Contract Management Consultant (Fractional)

Podean

About The Position

Podean is a leading marketplace agency helping brands accelerate growth across Amazon, Walmart, Target, TikTok Shop, and other digital commerce platforms. We combine strategic expertise, data-driven insights, and creative innovation to deliver measurable business outcomes for our clients. We're looking for a Contract Management Consultant to take ownership of Podean's legal and commercial integrity across client agreements worldwide - and help us build the foundation for how we contract at scale. This is a high-impact role sitting at the intersection of legal protection, deal structure, and commercial strategy. You'll be the go-to person for ensuring Podean is protected in every client engagement - from initial MSA through SOW execution and renewals - while leading the development of a consistent, scalable contract framework across all of our global markets. The immediate priority is reviewing and consolidating client and partner contracts inherited through multiple acquisitions over the past 12 months. You'll work closely with Finance, Sales, and Account Management, with real influence over how Podean grows profitably at scale. This is a part-time consulting engagement on an independent contractor basis, with scope and hours to be agreed.

Requirements

5+ years in contract management, legal operations, or commercial management - ideally within a digital agency, SaaS, or e-commerce environment
Proven experience building or standardizing contract frameworks across multiple markets or business units
Deep familiarity with MSAs, SOWs, and client service agreements in a professional services context
Working knowledge of how contract terms and legal requirements differ across the US, UK, EU, APAC, and LATAM
Sharp eye for risk in contract language - and the ability to translate legal nuance into plain business guidance
Commercial mindset: you think about how deals are structured, not just whether the paperwork is clean
Strong cross-functional communicator - able to work across Sales, Finance, and AM without getting siloed, and influence regional teams without direct authority
Highly organized, comfortable juggling multiple active negotiations across time zones

Nice To Haves

Experience in global, multi-market organizations strongly preferred
JD or paralegal background is a plus

Responsibilities

Review, negotiate, and manage all client-facing contracts including MSAs, SOWs, service agreements, and amendments
Serve as the primary point of contact for contract-related questions across Sales, Account Management, and Finance
Identify legal and commercial risks in client agreements and recommend protective language or structural changes
Partner with Sales during the deal process to ensure contracts are client-friendly without compromising Podean's interests
Support Account Management in navigating mid-engagement changes, scope creep, and client pushback on terms
Lead the development and rollout of standardized contract templates, frameworks, and approval workflows across Podean's global markets - US, Europe, LATAM, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East (US represents 70%+ of revenue)
Audit existing contracts across regions to surface inconsistencies, gaps, and risk - and build a clear remediation plan
Develop region-specific variations that maintain global consistency while reflecting local legal requirements and market norms
Build and maintain a global contracts playbook that lets regional teams move fast while staying within approved guardrails
Be the internal authority on contract standards, keeping all regional offices aligned on approved terms and escalation paths
Engage local legal counsel in key markets as needed for compliance and enforceability
Help evolve Podean's pricing and engagement models - retainer structures, performance-based terms, milestone billing, and other frameworks that better reflect the value we deliver
Stay current on marketplace industry norms, e-commerce service agreements, and relevant legal considerations across our key markets