Contracts Manager, Impact Finance & Markets

USA The Nature Conservancy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

401(k) with 8% employer match

Parental leave

Accrued paid time off

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead the contract lifecycle across the Impact Finance & Markets division. The role requires strong contracting experience, cross-functional collaboration, and meticulous attention to detail to improve systems and processes.

Remote, hybrid, or in-person work options are available, with coordination across time zones and departments. This position offers relocation and immigration sponsorship not available, and reports to the Deputy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years' experience or equivalent combination.
• Previous contracting experience, coursework, or dedicated training.
• Experience with organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience managing and implementing multiple projects.
• Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results.
• Experience with business process analysis and/or improvement.
• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full agreement lifecycle: intake, drafting, review, approvals, execution, tracking, deliverables, amendments, and close-out.
• Provide guidance to project managers and ensure consistency and compliance.
• Develop guidance and training; maintain records and reporting; improve workflows and tools.
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Purchasing, Information Security, Records Management, and others.
• Maintain Delegation of Authority records and act as Records Management Coordinator.

Skills

Contract management experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Business writing

Time management

Confidential information handling

Project management

Process improvement

Editing and proofreading

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Impact Finance & Markets Division at The Nature Conservancy provides technical and strategic leadership to create transformational impact with the private sector by translating the value of nature and conservation approaches into actionable, science-based strategies that can help solve societal challenges. The Contracts Manager will serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for contractual agreements across Impact Finance & Markets (IFM). As part of the IFM operations team, the position will manage the full agreement lifecycle, including intake, pre-contract requirements, drafting, review, approvals, execution, tracking, deliverables, amendments, and close-out. The Contracts Manager will provide responsive guidance to project managers, strengthen consistency and compliance, and improve the systems, tools, and resources used to manage IFM agreements. This position may be based in any country with an established office in time zones equivalent to U.S. Eastern, Central, Mountain, or Pacific time zones. The Contracts Manager may work remote, hybrid, or in person. They will report to the Deputy Director, Impact Finance and Markets. Relocation assistance and immigration sponsorship are not available for this position.

We’re Looking for You:

The Contracts Manager will support IFM’s priorities by developing and implementing an efficient, consistent, and well-controlled money-out and money-in contracts function. They will apply extensive knowledge of TNC policies, procedures, templates, systems, and approval requirements; advise staff on agreement-related questions; identify risks and process gaps; and coordinate with Legal, Finance, Purchasing, Information Security, Records Management, and other subject matter experts. The position will develop guidance and training, maintain reliable records and reporting, and develop and implement practical improvements to workflows, systems, and tools. The Contracts Manager will obtain and maintain certification as a TNC Certified Contracts Specialist (CSS) and obtain training related to money-in contractual and private grant agreements. In the event IFM performs work under a public award, the Contract Manager will complete public awards training. The Contracts Manager, in partnership with project managers, will coordinate, and as appropriate, draft, review, negotiate, process, execute, amend, renew and close out contractual agreements with external parties. The Contracts Manager will serve as IFM’s Business Unit Records Management Coordinator and maintain IFM’s Delegation of Authority records. The Contracts Manager may perform other duties as necessary related to operations. They will approach all work with a spirit of collaboration and respect for colleagues and partners across geographies and cultures.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Act independently within broad program goals and under established guidelines to prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and exercise independent judgment based on analysis and experience to identify and solve problems
• Develop and implement new initiatives or the improvement of existing procedures that will ensure business unit and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved
• Ensure programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance
• Decisions may bind the organization financially or legally
• Collaborate with Finance staff on managing private awards
• Collaborate, as needed, with Grants Specialists on managing public awards
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information
• Manage projects with several variables - set realistic deadlines, manage a timeline, and ensure accountability
• Work across functions, geographies, and organizational levels and adapt guidance to varied contracting contexts
• Financial responsibility may include purchasing, processing invoices, and assisting with budget preparation or tracking
• May participate in complex negotiations
• Must be independent and self-motivated with the ability to participate effectively in a remote team environment
• Be willing to work longer hours as needed
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain

What You’ll Bring

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years' experience or equivalent combination; Previous contracting experience, coursework, or dedicated training; Experience with organizational skills and attention to detail; Experience managing and implementing multiple projects; Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results; Experience with business process analysis and/or improvement; Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading; Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines; Experience working with cross-functional teams; and Experience handling confidential information.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated
• Ability to analyze information for the purpose of preparing reports, coordinating activities, and solving problems
• Ability to manage and implement complex processes
• Ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results
• Experience in supporting Financial and/or Legal processes

Salary Information

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $80,000 – $104,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience.

What We Bring

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including:

• health care benefits
• flexible spending accounts
• a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
• parental leave
• accrued paid time off
• life insurance
• disability coverage
• employee assistance program
• other life and work well-being benefits

Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here. We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ. Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture.

Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.