Sr. Specialist, Contracts

NextDecade; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Medium is seeking a Sr. Specialist, Contracts to manage complex contracts across various functions in Houston, Texas. The role involves overseeing the full contract lifecycle, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance and performance.

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in contract management, excellent negotiation skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. The position promises engaging work in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in contract management in the energy sector.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full contract lifecycle from development through execution.
• Coordinate contract planning and pre-award activities.
• Lead development, review, and negotiation of commercial contracts.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Oral and written communication

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving abilities

People skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain, the Sr. Specialist, Contracts is responsible for leading the end-to-end management of complex contracts in a shared services capacity, supporting Corporate Functions and Operations. This role focuses on contracts across HR, Regulatory, Marketing, Commercial, Travel, and other shared services functions, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Professional Service Agreements (PSAs), consulting and agency agreements, purchase orders (POs), and other commercial contracts.

This role requires comprehensive expertise across the full contract lifecycle, from planning, through drafting, redlining, negotiation, execution, and post-award administration. The Sr. Specialist, Contracts will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external business partners to ensure contracts are aligned with organizational goals, risk profiles and compliance standards.

This is a strategic, hands‑on role that requires strategic thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to drive results in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the full contract lifecycle, from initial development through execution, compliance tracking, modifications, and closeout.
• Coordinate contract planning and pre‑award activities in collaboration with business owners, legal, project management, finance, tax, technical teams, and other stakeholders.
• Lead the development, review, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts, including drafting, redlining, and revising contract language to reflect negotiated terms and mitigate risk across Shared Services Functions such as HR, regulatory/compliance, marketing, communications, finance, travel, HSSE, and other corporate functions.
• Identify synergies and drive execution from company level.
• Actively drive dialogue and collaboration across all procurement teams.
• Effectively influence and work across the company’s shared services functions and stakeholders to execute short and long‑term objectives.
• Execute complex shared services RFx events to secure major agreements and material purchases while managing and mitigating supply/contractual risk leveraging key functional areas where appropriate (Legal, Insurance, Cyber, etc.).
• Serve as the procurement subject‑matter expert to shared services internal and external stakeholder groups to address business needs according to best‑in‑class sourcing strategies and methodologies.
• Establish effective strategic relationships with key shared services stakeholders while also understanding, anticipating, and responding to their business needs, objectives, and challenges.
• Work with shared services functions to mitigate uncertainties by planning and forecasting future needs or projects.
• Ensure alignment of contract terms with company objectives, requirements, and internal policies and procedures.
• Maintain version control during negotiations and oversee the integrity of contract documentation.
• Perform post‑award contract administration, including tracking of deliverables, obligations, and milestones to ensure compliance and performance.
• Monitor key contract milestones, deliverables, and obligations to ensure timely performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to address contract‑related issues and support resolution of disputes or claims.
• Prepare and issue contract amendments, change orders, and notices in coordination with internal stakeholders, and manage change logs.
• Monitor contract compliance and support internal audits and reviews.
• Maintain accurate and organized contract records in the contract management system.
• Develop and implement standard contract templates and playbooks to support contract formation and administration.
• Contribute to process improvements, templates, and tools that enhance contract management practices.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in contract management in the energy sector, particularly with MLA, OEM MSA, PSA, and POs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization and excelling in a dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives.
• Excellent negotiation skills and oral and written communication.
• Excellent people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross‑functionally.
• Strategic thinking, curiosity, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) certifications CPCM, CCCM, CCMA, or other relevant certifications.
• Supply Chain certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, MCIPS, or other relevant certifications.

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.