Director of Contracts and Procurement

Title: Director of Contracts and Procurement

Department: Operations

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Tucson, AZ, preferably or Remote U.S

Position Overview

Reporting to the COO, the responsibilities of the Director of Contracts and Procurement include working closely with finance, business leadership, proposal leads, and outside counsel to draft, review, analyze, revise and negotiate a wide variety of contracts with a focus on master services agreements (MSAs), scope of work (SOWs) and NDA/CDAs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

·        Contract Management & Risk Assessment

o  Assesses contract risk and ensures the company's risk appetite is accurately reflected in client’s MSAs, SOWs, NDA/CDAs, and any related legal documents.

o  Reviews, analyzes, drafts, and revises client and vendor agreements in collaboration with our internal teams and outside counsel.

o  Works with internal team in completing risk assessments required by clients

o  Works with internal team to qualify and validate vendors and subcontractors

o  Serves as the primary contract for client and vendor negotiations and communications.

o  Oversees contracts workflow for both client and vendor agreements.

o  Champion COS’ mission, ethics, and integrity - ensuring our agreements are consistent with our values and governance processes.

·        Client proposal review: Provides review and analysis of proposal costings in collaboration with proposal leads and other internal contributors to ensure mathematical accuracy and proper evaluation of business risks.

·        Oversees, supervises and develops the contracts and compliance teams, including giving directions and delivering quarterly performance feedback.

·        Contract Maintenance and Systems

o  Maintains organized systems of digital contract records using COS’ internal QuickBase management system (training will be made available for QuickBase)

o  Creates streamlined processes and templates for internal leaders to use with clients and vendors.

o  Works with internal teams to implement and improve practical, organization-wide contract management process and system, overseeing the processes needed to create, execute and analyze contract using contract management software, AI tools, database management, and spreadsheets. 

o  Creates systems and process to alert all parties regarding necessary contract renewals and/or extensions.

·        Contract Performance

o  Develop contract performance KPIs and set goals for internal team

o  Monitoring contract performance and risk and identifying strategies to achieve desired contract outcomes.

·        Contract Enforcement/Compliance

o  Ensure that all parties involved adhere to the terms of the contract. 

o  Stay abreast of new laws and proposed legislation; develop and conduct compliance training related to contracts and procurement activities. 

Contract relationships

o  Build and maintain relationships with vendors, clients, and other business connections. 

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the required skills to perform multiple, complex, analysis review and interpret technical contract information and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Must be able to work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data will frequently require independent interpretation.

·        B.A/B.S.; MBA Preferred

·        10 years of progressive and increasing experience in contracts management preferably in life sciences/pharma/biotech with global reach, 4 years of which includes managing a team of employees

·        Experience with international corporate business contracts 

·        Certifications: National Contract Management Association (NCMA) certification exams, a plus

·        Practical, business-oriented approach to problem-solving and be able to effectively counsel internal clients by providing them with clear, concise advice and creative solutions where necessary.

·        Ability to simultaneously manage workloads, multiple client demands and shifting priorities within a fast-paced, high-intensity and rapidly evolving environment.

·        Ability to schedule multiple activities, meetings, and/or events; routinely gather, collate, and/or classify data.

·        Proven communication and presentation skills: ability to collaborate with many stakeholders (internal teams, clients, advisors, etc.) on regulatory compliance issues.

·        Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and thoroughness in approach.

·        Collegial, hard-working, quick-learning, self-starter who gets results.

·        Ability to maintain a graceful and helpful attitude, particularly in high-pressure and time crunched circumstances.

·        Team player and consensus builder who can effectively collaborate and build relationships with a diverse range of people /or groups across the organization to initiate and coordinate projects.

·        Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups and individuals; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with detailed information. Below are specific requirements.