Contract Manager

Stronghold Companies; La Porte (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Stronghold is seeking a Contract Manager with a solid legal or contracts foundation to review MSAs, subcontracts, and NDAs, ensuring compliance with contracting guidelines. You will assess risks, draft redlines, and assist with negotiations across customers, vendors, and third parties.

The role emphasizes critical thinking, coachability, and the ability to adapt to changing business needs while maintaining confidentiality and collaborating with multiple internal departments.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Paralegal certificate, degree in Legal Studies, bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.
• Approximately 3 – 5 years of experience in a legal, paralegal, contract administration, contract management, procurement, or similar professional environment preferred.
• Experience supporting attorneys, an in-house Legal Department, or a contracts function is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review Master Service Agreements (MSAs), subcontracts, purchase orders, amendments, non-disclosure agreements, and other commercial and legal documents for compliance with established company and parent company contracting guidelines.
• Analyze contractual terms and conditions to identify legal, contractual, and business risks and determine whether provisions comply with established contracting positions.
• Draft, revise, and prepare redlines of agreements in accordance with Legal Department guidelines and approved risk positions.
• Assist with contract negotiations with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and other third parties.
• Coordinate with Operations, Procurement, Risk Management, Finance, Accounting, and other internal departments, as appropriate, during the contract review and approval process.
• Maintain organized and accurate contract records and assist with contract administration and document management.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Adaptability

Teamwork

Coachability

Learning Agility

Judgment

Attention to Detail

Communication

Initiative

Computer/Software Skills

Confidentiality

Leadership

Interpersonal

Time Management

Education

Paralegal certificate, degree in Legal Studies, bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

The successful candidate will have a strong legal or contracts foundation but does not need to enter the position as an expert in every area of commercial contracting. We are seeking an individual who demonstrates strong critical-thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, good judgment, attention to detail, and a genuine willingness to learn.

The ideal candidate is comfortable asking questions, receptive to coaching and feedback, and capable of learning and consistently applying established contracting guidelines and risk positions. This individual should also be flexible and team-oriented, recognizing that priorities within a Legal Department can change and that supporting the broader team may occasionally require taking on responsibilities outside of traditional contract review.

Success in this position will depend not only on contract knowledge, but also on the individual's ability to think critically, collaborate with others, adapt to changing business needs, and continue developing their contractual and legal knowledge over time.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Review Master Service Agreements (MSAs), subcontracts, purchase orders, amendments, non-disclosure agreements, and other commercial and legal documents for compliance with established company and parent company contracting guidelines.
2. Analyze contractual terms and conditions to identify legal, contractual, and business risks and determine whether provisions comply with established contracting positions.
3. Draft, revise, and prepare redlines of agreements in accordance with Legal Department guidelines and approved risk positions.
4. Assist with contract negotiations with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and other third parties.
5. Identify contractual provisions that require additional review, approval, or escalation to Legal Department leadership or other appropriate stakeholders.
6. Apply critical thinking and sound judgment when evaluating contractual language, including understanding how individual provisions may affect the company’s overall rights, obligations, and risk exposure.
7. Recognize and distinguish legal and contractual issues from commercial or operational matters requiring input or approval of the appropriate business stakeholders.
8. Communicate contract issues, proposed revisions, outstanding items, and potential risks clearly and effectively to Legal Department team members and internal business stakeholders.
9. Coordinate with Operations, Procurement, Risk Management, Finance, Accounting, and other internal departments, as appropriate, during the contract review and approval process.
10. Assist with monitoring contracts, amendments, renewals, expirations, and other contractual requirements as needed.
11. Maintain organized and accurate contract records and assist with contract administration and document management.
12. Conduct research regarding contractual, legal, regulatory, or business matters as requested.
13. Assist Legal Department leadership and other team members with contract-related questions, issue resolution, and risk mitigation.
14. Manage multiple contract reviews, projects, and deadlines while appropriately prioritizing matters based on business needs and urgency.
15. Adapt to changing priorities and provide support on matters outside the routine contract review when Legal Department or business needs require additional assistance.
16. Participate in Legal Department initiatives, process improvements, and other projects designed to improve contracting practices, efficiency, and compliance.
17. Perform special projects and assignments as requested by Legal Department leadership.
18. Leveraging business software, cloud-based platforms, AI tools, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, organization, communication, and workflow.
19. Maintaining the highest level of confidentiality, professionalism, discretion, and integrity in all matters.

Competencies

1. Critical Thinking
2. Adaptability
3. Teamwork
4. Coachability
5. Learning Agility
6. Judgment
7. Attention to Detail
8. Communication
9. Initiative
10. Computer/Software Skills
11. Confidentiality with the highest level of discretion
12. Leadership
13. Interpersonal
14. Time Management

Supervisory Responsibility

This position may have some supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of the job, a Contract Manager is occasionally required to bend, stoop, walk, climb, squat, reach, kneel, push/pull, stand, sit and lift up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Typical days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

High School diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Paralegal certificate, degree in Legal Studies, bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.
2. Approximately 3 – 5 years of experience in a legal, paralegal, contract administration, contract management, procurement, or similar professional environment preferred.
3. Prior experience reviewing, drafting, or working with commercial agreements is preferred.
4. Experience with Master Service Agreements, subcontracts, purchase orders, or other commercial agreements is a plus but it not required for a candidate with a strong legal foundation and demonstrated ability to learn.
5. Experience supporting attorneys, an in-house Legal Department, or a contracts function is preferred.

Other Duties

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice that are job-related and consistent with business necessity.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Stronghold is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Stronghold is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local laws.