Contracts Lawyer

Overview

This role supports contracting efforts within the organization’s Business Operation Solutions (BOS) group. Responsibilities combine legal contract drafting/redlining with project and stakeholder coordination to help review vendor contracts, support negotiations, and ensure adherence to contract administration processes for client engagements.

The position operates in a matrix structure, primarily reporting to a Business Unit Client Lead for day-to-day work allocation, with additional support from a Contracts Team for legal oversight, coverage, and training.

Responsibilities

• Apply contract playbook standards to redline and edit contract language, incorporating client-defined standards, and propose alternate terms related to the services and products in the procurement engagement.
• Identify term-and-condition options and/or carve-out strategies to resolve contract negotiation roadblocks while limiting risk.
• Liaise with the client’s in-house legal counsel during review and final approval of initial contracts and renewals.
• Coordinate with client leads and department leaders on upcoming contract renewals.
• Facilitate the contract negotiation process and serve as a liaison between internal and external stakeholders, including identifying points of escalation.
• Communicate pertinent contractual terms and conditions to appropriate end users and stakeholders.
• Manage a pipeline of work by tracking review status, meeting established KPIs, providing proactive updates to external stakeholders and internal client leads, and conducting timely follow-ups.
• Support contract administration by updating contract status and newly signed documents in the organization’s system.
• Serve as a key point of contact for questions or needs regarding assigned contracts.
• Develop, update, and administer standard agreement templates and related playbooks.
• Support vendor governance processes, including on/off boarding, risk management, and relationship management.
• Facilitate and attend proactive planning and contract management meetings with key stakeholders.
• Perform other contracts-related duties as necessary.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (JD) and a license to practice law in any US State.
• 4+ years of work experience in contract development, redlining, legal terms review, negotiations, and contract management.
• Strong familiarity with Professional Services Agreements, Software as a Service Agreements, and software license agreements, including related contract provisions.
• Working knowledge of emerging AI-related contract terms, including applicable data usage, model training, output ownership, risk allocation, audit rights, and regulatory compliance.
• Law firm procurement background is preferable but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to interpret complex policies and legal language and assess business risk, including developing a risk mitigation approach.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively communicate (orally and in writing) with managers, internal clients, vendors, colleagues, and support staff.
• Demonstrated proactivity and ownership of daily responsibilities and projects, including contract administration.
• Effective time management, prioritization, and organizational skills in a multitasked environment.
• Extremely responsive, customer-focused approach with appropriate follow-up and follow-through.
• Commitment to superior quality and accuracy.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to change.
• Working knowledge of data privacy and data security laws (such as GDPR) and experience reviewing and negotiating related contractual language is preferable.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation and benefits details were not provided in the job posting.

Location

• Fully remote role with little to no travel.
• Can sit anywhere across the United States.
• Ideal candidate is located in Chicago and can work hybrid from the Chicago headquarters.