Contract Specialist

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 97,800 - 133,455; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Generous PTO

Incentive plans

Wellness programs

Paid Volunteer Time Off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is seeking a skilled contracts attorney/paralegal to draft, review, negotiate, and interpret contracts across vendor, supplier, finance, and real estate areas. You will develop tools, templates, and training for contract functions, ensuring compliance with policy and risk management.

The role requires 5–7 years of direct contract experience, plus familiarity with healthcare industry regulations and business associate agreements.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Law preferred or relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Prior paralegal experience or in-house legal experience highly desirable.
• Minimum 5 - 7 years direct experience in negotiating and drafting contracts.
• Experience in IT licensing, maintenance and support services, finance, insurance, treasury, and leasing transactions; Healthcare industry, insurance company regulation, M&A, corporate governance, and subsidiary maintenance.
• Juris Doctor or paralegal certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and build consensus on template agreements and contract process tools.
• Draft, review, negotiate and build consensus on commercial contracts.
• Advise clients and management of potential risks and opportunities related to contract negotiations.
• Train and advise clients, management and other attorneys on contract best practices and procedures.
• Draft, review, and negotiate Business Associate Agreements; Partner with the business units to develop and consistently execute Business Associate Agreements.
• Report on the overall performance of Business Associate Agreements and recommend operational efficiency opportunities.
• Support the Privacy space as required; including privacy incident response and the creation of the data ethics program.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract negotiation

Paralegal experience

In-house legal

IT licensing

Finance

Insurance industry

Corporate governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Admin/Law

Juris Doctor or paralegal certification

Job description

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey empowers our members to achieve their best health. For over 90 years, we have been New Jersey’s health solutions leader driving innovations that improve health care quality, affordability, and member experience. Our members are our neighbors, our friends, and our families. It is this understanding that drives us to better serve and care for the 3.5 million people who place their trust in us. We pride ourselves on our best-in-class employees and strive to maintain an innovative and inclusive environment that allows them to thrive. When our employees bring their best and succeed, the Company succeeds.

About The Role

Responsible for developing, negotiating, drafting and interpreting contracts of varying scope and complexity as well as implement related processes and procedures. In accordance with corporate policies, execute various vendor, supplier, finance, and real estate contractual agreements. Develop tools and templates, and provide advice and training for other contract functions.

What You\'ll Do

• Draft, review and build consensus on template agreements and contract process tools.
• Draft, review, negotiate and build consensus on commercial contracts.
• Advise clients and management of potential risks and opportunities related to contract negotiations.
• Train and advise clients, management and other attorneys on contract best practices and procedures.
• Draft, review, and negotiate Business Associate Agreements; Partner with the business units to develop and consistently execute Business Associate Agreements.
• Report on the overall performance of Business Associate Agreements and recommend operational efficiency opportunities.
• Support the Privacy space as required; including privacy incident response and the creation of the data ethics program.

Education/Experience

What You Bring

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Law preferred or relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Prior paralegal experience or in-house legal experience highly desirable.
• Minimum 5 - 7 years direct experience in negotiating and drafting contracts.
• Experience in the following areas, a plus: IT licensing, maintenance and support services, finance, insurance, treasury, and leasing transactions; Healthcare industry, insurance company regulation, M&A, corporate governance, and subsidiary maintenance.

Additional Licensing, Certifications, Registrations

• Juris Doctor or paralegal certification a plus.

Why Horizon?

At Horizon, you’ll do meaningful work that directly improves lives—while being supported by a mission‑driven organization that values expertise, collaboration, and growth. We believe that when our people thrive, our communities do too. If you are passionate about making an impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Salary Range

$97,800 - $133,455

This compensation range is specific to the job level and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: education, experience, licensure, certifications, geographic location, and internal equity. This range has been created in good faith based on information known to Horizon at the time of posting. Compensation decisions are dependent on the circumstances of each case. Horizon also provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes:

• Comprehensive health benefits (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Retirement Plans
• Generous PTO
• Incentive Plans
• Wellness Programs
• Paid Volunteer Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement

Disclaimer

Horizon BCBSNJ employees must live in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut or Delaware. This job summary has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by colleagues within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of colleagues assigned to this job.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability and any other protected class as required by federal, state or local law. Horizon will consider reasonable accommodation requests as part of the recruiting and hiring process.