Contract Associate (Entry Level)

R&D Partners; San Rafael (CA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance – PPO, HMO & HSA

401k plan

Employee Assistance Program

Long-term disability

Weekly payroll

Online timecard approval

Job summary

R&D Partners is hiring a Contracts Associate to support the Legal Department in drafting, negotiating, tracking, and managing a high volume of contracts. You will work with attorneys, GSP, and business partners, using templates and CLM to ensure compliant contract execution.

This 12-month contract is based in San Rafael, CA with a hybrid schedule (on-site Tuesday and Thursday). Recent graduates are welcome to apply; background in contracts is preferred.

Qualifications

• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent proofreading and editing abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Outstanding organization and time management; multi-tasking in fast-paced setting.
• Tech-savvy; quick learner of new systems and tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Experience as contracts administrator or contracts associate (preferred).
• Coursework in legal studies or experience at a law firm/in-house legal department (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Research past contracting relationships with suppliers/parties.
• Draft and negotiate NDAs, MSAs, amendments, scopes of work, and change orders.
• Use playbooks and templates to negotiate within set parameters.
• Track large volumes of contracts from draft to signature using CLM.
• Ensure compliance with contracting policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Legal, GSP, and business partners to review and execute contracts.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to address contracting needs.
• Escalate issues to in-house counsel when appropriate.
• Support department initiatives, templates, playbooks, training, and process improvements.
• Support cross-functional projects as assigned.

Job description

We are hiring a Contracts Associate to join our biotech client's Legal Department. This role offers an excellent opportunity for an organized, detail-oriented professional to gain hands-on experience supporting enterprise-wide contracting within a dynamic biotechnology company. The Contracts Associate will work closely with attorneys, Global Sourcing and Procurement (GSP), and business partners across the organization to draft, negotiate, track, and manage a high volume of contracts. Using established templates, playbooks, and procurement and contract management systems, the successful candidate will help facilitate efficient contract execution while ensuring compliance with Legal policies and procedures. This position is well-suited for candidates interested in pursuing law school/a legal career. Recent college graduates are eligible to apply.

This is a 12-month contract position based in San Rafael, CA. Hybrid schedule Tuesday and Thursday onsite.

Responsibilities

• Research prior contracting relationships with suppliers and other contracting parties.
• Draft and negotiate a variety of company agreements including Non-Disclosure Agreements, Master Service Agreements, Amendments, Scopes of Work, and Change Orders.
• Utilize Legal Department playbooks and approved guidance to negotiate contracts within established parameters.
• Monitor and track a large volume of contracts from draft to final signatures using the CLM.
• Ensure company-wide compliance with contracting policy and procedures.
• Serve as a liaison among Legal, Global Sourcing and Procurement (GSP), business partners, and external contracting parties to facilitate contract review, negotiation, and execution.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders to understand and respond to contracting needs.
• Exercise sound judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine action, including identifying issues and escalating matters to in-house counsel when appropriate.
• Support Legal Department initiatives, including maintaining templates and playbooks, training users on contract management processes, and improving operational efficiencies.
• Provide support for departmental projects and cross-functional initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to work onsite at least two days per week (currently Tuesdays and Thursdays), with occasional additional onsite days as needed.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proofreading and editing skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and timely with internal and external stakeholders including suppliers/partners, outside counsel, internal legal team, business partners, GSP, and other stakeholders; proactively communicate relevant issues and deadlines.
• Excellent organization and time management skills required; Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a heavy workload, and work under pressure.
• Strong technology aptitude and willingness to learn new systems, processes, and enterprise AI tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience as a contracts administrator or contracts associate.
• Coursework in legal studies or experience at a law firm or within an in-house legal department of a public company.

Pay

• $40.89-$46.47/hr

Why Choose R&D Partners?

As an employee, you have access to a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical insurance – PPO, HMO & HSA
• 401k plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long-term disability
• Weekly payroll
• Online timecard approval

R&D Partners is a global functional service provider and strategic staffing resource specializing in scientific, clinical research & engineering. We provide job opportunities within major pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies.

R&D Partners is an equal-opportunity employer.