Contracts & Compliance Manager

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

1d•$120,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Join our dynamic team as a Contracts & Compliance Manager. You'll play a key role in building our foundation, working with cutting-edge technologies, and collaborating with leadership. In this role, you will oversee the critical intersection of contract lifecycle management, intellectual property (IP) protection, and international trade compliance. You will serve as the primary guardian of our legal and commercial interests, ensuring that our global operations are efficient, protected, and fully compliant with international regulations. Your responsibilities will include: Contract Lifecycle Management: Drafting & Negotiation: Lead the evaluation, drafting, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and legal standards. Risk Mitigation: Identify potential contractual risks and develop proactive strategies to protect the organization’s interests. Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for suppliers, clients, and internal departments (Finance, Legal, Procurement) to facilitate smooth contract execution. Monitoring & Performance: Oversee the full lifecycle of agreements, including renewals, amendments, and close-outs, while monitoring performance to ensure all parties meet their obligations. Intellectual Property (IP) Oversight: Asset Management: Manage the company’s IP portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Strategy & Filing: Partner with legal counsel to prepare patent applications and manage filings. Enforcement: Monitor the market for potential infringements and coordinate enforcement actions or dispute resolutions. Advisory: Provide internal guidance on IP rights issues and assist in drafting IP-specific clauses in commercial agreements. Global Trade & Export Compliance: Regulatory Adherence: Ensure all global trade activities comply with ITAR, EAR, and OFAC regulations. Documentation: Maintain rigorous records for export licenses, permits, and shipping documentation to ensure seamless customs clearance. Internal Auditing: Conduct regular assessments of trade processes to identify gaps and ensure the company remains audit-ready. Training: Develop and deliver training programs for staff on export compliance and internal trade policies. Agency Liaison: Serve as the primary contact for customs agents and regulatory authorities. Data-Driven Optimization: Utilize ERP/MRP systems and data analytics to forecast demand, track KPIs (OTIF, Lead Times, COGS), and identify potential disruptions before they impact the line. Logistics & Compliance: Oversee complex international shipping routes, customs compliance, and last-mile delivery for sensitive technical equipment. This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Requirements

5+ years of experience in contract management, legal operations, or compliance (preferably in a global manufacturing or tech environment).
Bachelor’s degree in business, Law, International Relations, or a related field (JD or Paralegal certification is a plus).
Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of international trade laws (ITAR/EAR) and IP filing processes.
Communication: Exceptional negotiation skills and the ability to translate complex legal requirements into actionable business advice.
Organization: Proven ability to manage a high volume of documentation with extreme accuracy.
Startup Mindset: You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

Nice To Haves

JD or Paralegal certification is a plus

Responsibilities

Drafting & Negotiation: Lead the evaluation, drafting, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and legal standards.
Risk Mitigation: Identify potential contractual risks and develop proactive strategies to protect the organization’s interests.
Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for suppliers, clients, and internal departments (Finance, Legal, Procurement) to facilitate smooth contract execution.
Monitoring & Performance: Oversee the full lifecycle of agreements, including renewals, amendments, and close-outs, while monitoring performance to ensure all parties meet their obligations.
Asset Management: Manage the company’s IP portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Strategy & Filing: Partner with legal counsel to prepare patent applications and manage filings.
Enforcement: Monitor the market for potential infringements and coordinate enforcement actions or dispute resolutions.
Advisory: Provide internal guidance on IP rights issues and assist in drafting IP-specific clauses in commercial agreements.
Regulatory Adherence: Ensure all global trade activities comply with ITAR, EAR, and OFAC regulations.
Documentation: Maintain rigorous records for export licenses, permits, and shipping documentation to ensure seamless customs clearance.
Internal Auditing: Conduct regular assessments of trade processes to identify gaps and ensure the company remains audit-ready.
Training: Develop and deliver training programs for staff on export compliance and internal trade policies.
Agency Liaison: Serve as the primary contact for customs agents and regulatory authorities.
Data-Driven Optimization: Utilize ERP/MRP systems and data analytics to forecast demand, track KPIs (OTIF, Lead Times, COGS), and identify potential disruptions before they impact the line.
Logistics & Compliance: Oversee complex international shipping routes, customs compliance, and last-mile delivery for sensitive technical equipment.