Manager of Contracts

KIPP • Houston, TX

22h • $80,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The KIPP Texas Finance Team is a high-performing department within our School Support Partners (SSP), comprising Accounting, Business Intelligence (BI), and Financial Planning & Analysis. As a member of the Business Intelligence Team, you aren't just managing data – you are translating it into opportunity. We are a highly agile team dedicated to providing data transparency across our regions. Our mission is to bridge the gap between raw information and mission-aligned action, ensuring that every leader, from the classroom to the C-suite, has the insights they need to advocate for our students (little KIPPsters) and drive organizational excellence.
As the Manager of Contracts, you turn legal agreements into student opportunities, ensuring our schools have the resources they need to thrive by delivering what they need swiftly, safely, and responsibly. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Business Intelligence, you will exercise real authority as a high-impact individual contributor. You won’t just move paper; you will leverage AI-enabled tools to triage complexity, mitigate risk, and protect our leaders’ time.
Your Impact
Operational Authority: Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle - review, coordination, and execution - with the autonomy to identify and resolve risks.
System Innovation: Utilize AI tools to streamline triage and apply rigorous risk standards, ensuring only material issues reach legal or executive review.
Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as the vital link between internal teams, vendors, and outside counsel to drive follow-through and organizational agility.

Requirements

• 3+ years of progressive experience in accounting, finance, operations, procurement, compliance, vendor management, or other operational roles involving contract review, risk assessment, or financial oversight.
• Experience translating financial, operational, or compliance requirements into structured review processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects end-to-end, including follow-up through execution
• Mission Alignment: Demonstrates strong integrity and a clear commitment to KIPP’s mission and values, with a consistent focus on outcomes for students and families.
• Ownership of Team Culture: Contributes to a collaborative, mission-driven team culture by showing care for colleagues, modeling professionalism, and prioritizing people alongside results.
• Creating Clarity in Ambiguous Situations: Effectively navigates ambiguity by defining priorities, aligning stakeholders, and establishing clear processes that support execution and continuous improvement.
• Growth Mindset / Learning Process: Approaches work as a continuous learner; seeks and provides feedback, takes initiative, and supports individual and team development.
• Influence / Communication: Invests in building relationships and leads with both head and heart; communicates clearly and professionally with senior leaders, cross-functional partners, and external vendors.
• Management of Projects: Manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong organization, follow-through, accountability, and attention to detail while meeting timelines and standards.
• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in nonprofit, education, healthcare, or other highly regulated environments preferred
• Prior experience coordinating with legal counsel or contract attorneys preferred
• Background as a contracts specialist, paralegal, procurement analyst, or compliance professional preferred

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end contract intake and review process from submission through execution
• Apply established risk criteria to classify contracts as LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH risk
• Use GenAI tools to accelerate initial review and produce clear, concise summaries
• Ensure contracts meet organizational standards prior to approval or signature
• Coordinate contract revisions, redlines, and approvals with vendors and internal stakeholders
• Track and follow up on missing items including exhibits, insurance certificates, data protection addenda, and signatures
• Maintain clear timelines and reduce last-minute or incomplete contract submissions
• Escalate contracts for legal review only when defined risk thresholds are met
• Translate legal feedback into plain-English summaries and actionable next steps
• Partner with outside counsel to support efficient, focused reviews
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contract status, requirements, and next steps
• Push back respectfully but firmly on incomplete or non-compliant submissions
• Provide executives with short, decision-ready summaries rather than legal memos
• Maintain accurate contract tracking, documentation, and status reporting
• Identify opportunities to improve templates, workflows, and review standards
• Support continued improvement of AI-enabled contract review practices

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
• Paid family leave.
• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.
• Employee assistance programs.
• KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed