Contract Specialist

Horizon Blue; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 97,800 - 133,455; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Generous PTO

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is seeking a Contract Specialist in Newark, hybrid. The role focuses on developing, negotiating, drafting, and interpreting contracts across vendor, finance, real estate, and business associate agreements.

You will advise clients and management on contract risks, train teams on best practices, and partner with business units to ensure consistent contract execution. A JD or paralegal certification is a plus, with 5–7 years of experience in contracting.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience: High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Law preferred or relevant experience.
• Minimum 5 - 7 years direct experience in negotiating and drafting contracts.
• Experience in IT licensing, finance, insurance, and healthcare sectors is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and build consensus on template agreements and contract tools.
• Draft, review, negotiate and build consensus on commercial contracts.
• Advise clients and management on risks and opportunities in contract negotiations.
• Train and advise clients and attorneys on contract best practices and procedures.
• Draft and negotiate Business Associate Agreements and report on their performance.
• Support privacy space including incident response and data ethics program.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract drafting

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor degree in Business Administration or Law preferred

Juris Doctor or paralegal certification

Relevant experience in lieu of degree

Job description

## Contract SpecialistApplylocations: Newark, NJ - Hybridtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: 2026-0215**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.**What You Bring**## Education/Experience:* 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 - $133,455This 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.