Contracts Manager

Tufts University; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University is seeking a Contract Manager to lead the drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of complex procurement agreements across multiple spend categories including Capital Projects, IT, and Research services.

You will collaborate with faculty and staff, engage with OGC and privacy/risk teams, and maintain templates and clause libraries to ensure compliant contracting and efficient processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• 7+ years relevant contracting experience across multiple spend categories.
• Strong analytical, project management, and negotiation skills.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contract language (NDAs, PSAs, MSAs, GSAs, CSAs, BAAs, SOWs).
• Experience reviewing business and legal terms across diverse spend categories including IT, facilities, research, and academic services.
• Ability to assess risk and educate stakeholders during supplier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle process for high complexity procurement agreements.
• Triaging contract requests from university stakeholders and drafting/reviewing contracts.
• Support the sourcing team by guiding negotiations and providing alternative language.
• Use contract lifecycle management tools such as Jaggaer and DocuSign.
• Coordinate with OGC, Data Privacy, Risk Office, and other partners as needed.
• Maintain standard contracting templates and clause libraries.
• Coordinate with procurement on strategic sourcing and competitive bids.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Project management

Contract drafting/review

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Procurement tools

Team player

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Juris Doctor/JD or CPCM

Tools

Jaggaer Contracts

Docusign

eRequisitions

Spend Analysis

Job description

Overview

The Central Procurement Department is responsible for supplier selection, contract negotiations, vendor management, and requisition approval at Tufts University.

What You'll Do

The Contract Manager is responsible for working with stakeholders (faculty and staff) in contract drafting, review and negotiating with suppliers across a broad range of spend categories, including but not limited to: Capital Projects (Construction) and Facilities Management (MRO supplies, Custodial, Groundskeeping, Security, Bus Transportation, Utilities, Fleet, etc.); IT and Professional Services (HR, Marketing, Travel, Finance, Legal, Events, etc.); Research and Academic Services (Research Consultants, Scientific & Lab Equipment and Supplies, Library, Print, etc.).

• Manage the lifecycle process for high complexity procurement agreements, including:
  • Triaging contract requests from university stakeholders
  • Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and routing for signature contracts that are either on Tufts boilerplate template or supplier boilerplate, in collaboration with stakeholders and cross functional business partners
  • Supporting the sourcing team by providing guidance, support in negotiations, providing alternate language, and facilitating reviews with cross functional partners
• Using contract lifecycle management and other supporting SaaS-based technologies, including Jaggaer and Docusign, to drive improved outcomes.
• Coordinating additional legal review of contracts with cross functional business partners such as the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Data Privacy, Risk Office etc., as needed.
• Maintaining the University's standard contracting templates and clause libraries (in conjunction with OGC), as well as interfacing with suppliers and campus schools, colleges, and departments.
• Coordinating with procurement team members, including category management, on strategic sourcing initiatives, including category planning, contacting as part of a competitive bid process, or future bid opportunities based on new contract requests and/or contract expirations.
• Reviewing and approving eReqs and Contract requests, based on procurement process/policy (competitive bids, sole source justification etc.) and contract playbook for assigned spend categories.
• May be required to manage and/or oversee the work of one or more contracts specialists, as requested.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's Degree
• At least 7+ years relevant experience/expertise in professional contracting in several spend categories.
• The ideal candidate will be an influencer with strong analytical, project management, and negotiations skills.
• Expertise in drafting, review, editing, and negotiation of contract language (terms and conditions), both commercial and legal, is essential spanning procurement contracts (NDAs, PSAs, MSAs, GSAs, CSAs, BAAs, SOWs, etc).
• Prior experience drafting and negotiating business and legal terms across a diverse number of spend categories support indirect spend, including academic, athletics, construction, clinical, facilities, technology, and research. These would include, but are not limited to, technology related hardware and software, enterprise SaaS, research related equipment and consumables, professional services, marketing and advertising, staffing and placement services, design and construction, facilities management, and public safety.
• Ability to understand and assess risk and educate stakeholders while negotiating with suppliers.
• Highly motivated, self-starter, detail-oriented, excellent prioritization, cross functional player
• Team player with excellent interpersonal, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills
• Proficient in procurement tools such as eRequisitions, Spend Analysis, and Contracts
• Advanced user of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with contract management technology (e.g. Jaggaer Contracts, Docusign), including the development of in-application clause libraries.
• Proficiency with using artificial intelligence engines to automate contracting tasks, such as drafting agreements, tracking changes and version control, and suggesting alternative clauses.
• Experience in a relevant industry, such as higher education or not-for-profit environments.
• Professional contracting certification and/or credentials (e.g. Juris Doctor/JD, CPCM certification).

Pay Range

Minimum $108,200.00, Midpoint $135,300.00, Maximum $162,400.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.