Contracts Manager

We are searching for a Contracts Manager that will who will lead and optimize the Allen Institute's contracts program, oversee the full contract lifecycle, administer the contract lifecycle management platform, and draft and negotiate a wide range of research and commercial agreements. This role will also improve contracting processes through technology and AI, maintain templates and playbooks, establish service standards, and lead contract specialists in delivering responsive, high-quality support to stakeholders across the Institute.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the point of contact and subject matter expert for the Contracts Program
• Organize and manage the Contracts Program for optimal performance for the Institute
• Administer a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform, including maintaining the contracts playbook, form libraries, running reports, and optimizing automated workflows and templates
• Draft, maintain, and regularly update all related contract program documentation, including processes, templates, playbooks, and other materials
• Identify and implement process improvements by leveraging technology and AI tools that enable scalable and efficient contract management
• Set and monitor SLAs for contracting activities
• Draft and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, including collaborative research agreements, services agreements, and consulting agreements
• Identify and collaborate with Legal team members to share best practices, align and document contract drafting, negotiation and risk management strategies
• Manage and lead a team of contract specialists to provide excellent service to internal and external stakeholders and achieve Contracts Program and Legal Team goals

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience and education
• Minimum 6 years• experience managing contracts for a small to mid-size organization
• Experience managing a contracts lifecycle management platform
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional projects

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and 6+ years• experience in contract program management
• Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), or similar certification
• In-house experience, nonprofit experience, and/or biotech experience
• Experience implementing and administrating Contract Lifecycle Management systems
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 products including SharePoint; Adobe; Malbek
• Uses independent judgment and advanced experience to plan and prioritize work that involves difficult problems and/or decisions; understands when to elevate potentially controversial matters and/or matters with material implications to attorneys for guidance and assistance
• Advanced knowledge of contract law principles and contract administration practices
• Ability to train and mentor others on contracts, the contracts process, and related work both within and outside the legal department
• Consistently exhibits strong project management and organizational abilities
• Operates under minimal supervision with significant independent judgment
• Work product is consistently complete and accurate; consistently ensures that the work product of others that is incorporated is correct and of high quality
• Holds a strong commitment to exceeding expectations on client service and work product; often looks beyond requirements of own job and offers suggestions for improvements; inspires others to be successful
• Has strong sense of urgency about solving problems and consistently gets work done timely
• Utilizes strengths of team members to achieve optimal performance; is flexible and can work with a wide variety of people on different tasks
• Consistently and effectively uses communication techniques appropriate to the person or audience; communicates with clients and third parties even when the answer is not known

Work Environment

• Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment;
• Stooping, bending, crouching

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Annualized Salary Range

$112,950 - $153,725 *

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute's Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute's 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute's benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits .