Head of Global Contracting

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

Role Summary

The Head of Global Contracting will lead the evolution of Sustainability Business contracting into a scalable, digitally enabled and service-centric global function that accelerates commercial growth while appropriately managing contractual and commercial risk. The role combines operational leadership with a clear transformation mandate: simplify the contracting experience, improve cycle times, strengthen commercial alignment, and use data, automation and AI to increase quality, consistency and scale.

The role requires a hands‑on executive who can sustain day‑to‑day delivery while redesigning how contracting supports the business across regions, offers and deal types.

Key Impacts to Deliver

• Faster and more predictable contract cycle times, supported by transparent service levels and performance management.
• A consistent, service-oriented contracting experience for sellers, business leaders and customers across regions.
• A globally aligned operating model that improves resource allocation, capacity management and cost efficiency.
• Simplified policies, templates, negotiation playbooks and standard operating procedures that enable commercial teams to move with greater speed and confidence.
• Expanded self‑service and differentiated support pathways, with clear guardrails for routine, complex and higher‑risk agreements.
• Meaningful adoption of contracting technology, workflow automation, contract lifecycle management capabilities and AI‑enabled tools.
• A high‑performing global team with strong leadership depth, commercial judgment and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead Global Contracting Operations

• 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.

Transform the Contracting Operating Model

• 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.

Accelerate Commercial Velocity

• 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.

Partner Across Functions And Govern Risk

• 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.

Drive Digital, Data and AI Transformation

• 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.

Build Talent and Organizational Capability

• 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.

Required

Experience and 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.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute a service‑centric global operating model while sustaining strong day‑to‑day delivery.
• 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.

Preferred

• Experience in a global technology, software, SaaS, energy, sustainability, consulting, professional services or systems‑integration environment.
• Proven expertise leading digital transformation of a contracting function, including CLM, workflow automation, AI‑enabled review or data‑driven operational reporting.
• Experience creating global policies, templates, negotiation playbooks, self‑service models and KPI/SLA frameworks.
• Advanced degree in Business, Law, Management or Operations, and/or a recognized contracting credential such as WorldCC, CFCM or CCCM.

Leadership Profile

• Strategic and operational: able to set direction while staying close to execution, customers and team performance.
• Commercially pragmatic: balances speed, customer experience, business value and responsible risk management.
• Transformational: challenges complexity, redesigns systems and converts strategy into sustained adoption.
• Influential and collaborative: builds trust across functions and regions without relying solely on formal authority.
• Data‑driven: uses evidence, performance insight and clear measures to focus resources and improve outcomes.
• People‑centered: develops talent, creates accountability and builds an inclusive, high‑performing culture.

For this U.S. based position, the expected pay range is USD 168,800 - USD 253,200 per year. This pay range includes base pay and short‑term incentives. The compensation range for this full‑time position applies to candidates located within the United States. Our pay ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the pay range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you’ll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team

• Care for Yourself and Your Family. We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks (credits to apply towards your benefits), flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, well‑being programs, 12 holidays per year, 20 days of paid time off per year (pro‑rated in the first year of employment based on start date).
• Invest and Plan Your Future. We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs: your base salary, short‑term incentives or sales incentives, opportunities to own company shares (eligibility depends on start date), and 401(k) + match.
• Grow Your Skills and Career. We commit to helping you grow with ongoing performance and development conversations, Senior Talent Program, global career opportunities, access to our Schneider Career Hub for new positions, projects, and mentors, and learning platforms like Coursera to equip you with the skills for today and tomorrow.
• Team Up in the Workplace. We encourage teaming up through project opportunities on the Schneider Career Hub, smart ways to collaborate, celebrating contributions via a recognition program (including service anniversary), sharing your voice in our engagement survey, and fostering an inclusive, caring workplace.
• Support Your Community. We make a difference in your community with volunteer leave, programs through the Schneider Electric Foundation, initiatives that support youth education, and military leave benefits.

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters

At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Company Statistics

€40 billion global revenue

+9% organic growth

150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.