Lead Contract Associate

Overview

This role involves overseeing complex, high-profile contracting activities as an individual contributor. You will partner closely with attorneys, senior business stakeholders, and management to drive contracting efficiency, mitigate risk, and ensure consistent application of contracting standards. The position also supports strategic business initiatives requiring advanced contracting expertise, including system implementations, acquisitions, and integration activities.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide advanced coaching and mentoring on drafting, review, negotiation strategy, and risk identification within approved standards.
• Review contracting work product for quality, consistency, and adherence to corporate contracting and compliance requirements.
• Assist management with onboarding, training materials, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Advanced Client Contract Management and Escalation

• Lead drafting, review, and negotiation of high-profile, complex, and non-standard client contracts using corporate templates and approved deviations.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex redlines, interpretation of approved language, and exceptional client requests.
• Independently manage client communications, including difficult negotiations, escalations, and time-sensitive issues.
• Partner with attorneys to prepare contracts and issues for legal review, incorporating legal guidance into revised drafts.
• Proactively identify risks and process inefficiencies and escalate to management with proposed solutions.

Legal and Business Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted contracting advisor to business teams, providing guidance on contract structure, process, and risk within established policies.
• Coordinate with the Law Department to ensure alignment on contracting positions, approvals, and compliance expectations.
• Support senior-level business initiatives requiring complex contracting support.

Contract Data Integrity and Reporting

• Oversee accuracy, completeness, and consistency of contract records in the contract management system.
• Develop and maintain operational dashboards, reports, and analytics supporting Legal and business stakeholders.
• Perform large-scale contract portfolio analysis and reconciliation projects.
• Generate reports related to:
  • Contract expirations
  • Renewals
  • Assumed and unassumed agreements
  • Contract terminations
  • Compliance requirements
  • Sales and business performance initiatives
• Monitor trends, exceptions, and recurring issues to inform management reporting and process improvements.
• Support annual reporting and compliance initiatives in coordination with management and Legal.

Bid Activity, M&A, and Special Projects

• Lead complex or high-risk bid responses and serve as escalation support for proposal preparation and negotiations.
• Coordinate cross-functional participation in RFPs, RFQs, and similar solicitations.
• Provide lead support on M&A and integration-related contract reviews, including identifying non-standard terms and drafting replacement or assignment agreements.
• Participate in other strategic projects as assigned by management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent with 5+ years relevant experience, or
• High School Diploma or GED with 7+ years relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ progressive contract management or contract administration experience, including complex agreements.
• Experience in genetics and genetic testing laboratory industries, laboratory testing, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, CRO, or life sciences industries.
• Advanced contract drafting and negotiation skills within established standards.
• Experience with representative agreements including:
  • Laboratory Services Agreements (LSAs)
  • Laboratory Services International Agreements (LSIs)
  • Laboratory Services Research Support Agreements (LSRSAs)
  • Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
  • Assignment Agreements
  • Termination Agreements
  • Electronic Health Record (EHR)/Interface Facilitation Agreements
  • Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Experience with: iCertis, Conga, Salesforce, JIRA, and DocuSign.
• Experience supporting CLM migrations and implementation projects.
• Experience with contract reporting, contract data governance, and compliance initiatives.
• Experience supporting post-acquisition integration projects.

Additional Job Standards

• Strong judgment, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to lead without authority and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $55,000–$87,500
• Job offers are based on skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, and internal equity and market data.

Benefits (for employees regularly scheduled to work)

• 20+ hours/week: Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(k), Paid Time Off (PTO) or Flexible Time Off (FTO), Tuition Reimbursement, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Less than 20 hours/week, Casual, Intern, Temporary: Eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan only.
• 7 on/7 off schedule: Eligible for all foregoing benefits except PTO or FTO.

Location

Remote