Hybrid Senior Contracts & Procurement Strategist

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Principal Contracts Analyst to manage, review, and negotiate complex legal contracts in support of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and its departments. You will collaborate with General Counsel, Risk Management, and procurement partners to align contracting with university strategy and risk posture.

You will lead cross‑functional teams in a matrixed environment, drive standardization of procurement practices, and ensure compliance with university

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience or 7 years with JD degree.
• JD degree and Massachusetts Bar Association preferred.

Responsibilities

• Clearly communicates legal contract requirements and relevant market dynamics to FAS department unit leaders, ensuring category strategies are fully aligned with institutional objectives.
• Provides oversight and governance of third‑party contracts within assigned categories, serving as the principal point of contact for contract structure, terms, and risk mitigation.
• Leads and supports change management initiatives necessary to successfully execute sourcing and contracting activities, promoting adoption of improved processes and practices across FAS.
• Serves as a key FAS representative in the design, development, and implementation of Strategic Procurement strategies, policies, processes, and enabling technologies.
• Acts as a principal contributor to advancing best practices in FAS and central procurement, driving standardization and efficiencies that help FAS stakeholders achieve their goals and objectives.
• Collaborates closely with FAS leadership, Harvard’s Office of General Counsel, Risk Management & Audit Services, and other University partners to ensure FAS supplier contracts and relationships meet required legal, regulatory, and risk standards.
• Functions in a dual‑reporting capacity, including a dotted‑line reporting relationship to FAS, to ensure strong alignment and responsiveness to FAS priorities.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Negotiation skills

Organizational skills

Written and oral communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

J.D. degree

Massachusetts Bar Association

Job description

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Principal Contracts Analyst to manage, review, and negotiate complex legal contracts in support of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and its departments. You will collaborate with General Counsel, Risk Management, and procurement partners to align contracting with university strategy and risk posture.

You will lead cross‑functional teams in a matrixed environment, drive standardization of procurement practices, and ensure compliance with university