Contracts Specialist

Valley Bank • Morristown, NJ

1d

About The Position

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Prepare, review and edit both standard and non-standard contracts, including Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), professional services agreements, purchase agreements, software license/SaaS agreements, and other business contracts. Ensure clarity, accuracy, and legal soundness in contract language to protect the bank's interests. Collaborate with internal stakeholders (legal, procurement, business counterparts, etc.) and external parties to negotiate favorable contract terms. This includes negotiating clauses on confidentiality, indemnity, liabilities, payment terms, and service level expectations to achieve mutually beneficial agreements while mitigating risk. Assist in managing the contract lifecycle from draft to execution and renewal. This may involve coordinating approvals, maintaining version control, and ensuring all obligations and milestones are tracked. Address inquiries related to contract interpretation and provide guidance to business teams on contract obligations. Serve as a point of contact for clarifying contract scope, terminations, or ambiguities. Advise internal departments on compliance with contractual obligations in cost-effective ways. Verify that contract terms comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and company policies (e.g. interagency guidance, data privacy laws, internal risk policies). Analyze contract clauses to identify potential risks or conflicts. Recommend amendments or protective provisions to prevent future disputes. Resolve contract-related issues or escalate as needed, protecting the bank's interests. Contribute to improving contract processes and may help develop contract playbooks, templates, or checklists to streamline review of recurring contract types. Must have working proficiency with contract management software.

Requirements

• Contract Law Knowledge: A strong understanding of contract law and legal terminology.
• Negotiation & Communication: Excellent negotiation skills and communication abilities are core skills for this role.
• Organization & Time Management: Given the high volume of contracts that the bank handles, the ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously and prioritize workload effectively is mandatory.
• Detail Orientation and Analytical Skills: Candidate must be detail-oriented and employ analytical thinking to catch discrepancies or unfavorable terms.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with contract management software or database systems. Additionally, general MS Office proficiency (especially Word for redlining contracts and Excel for tracking) is expected.
• A willing team player who can collaborate with attorneys, procurement professionals, and business owners is critical.
• Candidate must be able to work cross-functionally and adapt to fast-paced or changing business needs.
• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of relevant experience in commercial contract drafting management, analysis, and negotiation.

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctor, Licensed Attorney: Strong preference for candidates who are licensed attorneys and have practiced law in the past. Familiarity with the banking or financial services industry is a strong plus.
• Experience with technology contracts (software licensing, SaaS, cloud services), outsourcing agreements, consulting agreements, and NDAs, is a strong plus.
• Preference for candidates who have shown initiative in improving contract processes -- e.g., developing contract templates, implementing a contract tracking system, or training business teams on contracting policies.
• Experience with emerging legal tech or AI tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review and edit both standard and non-standard contracts
• Ensure clarity, accuracy, and legal soundness in contract language
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external parties to negotiate favorable contract terms
• Assist in managing the contract lifecycle from draft to execution and renewal
• Address inquiries related to contract interpretation and provide guidance to business teams on contract obligations
• Verify that contract terms comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and company policies
• Analyze contract clauses to identify potential risks or conflicts
• Recommend amendments or protective provisions to prevent future disputes
• Resolve contract-related issues or escalate as needed
• Contribute to improving contract processes and may help develop contract playbooks, templates, or checklists

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees