Senior Contract Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Develop and oversee VEC's commercial contracting operations, managing agreements from initial intake and negotiation through to execution and closure.

• Evaluate, draft, and negotiate contracts with clients, general contractors, subconsultants, and vendors, including amendments, NDAs, and data/security terms.

• Direct negotiations with legal or contracts teams from general contractors and clients to resolve contractual terms.

• Ensure subconsultant agreements are consistent with VEC's obligations to clients.

• Negotiate aspects such as indemnity, defense obligations, liability limits, insurance mandates, payment protections, intellectual property, and other contractual risks.

• Advise leadership on significant exceptions, risks, and trade-offs.

• Oversee approval processes, final versions, signature sequencing, and execution documentation.

• Guarantee that work commences under an executed agreement or an approved exception.

• Manage prequalifications, vendor registrations, and compliance questionnaires.

• Oversee contractual commitments, notifications, modifications, renewals, disputes, and closures.

• Create contract templates and a practical contract playbook.

• Educate project teams on contract standards and escalation procedures.

• Collaborate with the insurance broker and outside counsel, determining when expert input is required.

• Manage business insurance renewals, including applications, broker recommendations, officer approvals, and policy documentation.

• Report to the VP of Administration & Finance.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of seven years of experience in contract review and negotiation, with significant recent experience in architecture, engineering, construction consulting, or construction technology services.

• Direct experience in drafting redlines and negotiating professional services agreements and proprietary GC subcontract forms with client legal or contracts teams.

• Strong knowledge of professional services standards of care, indemnity and defense, liability limits, consequential damages, construction insurance, intellectual property, and payment protections.

• Experience in aligning subconsultant agreements with client obligations.

• Experience in creating or enhancing contract processes and execution controls.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word track changes and comparison tools.

• Experience with contract lifecycle management or document management platforms, as well as comparable intake, approval, and record-keeping systems.

• Proficiency with electronic signature platforms such as DocuSign or Adobe Acrobat Sign.

• Proficiency with prequalification and vendor registration platforms like ISNetworld, Avetta, or specific client portals.

• Working knowledge of Excel or Smartsheet.

• Sound independent judgment and the ability to discern when leadership or specialist advice is necessary.

• Ability to communicate risk positions clearly to non-contract professionals.

• Comfortable working as a senior individual contributor without direct reports initially.

• Willingness to provide training to project teams.

• Preferred: experience in coordinating business insurance renewals; familiarity with AIA and ConsensusDocs forms; experience with prequalification platforms, data and security terms, or international service delivery; JD, paralegal training, or certification in contract management.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary package.

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Flexible work hours and remote work options.

• A dynamic and inclusive work environment.