Contract Specialist I

College of American Pathologists•Northfield, IL

1d•$67,000 - $84,000

About The Position

The Contract Specialist I is responsible for: Supporting the contracting lifecycle by reviewing escalated agreements for alignment with the Contract Playbook, maintain accurate CLM data and workflows, and assisting with development and upkeep of contract templates and related documentation. This role serves as the first reviewer for all contracts escalated by Category Managers and helps ensure consistency, compliance, and efficient contracting operations across the organization.

Requirements

Strong attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
Sound judgement, including knowing when and how to escalate issues
1-3 years of experience in contract administration, legal support, or procurement operations
Strong organizational skills
Strong analytical skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Paralegal degree or equivalent contracting experience
Familiarity with contract structure, common clauses, and legal terminology
Experience with contract lifecycle management (CLM) or document management systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
Equivalent combination of education and relevant contracting or procurement experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
1-3 years of experience in contract administration, legal operations, procurement operations, or a related role.
Hands-on experience reviewing, comparing, and tracking contract terms, including renewals and key obligations.
Experience supporting legal, contracting, or procurement teams in an operational or administrative capacity.
Experience managing multiple requests, maintaining organized records, and escalating issues appropriately within defined processes.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal or Legal Certifications
Certified Commercial Contracts Manager or Certified Professional Contracts Manager
Certified Professional in Supply Management
Certified Procurement Professional or equivalent
CLM platform training or certification (e.g. Malbek, Icertis, Agiloft, Coupa, or similar)
Microsoft Dynamics 365 familiarity or training

Responsibilities

Contract Review:
Review escalated contracts to determine alignment with approved Playbook terms
Identify deviations, missing clauses, or inconsistencies and correct them using established Playbook guidance
Resolve minor issues when they fall within approved parameters
Prepare clear escalation packets for Contract Specialist II or Sr. Manager of Contracts when additional review is required
Flag potential risk, legal, or compliance matters for further escalation
Contract Lifecycle Management
Enter and maintain accurate contract records, metadata, and version control in the CLM system
Ensure contract routing follow established workflows and required approval paths
Monitor contract status, signatures, and pending approvals, follow up with stakeholders as needed
Support dashboard updates, trackers, and renewal/expiration alerts
Assist in testing workflows adjustments, template uploads and CLM upgrades
Contract Playbook and Template Support
Support updates to the Contract Playbook by performing clause comparisons and confirming accuracy of referenced language
Maintain organized clause libraries, template files, and version records
Assist in drafting non-substantive revisions (formatting, cross-referencing, administrative updates)
Document recurring issues or pattens that may indicate a need for future Playbook enhancements
Collaborate with Contract Specialist II to ensure templates and guidance documents remain up to date
Collaboration and Process Improvement
Provide guidance to Category Managers on routing steps, basic Playbook requirements, and CLM processes
Partner with Buyers/ Procurement Specialists to ensure alignment between contracting and purchasing workflows
Assist with preparing job aids, checklists, and workflow documentation for internal users
Participate in training sessions for new and existing users on CLM fundamentals
Recommend improvements based on workflow observations and user feedback