Global Contracting Transformation Lead

Schneider Electric; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 169,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision insurance

Basic life insurance

Paid time off 20 days

Job summary

Schneider Electric is seeking a Head of Global Contracting in the United States to lead a scalable, digitally enabled contracting function that accelerates growth while managing risk. The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery across regions and deal types.

You will define a modern operating model, simplify processes, implement CLM and AI tools, and build a high‑performing global team with governance and measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in commercial contracting, contract management, deal support, legal operations, commercial operations or a closely related discipline.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity, with responsibility for global or multi‑region teams and complex transformation programs.
• Authoritative command of commercial contract structures, negotiation strategies, contracting policy, operational quality control and risk‑based decision‑making.
• Proven ability to engage and negotiate at executive level with internal leaders, customers and external partners.
• Strong track record of influencing across a global matrix and creating alignment among Sales, Legal, Finance, Operations and other specialist functions.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear decisions, practical guidance and executive recommendations.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Finance, Operations or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and scale the global contracting organization, establishing clear accountability for service, quality, responsiveness and commercial outcomes.
• Own day‑to‑day contracting delivery across regions, balancing capacity against business demand and go‑to‑market priorities.
• Implement a robust KPI and SLA framework covering cycle time, throughput, backlog, quality, stakeholder experience, self‑service adoption and productivity.
• Establish operating rhythms, performance reviews and escalation pathways that improve transparency, execution discipline and timely decision‑making.
• Build a flexible delivery model that combines global consistency with appropriate regional and offer‑specific expertise.
• Define and execute the strategy and roadmap for a modern, scalable and service‑centric contracting function.
• Simplify the end‑to‑end contract lifecycle, reducing unnecessary handoffs, rework and approval friction while preserving appropriate controls.
• Architect and maintain a unified commercial contracting framework, including policies, templates, fallback positions, negotiation playbooks, guidance and standard operating procedures.
• Design differentiated service pathways for routine, strategic, complex and higher‑risk agreements, including appropriate self‑service and low‑touch models.
• Drive standardization across the business and create disciplined mechanisms for exceptions, escalation and continuous improvement.
• Partner with senior Sales and business leaders to align contracting capacity and capabilities with growth priorities, pipeline demand and go‑to‑market activity.
• Enable earlier contracting engagement on strategic opportunities and ensure resources are deployed where they create the greatest commercial value.
• Translate contractual and risk considerations into practical, business‑friendly options that support timely customer decisions and sustainable deal outcomes.
• Use contracting insights to identify recurring sources of delay, improve negotiation positions and strengthen proposal and deal strategy.
• Serve as the central operational liaison between business leaders, Commercial Operations and Legal on contracting delivery, policy interpretation and operating‑model effectiveness.
• Partner with Legal to convert complex legal requirements into clear guardrails, playbooks and decision frameworks that business teams can apply consistently.
• Collaborate with Finance, Tax, Risk, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and other subject‑matter experts to support well‑informed commercial decisions.
• Promote integrity, accountability and responsible risk-taking in accordance with Schneider Electric policies and the Trust Charter.
• Lead the organizational adoption and everyday use of approved contracting technologies, workflow automation, CLM capabilities and AI‑enabled tools.
• Prioritize use cases that reduce manual review, improve consistency, accelerate turnaround and strengthen data integrity.
• Establish reliable operational reporting and dashboards that support capacity planning, performance management and executive decision‑making.
• Build the foundation for contract intelligence and knowledge management, enabling the business to learn from negotiated positions, obligations, commercial entitlements and renewal risks.
• Ensure technology change is accompanied by practical process redesign, user adoption, governance and measurable business outcomes.
• Lead a multi‑tiered global organization and develop leaders capable of managing both operational performance and transformation.
• Define capabilities, roles and career paths required for the future contracting function.
• Coach the team in executive‑level negotiation, commercial judgment, stakeholder management and disciplined risk assessment.
• Create a culture of inclusion, mastery, curiosity, teamwork, action and ownership.

Skills

Commercial contracting

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Finance, Operations or related field

Job description

Schneider Electric is seeking a Head of Global Contracting in the United States to lead a scalable, digitally enabled contracting function that accelerates growth while managing risk. The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery across regions and deal types.

You will define a modern operating model, simplify processes, implement CLM and AI tools, and build a high‑performing global team with governance and measurable outcomes.