Contract Specialist - Legal & Compliance

Stout • Chicago, IL

10d

About The Position

At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence ® . Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team. Contract Specialist – Legal & Compliance Impact You’ll Make Serve as the first point of review for a broad range of commercial contracts—including engagement letters, confidentiality agreements, consulting agreements, vendor agreements, and independent contractor agreements—to ensure alignment with company policies, legal requirements, and industry best practices. Improve contract quality by reviewing client redlines, applying internal templates and playbooks, and escalating key issues to supervising attorneys when needed. Strengthen business operations by managing and maintaining legal templates, developing process improvements, and contributing to playbooks, checklists, and tools that enhance contract workflow efficiency. Provide clear interpretation of contract terms and policies to internal stakeholders, helping teams meet business objectives while supporting effective risk management. Support cross-functional teams (Client Services, IT, Finance, HR) by serving as a reliable point of contact for contract- and policy-related inquiries. Contribute to Legal & Compliance team initiatives, resources, and presentations, supporting the firm’s broader operational and compliance goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, legal studies, or a related field (required).
• 4+ years of experience drafting, reviewing, or negotiating commercial contracts in a corporate legal department or professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of commercial contracting concepts; familiarity with data privacy, professional services, or government contracting is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain contract concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience managing contract documents, templates, or workflows.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Paralegal certification or equivalent experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and revise commercial agreements using internal templates, playbooks, and professional judgment to ensure accurate, compliant, high-quality contract documents.
• Conduct basic negotiations with internal stakeholders and external clients, escalating complex matters to in-house attorneys as appropriate.
• Manage and update department templates, standard forms, clause libraries, and process documentation to maintain consistency and improve efficiency.
• Interpret contract language, policies, and requirements for internal teams, providing clear, business-aligned recommendations.
• Support subpoena responses, litigation matters, document production, and other legal support activities as requested by legal leadership.
• Collaborate with internal teams across the firm to troubleshoot contract-related questions and ensure smooth execution of business processes.
• Assist with developing internal training materials, resources, and presentations on contracting best practices and legal processes.

Benefits

• At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.
• We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success.
• Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.
• We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.
• Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees