Senior Contract Strategist

Deluxe; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Performance incentive plan

401(k) with match

Job summary

Deluxe Corporation, based in the United States, seeks a Senior Contract Strategist to lead end‑to‑end negotiation and drafting of complex, high‑value agreements across multiple business segments. You will guide pricing terms, risk allocation, and regulatory compliance while aligning with Deluxe’s strategic objectives.

The role requires strong negotiation skills, 5+ years drafting contracts, and 7–10 years of experience in similar roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in legal or Business Studies.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in drafting, redlining, and negotiating contracts.
• 7–10 years’ experience in drafting, redlining, and negotiating contracts.
• Strong written communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end negotiation and drafting of complex, high‑value customer and partner agreements across multiple Deluxe business segments.
• Provide executive level recommendations on non‑standard positions, precedent setting issues, and trade‑offs between revenue, risk, and customer experience.
• Own the contract strategy framework for assigned segments, including templates, playbooks, and escalation processes.
• Enable AI enabled language tools and contract automation to improve speed, quality, and consistency of drafting.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Product Management, Marketing, Compliance, Operations, and Sales leadership to shape contracting strategy.

Skills

Strong written communication

Strong attention to detail

Strong work ethic

Education

Bachelor’s degree in legal or Business Studies

Juris Doctorate in Law (JD) or MBA

Job description

Why Join Us

Be part of an organization that’s driving change and consistently recognized as a top employer. At Deluxe, we know that great people build great companies—and we invest in you accordingly.

• We’re proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work and a top workplace for Moms, Dads, LGBTQ+ employees, and Veterans.
• We offer competitive benefits starting on day one, designed to support your life both in and out of work.
• 42% of our employees have stayed for 10+ years, citing our people, benefits, work-life balance, inclusive culture, and team support as key reasons why.

Leads complex commercial contracting and negotiation across multiple Deluxe business segments, providing expert guidance on pricing, policy, contract language, and business risk. Owns strategy and execution for high value and high risk agreements, including the use of artificial intelligence, and the development of sophisticated financial and risk allocation clauses, to optimize revenue and mitigate legal, regulatory, and operational exposure for Deluxe.

The Senior Contract Strategist leads end‑to‑end negotiation and drafting of complex, high‑value customer and partner agreements across multiple Deluxe business segments, including financial services and other regulated environments.

• Serves as a primary contracting expert for sophisticated financial, pricing, and risk allocation terms (e.g., revenue share, tiered pricing, fee schedules, credits, and limitations of liability).
• Works cross functionally with Legal, Finance, Product Management, Marketing, Compliance, Operations, and Sales leadership to shape contracting strategy and deal structures aligned to Deluxe’s business objectives and risk appetite. Provides executive level recommendations on non‑standard positions, precedent setting issues, and trade‑offs between revenue, risk, and customer experience.
• Owns and continuously improves the contract strategy framework for assigned segments, including standard templates, playbooks, fallback positions, exception and escalation processes, and deal governance for their assigned segment. Evaluates precedent and market trends to recommend changes that support long‑term strategic objectives and protect Deluxe’s contractual and financial position.
• Enables the use and governance of AI enabled language tools and contract automation technologies to improve speed, quality, and consistency of complex contract drafting. Designs and refines prompts, clause libraries, and review frameworks to help identify risk in sophisticated financial clauses, regulatory commitments, and data/AI‑related provisions, and mentors others on best practices.
• Serves as a focal for Product Commercialization and Merger & Acquisition activities in designated segments, including structuring and harmonizing customer and vendor contracts. Assesses contractual implications of new offerings, integrations, and acquisitions and recommends structures to efficiently scale within Deluxe’s risk and profitability targets.
• Assists the RFP team with the contracting and risk components of the Request for Proposal (RFP/RFI) process for assigned segments. Identifies non‑standard terms, especially those impacting financial obligations, data/AI use, and regulatory requirements, and coordinates internal vetting and approvals with Legal, Compliance, Finance, InfoSec, and other key stakeholders.
• Partners with Legal and Deluxe Vendor Management, as needed, to align customer and vendor contracting positions and ensure consistency with corporate policy. Proactively recommends enhancements to Deluxe’s standard forms, clauses (including AI and financial clauses), and contract management processes to improve risk control, efficiency, and deal velocity.

Position may include other duties as determined by the company.

Basic:

• Bachelor’s degree in legal or Business Studies.
• Minimum of at least 5 years’ experience in drafting, redlining, and negotiating contracts.

Preferred:

• Bachelors Degree + Juris Doctorate in Law (JD) or MBA preferred
• Financial Service industry experience a plus but not required.
• 7-10 years’ experience in drafting, redlining, and negotiating contracts.
• Strong written communication
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong work ethic.
• Experience negotiating Data Licensing Agreements, DPAs, or Credit Bureau Data Supply Agreements a plus.

Additional Basic Qualifications:

Must be 18 years of age or older

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 annually. This position will be eligible for commission or an annual performance incentive plan. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity.

Benefits

In line with our commitment to employee wellbeing, our total rewards benefits package is designed to support the physical, financial, and emotional health of our employees, tailored to meet their unique and evolving needs. Our approach considers our employees’ whole selves, ensuring they can thrive both in and outside of work. Here are some of the benefits we offer, which may vary based on role, location, or hours worked:

• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, and Holidays
• Employer-Matched Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Infertility Treatment, Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
• Tuition Reimbursement

These benefits are designed to enhance the health, protect the financial security, and provide peace of mind to our employees and their families.

Deluxe Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, ethnic or national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or presentation, pregnancy, genetics, veteran status or any other status protected by state or federal law.

Please view the electronic EEO is the Law Poster which serves to inform you of your equal employment opportunity protections as part of the application process.

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers with a Disability:

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].