Contract Manager

Pace Analytical Services • Roseville, MN

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Contract Manager reviews, drafts, and negotiates commercial agreements in support of Pace® business objectives while protecting the company from legal, financial, and operational risk. The role partners closely with Sales to resolve contract issues and close deals, and supports Procurement with vendor agreements. It assesses risk, advises internal clients on contract terms and practical alternatives, and escalates significant issues as appropriate. The manager works independently on routine and moderately complex matters within established guidelines and approval authorities.

The position is expected to be hybrid, with an initial onsite training period. After training, at least one scheduled in-office day per week is expected; remote work may be available. Work is generally scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The salary range is $77,025 to $128,400, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, legal studies, or a closely related field and five years of professional experience in contract management, negotiation, or a similar role, including support for a sales organization, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Experience in laboratory services, life sciences, environmental, or another regulated industry is preferred. Work is performed in an office or remote setting and may involve infrequent travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, legal studies, or a closely related field, and five years of professional experience in contract management, contract negotiation, or a similar role, including experience supporting a sales organization; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Knowledge of commercial contract drafting, negotiation, and administration, including common terms such as liability, indemnification, warranties, insurance, intellectual property, confidentiality, data protection, and payment terms.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and mitigation, business-to-business sales processes and deal cycles, procurement processes, supplier agreement terms, and contract lifecycle management.
• Proficiency with computer applications related to the work, especially Microsoft Office and contract management systems.
• Ability to negotiate effectively while maintaining positive business relationships and to meet short deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Ability to balance priorities and manage a high volume of concurrent matters through completion.
• Ability to assess legal and business risks and develop practical recommendations; advise internal clients clearly on terms, risks, and options.
• Strong collaboration, attention to detail, analytical, written communication, verbal communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain contract terms and applicable laws and regulations; use initiative and independent judgment within guidelines and escalation procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a virtual environment, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in laboratory services, life sciences, environmental, or another regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate customer agreements, including master services agreements, statements of work, confidentiality agreements, pricing agreements, customer terms and conditions, and amendments.
• Partner with Sales to support timely deal closings, participate in client and internal deal calls, respond to customer redlines and questions, and develop commercially reasonable solutions to negotiation impasses.
• Identify, assess, and communicate legal, financial, and operational risks in agreements, recommend mitigation strategies, and escalate high-risk or non-standard terms according to approval authorities.
• Advise Sales, Operations, Laboratory, and Finance leadership on contract terms, interpretation, obligations, and negotiation strategy.
• Partner with Procurement to review, draft, and negotiate vendor and supplier agreements, and identify supplier-related risks and appropriate protections.
• Manage a high volume of concurrent contract requests, prioritize by deadline, business impact, and risk, maintain accurate records, and track key dates, renewals, and obligations.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, standard positions, and negotiation guidelines, and provide contracting-process guidance and training to Sales and Procurement personnel.
• Suggest and contribute to improvements in departmental service and participate as an active member of work teams.
• Promote Pace®’s mission and a courteous, cooperative, and effective workplace environment.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, immediately 100% vested in the match
• Life insurance
• Disability benefits
• Voluntary benefits
• Paid holidays, sick days, and vacation days
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Wellness program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance program
• Parental leave
• Optional legal coverage
• Identity theft coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level