Contracts Strategy Analyst

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard University’s Strategic Procurement Department is a central administrative function that serves all Harvard schools, institutes, and administrative units. Our mission is to create value for Harvard by optimizing the procurement of goods and services while upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and supplier partnership. We manage over $3.5 billion in annual addressable spend and are committed to practices that support balance of trade, environmental sustainability, and the University’s long-term financial health.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Contracting, the Contracts Strategy Analyst supports contract lifecycle activities across Harvard schools and departments, with a dual focus on complex contract review and transforming lower-complexity contracting work. This role manages high-visibility agreements while driving scalable solutions to improve efficiency across the contracting function.
The role also works closely with the Office of Contracting services leadership team to lead automation, templates, and AI-enabled workflows to streamline or eliminate manual review of high-volume, low-risk agreements (e.g., NDAs, hotel and event agreements).
Working with Strategic Procurement, OGC, Risk Management, and stakeholders, this role ensures compliance, manages pipelines, and supports strategic contracting initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience
• JD strongly preferred
• Experience negotiating complex agreements
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management systems, for example Ironclad, Jaggaer, and Zip.
• Experience or interest in automation and AI workflows
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Ability to operate strategically and tactically
• Experience managing cross-functional initiatives

Responsibilities

• Provides advice on contract structuring, risk, and negotiation strategy by providing robust redlines to business owners.
• Lead automation and standardization of low-risk agreements, such as NDAs, hotel, events, and some software agreements.
• Support the design and maintenance of templates, playbooks, and AI-enabled workflows
• Oversee intake, triage, and contract tracking
• Maintain contract data integrity and reporting insights
• Support leadership on strategic initiatives and coordination, specifically the implementation of a new procurement orchestration system for contracting.
• Provide training and support change management efforts

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree