Principal Contracts Analyst

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

3d • 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.
The Principal Contracts Analyst will be responsible for management, review, and negotiation of legal contracts in support of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and its departments. Collaborates with local and central professional staff supporting contract negotiation and management processes. Supports integration of purchasing strategy with other functional strategies for departments by ensuring that legal and procurement inputs are considered in the development of department unit and supply chain strategies. Supports development of university and specifically FAS third-party/supplier risk assessment processes and ongoing monitoring, control and mitigation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience or 7 years with JD degree
• Include a cover letter.

Nice To Haves

• JD degree and membership in Massachusetts Bar Association preferred.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed environment.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills with strong influencing and persuasive talents.
• Self-motivated, takes initiative and can effectively organize, multi-task, and prioritize a wide array of initiatives.
• Aptitude and experience with innovation.
• Experience working collaboratively across a diverse organization
• Ability to manage and develop a team
• Uncompromising integrity and strong ethical judgment in all aspects of professional work

Responsibilities

• Clearly communicates legal contract requirements and relevant market dynamics to FAS department unit leaders, ensuring category strategies are fully aligned with institutional objectives.
• Provides oversight and governance of third‑party contracts within assigned categories, serving as the principal point of contact for contract structure, terms, and risk mitigation.
• Leads and supports change management initiatives necessary to successfully execute sourcing and contracting activities, promoting adoption of improved processes and practices across FAS.
• Serves as a key FAS representative in the design, development, and implementation of Strategic Procurement strategies, policies, processes, and enabling technologies.
• Acts as a principal contributor to advancing best practices in FAS and central procurement, driving standardization and efficiencies that help FAS stakeholders achieve their goals and objectives.
• Collaborates closely with FAS leadership, Harvard’s Office of General Counsel, Risk Management & Audit Services, and other University partners to ensure FAS supplier contracts and relationships meet required legal, regulatory, and risk standards.
• Functions in a dual‑reporting capacity, including a dotted‑line reporting relationship to FAS, to ensure strong alignment and responsiveness to FAS priorities.

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: Principal