Lead Contract Associate

Guidehouse Inc.; Chennai; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidehouse India's Legal Counsel team is seeking a skilled professional to manage contract administration, review and negotiate NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, and DPAs, and support government contracting activities. The role involves risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with business units across locations in Chennai, Trivandrum, and Gurugram.

You will conduct initial contract redlining, respond to client questionnaires, and assist with FOIA requests while leveraging systems like

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; 35+ years of experience in contracts administration, legal operations, procurement, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Manage COI requests, liaise with brokers and stakeholders.
• Review and redline NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, TPAs, DPAs and other contracts.
• Support RFP reviews, FOIA responses, and government contracting tasks.
• Conduct legal/regulatory research and summarize findings.
• Generate reports from contract lifecycle management systems.

Skills

Contract review

Negotiation

Legal research

Risk assessment

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SOPs

ERP systems

SalesHub

Costpoint

Evisort

Job description

Job Family : Legal Counsel (India) Travel Required : Up to 10% Clearance Required : None

What You Will Do :

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration & Business Operations

• Manage certificate of insurance (COI) request processing, and coordination with insurance brokers and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare initial responses to client questionnaires, due diligence requests, and administrative forms.
• Support business teams by responding to day-to-day contracting, compliance, and process-related inquiries.

Contract Review, Negotiation & Compliance

• Analyze contract terms, identify business and legal implications, and ensure compliance with Guidehouse policies, procedures, and applicable legal requirements.
• Provide guidance to business teams regarding contractual obligations, requirements, and risk considerations.
• Perform initial review and redlining for Non Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Teaming Agreements (TAs), Third-Party Agreements (TPAs), Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs) and other low-risk/low-value contracts and statements of work, escalating legal issues as appropriate. Conduct initial negotiations with client procurement representatives for these agreements.
• Perform initial review and redlining of client contracts, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statement of Works (SOWs), Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), and other engagement documents.
• Draft responses to opposing party contract redlines and support contract negotiations under attorney supervision.

Proposal & Government Contracting Support

• Conduct initial review of Request for Proposals (RFPs) and related solicitation documents.
• Assist with drafting and reviewing contractual responses and exceptions during the proposal process.
• Prepare initial drafts of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses and related government-request documentation.

Legal Research & Risk Management

• Conduct legal and regulatory research at the direction of attorneys and summarize findings.
• Assist in identifying contractual, compliance, and operational risks and support attorneys in developing appropriate mitigation strategies.

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain advanced proficiency in contract lifecycle management and business systems, including SalesHub, and Costpoint.
• Generate, analyze, and customize standard and ad hoc reports to support legal, operational, and business needs.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to troubleshoot and resolve system-related issues and process challenges.

What You Will Need :

• Bachelor's degree and 35+ years of experience in contracts administration, legal operations, procurement, paralegal services, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing, analyzing, and negotiating commercial agreements, including NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, Teaming Agreements, and other client-facing contracts.
• Ability to identify contractual risks, interpret legal and business implications, and communicate practical recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Experience supporting proposal and contracting activities, including RFP reviews, client questionnaires, conflict of interest reviews, and compliance-related requests.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize information and support attorneys on legal and regulatory matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to conduct initial contract negotiations with clients and procurement representatives.
• Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment regarding escalation of legal, commercial, and compliance issues.

What Would Be Nice To Have :

• Fluent in German
• Advanced Degree
• Strong understanding of commercial contracting principles and contract lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze contractual language and communicate risks and recommendations effectively.Experience supporting government and commercial contracting environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Proficiency with contract management and ERP systems, including Evisort, SalesHub, and Costpoint.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, client-service environment.

About Guidehouse India

At Guidehouse India, we're redefining what's possible by creating opportunities that change lives. Guidehouse is a global professional services firm that delivers advisory, technology, and managed services to clients across both the commercial and public sectors. Our teams turn bold ideas into solutions that transform industries, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful impact worldwide.Across our Chennai, Trivandrum, and Gurugram locations, you'll find opportunities where your passion and curiosity help shape what comes next. With cutting edge benefits, innovative learning and development programs, and