Senior Contracts Manager – Life Sciences

Kardigan; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kardigan is a heart health company seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee the complete contract lifecycle. This role, embedded within Kardigan's legal team, reports to the VP of Corporate Law and sits in Chicago with a hybrid work model (2-3 days on-site).

Responsibilities include drafting, negotiating, and managing diverse contracts; ensuring regulatory compliance; and driving process improvements with stakeholders across the organization.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of relevant experience with a minimum of 5 years of contract administration within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or medical device industry.
• Proven excellence in contract drafting and negotiation with biotech/pharma/med device terms and best practices.
• Experience with contract lifecycle management systems, e-signature platforms, and collaboration platforms; CLM implementation preferred.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Independently draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts including service agreements, consulting agreements, NDAs, vendor and supplier contracts, and statements of work (SOWs).
• Translate business needs into clear, legally sound contract language with risk mitigation and operational flexibility.
• Ensure contract terms comply with laws, policies, and industry regulations.
• Assist with the implementation of a contract lifecycle management (CLM) tool.
• Track key contractual obligations, renewals, and deadlines.
• Identify, assess, and elevate legal and business risks when necessary.
• Drive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including vendors, consultants, clinical sites, and partners.
• Manage contracts from intake to execution, tracking status and communicating risks and solutions.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certification preferred

Tools

CLM systems

e-signature platforms

SharePoint

Excel

Job description

Kardigan is a heart health company seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee the complete contract lifecycle. This role, embedded within Kardigan's legal team, reports to the VP of Corporate Law and sits in Chicago with a hybrid work model (2-3 days on-site).

Responsibilities include drafting, negotiating, and managing diverse contracts; ensuring regulatory compliance; and driving process improvements with stakeholders across the organization.