Contract Manager

Overview

LabConnect improves lives by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines around the world.

We are an independent, global, one-stop-shop focused on delivering Central Laboratory Services that are tailor-made, timely and flexible to meet the evolving study demands of traditional to increasingly complex trials. Additionally, we provide Functional Service Provider (FSP) Solutions, supporting our clients with scientific and technical expertise, acting as an extension of their team, coordinating all laboratory related needs, advising on strategies for lab data collection and providing end-to-end analytical and logistical solutions.

Job Summary

The following duties are normal for this position; however, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Essential Duties and Other Responsibilities

Change Management, Leadership and Execution

• Independently lead negotiations on a variety of corporate and commercial contract and legal matters.
• Champion for business process change and organizational change to support company-wide goals.
• Requires the ability to understand and interpret the various aspects of a contract: financial, legal, and operational with emphasis on implementation of contract terms.
• Understand the importance of meeting deliverable timelines set by the client, the project team and the business.
• Must be able to conceptualize and envision the impact of change and seek out efficiencies that are client oriented.
• Interpret and apply LabConnect policies/procedures and practices, with support as needed, to ensure protection of LabConnect’s contractual and legal risk posture.
• Lead or participate in company strategic planning efforts.
• Lead or support operational initiatives and projects.

Department Processes, Resources, and Support

• Oversees implementation of new processes and improved processes where necessary to streamline the department’s overall success.
• Support and mentor other colleagues to provide day-to-day guidance, oversight, or propose actionable next steps to ensure that contract tasks move efficiently towards execution.
• Support internal department efforts to update processes, data, and reports used by management to support colleagues.
• Work with management to update templates and negotiation parameters, as needed.
• Manage special projects and ad-hoc requests as needed from time to time.
• Support executive management in sensitive corporate matters as needed from time to time.

Contract Management

• Contract Administration
• Process and negotiate confidentiality agreements to facilitate discussions between new clients and vendors.
• Draft master, governing agreements to memorialize new relationships.
• Prepare client contracts (e.g. Project Agreements and Change Orders) and vendor contracts, and act as liaison with client or vendor personnel to ensure timely review and execution.
• Generate contract amendments to address changes in business terms or changes that warrant updates to the overall business relationship.
• Participate with cross-company teams engaged in refinement of standard service offerings, suggest and prepare revised contract language.
• Coordinate Purchase Orders with Accounting Department, as needed.
• Maintain contract status tracking tools.
• Contract Negotiation
• Possess a level of knowledge needed to understand and solve difficult contractual problems by proactively engaging the operational team, and other relevant stakeholders, to bring prompt resolution or further escalation as needed.
• Establish and maintain internal relationships with stakeholders, holding meetings as necessary to ensure deliverables move forward.
• Negotiate contract terms with client representatives and terms with vendors that are favorable to LabConnect, keeping in mind the complexities of the business and the practicality of terms agreed.
• Negotiate global strategic partnership term sheets and partnership agreements.
• Review and negotiate Data Processing Agreements, Business Associate Agreements, SaaS Agreements, commercial leases, Quality Agreements, Discount/Rebate Agreements, Strategic Partnership Agreements, and global supply chain agreements.
• Assist with the management of cash flow risk by ensuring that client deposits and pre-payments are in-line with vendor payment requirements and that vendor requirements align with LabConnect’s commercial policies and requirements.
• Support and mentor other contract personnel, as needed, on client and vendor commercial agreements.
• Review contracts and determine acceptable terms; making suggested changes and updates to the contract negotiation tools as trends or new concepts emerge.
• Perform in depth analyses using various sources of information to support negotiations.
• De-escalate and propose workable solutions to internal and external escalations, bringing in management only as necessary to diffuse.
• Represent LabConnect in telephone and email negotiations.
• Recommend client deposits and other pre-paid expenses.

Education/Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in science, business, or marketing related discipline, 5-7 years contract administration or related experience. Experience in a contract research organization and/or research setting preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above. Experience managing corporate, software, employment, data privacy matters strongly preferred.

Mathematical Ability:
Ability to perform calculations and understand/interpret budgets. Ability to apply mathematical concepts to budget management for clinical trials.

Required Skills

• Highly organized— “list-oriented” person
• Ability to review and analyze complex project specific client and vendor contracts
• Ability to multitask and consistently meet company and client deadlines
• Negotiation skills with minimal support for complex agreements or scenarios
• Mentoring skills
• Proactive and works well independently
• Independent decision-making ability
• Excellent MS Word skills
• Excellent writing/grammar/spelling skills

Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or clinical research protocols. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from colleagues and clients.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a range of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Computer Skills:
Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint, as well as an aptitude for learning new database software quickly. DocuSign, Salesforce and SharePoint experience preferred.

Work Environment:
Remote position with potential to travel as needed to support the demands of the business.

Physical Demands:
Must regularly operate a computer and occasionally operate other office equipment.

Read more below and get ready for your next great employment adventure!

Some of the Perks our LabConnectors Love:

• Financial Security (base pay, 401k match and annual bonus eligibility)
• Health Benefits beginning on date of hire
• PTO plan plus 10 Paid Company Holidays and 1 day to Volunteer in your community
• Short and Long-Term Disability, Life and AD&D
• We celebrate our differences, which enrich our Culture

We are a growing and global team on a mission to create healthier communities by accelerating the development of new medicines. In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with enriching career growth opportunities.

We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication. Join our team and discover how your work can impact the lives of people all over the world.

It is the policy of LabConnect to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Posters:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters

If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please email talent@labconnect.com or call +1(423)722-3155.

For more information, visit www.labconnect.com