Manager, Operations

As our very first full-time in-house legal hire, the Manager, Contract Operations role will lead our commercial contracts motion, providing strategic and operational cross-functional support. This role goes far beyond contract review — it’s about re-designing how contracting happens at Coursedog, using cutting-edge AI technology and systems, process design, and change leadership to create scalable and intelligent systems. This fully remote role reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is open to candidates located anywhere in the continental US.

This role offers a competitive base salary ranging from $120,000–$130,000
, depending on experience. The position includes a performance-based variable compensation plan, bringing the total on-target earnings (OTE) to $138,000–$145,000 when goals are met.

Coursedog is building a next-generation Operating System for Higher Education. Founded by former Columbia University students, Coursedog is a high-growth SaaS company focused on its mission to break down barriers to opportunity for student. With our recent partnership with JMI Equity and with over 150+ customers, we firmly believe our platform is best situated to improve efficiencies and student outcomes in Higher Education.

• Own Coursedog’s commercial contracting process end-to-end, while driving AI-focused transformation across contract operations.
• Define and execute the long-term vision for contract management and operations, aligning process excellence, technology, and stakeholder experience.
• Build contract strategy: create templates, playbooks, and scalable negotiation processes that streamline operations and reduce risk.
• Establish legal infrastructure with a focus on AI: document management, intake systems, reporting, and processes to scale with the business.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts & other agreements with employees, customers, vendors, & channel partners.
• Translate complex contract requirements into clear, actionable guidance for executives, teams, and customers.
• Drive change management initiatives that reshape how Coursedog teams engage with contracts.
• Provide training and develop resources in support of our sales and other cross-functional teams.
• Define smart risk taking principles that balance consistency and speed, ensuring contracts move through review and approval quickly while still protecting the company.
• Identify, pilot, and integrate emerging technologies that automate low-risk contracts, augment legal decision-making, and ensure Coursedog is always on the leading edge of contracting innovation.
• Partner with outside counsel on specialized or complex commercial legal matters.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 4+ years experience in a contract management, legal operations or paralegal capacity at a fast-paced tech or SaaS company.
• Deep commercial contracts experience managing enterprise SaaS agreements, MSAs, partnership agreements, and vendor contracts.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: self-starting, and comfortable working in a highly dynamic environment.
• Hyper-responsive, collaborative, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and service-oriented attitude.
• Team player who takes initiative and demonstrates curiosity about how our company and business works.
• A curious go-getter with strong judgment, highly tuned organizational skills, and a positive attitude would excel in this role.
• Process-oriented: builds systems, intake processes, and reporting to support business.
• Strong business judgment: delivers pragmatic, risk-balanced guidance that enables growth.
• Ability to think creatively, function independently and work proactively on new challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to work directly with customer counsel.
• The ideal candidate is process-oriented, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can juggle competing priorities.
• Ability to prioritize, drive, and respond to multiple competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• De…