and apply contracting best practices to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risk, and drive consistency, ensuring all activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and applicable regulatory requirements

• Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
• Work as part of a team
• Work with on-site equipment

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor's Degree In business, legal studies, supply chain, or a related field.

• 8 - 12 years Experience supporting contract lifecycle activities within Procurement, Legal, or a related function
• 8 - 12 years Demonstrated experience drafting, redlining, and negotiating commercial agreements with third-party suppliers
• 8 - 12 years Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to advance contracting objectives and support business needs
• 8 - 12 years Experience in applying contracting best practices to improve efficiency and reduce legal and operational risk
• 8 - 12 years Experience in managing a various contract types, including professional services, technology, and data-related agreements
• 8 - 12 years Working knowledge of procurement-related policies and regulatory requirements, particularly within regulated…