Principal Contracts Paralegal

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota•Eagan, MN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, we are committed to paving the way for everyone to achieve their healthiest life. We are looking for dedicated and motivated individuals who share our vision of transforming healthcare. As a Blue Cross associate, you are joining a culture that is built on values of succeeding together, finding a better way, and doing the right thing. If you are ready to make a difference, join us. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is looking for a Principal Contracts Paralegal to join our team. The Principal Contracts Paralegal will serve as a key member of the Legal team, supporting enterprise-wide contracting activity and contributing to a highly integrated, cross‑functional environment. This role is responsible for managing a broad range of contract-related work including drafting, reviewing, and coordinating simpler agreements and terms, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and research-based projects. The individual will regularly collaborate with internal stakeholders across all lines of business, gaining visibility into multiple areas of the organization while helping advance consistent, compliant contracting practices. With a strong foundation in contracts and regulatory awareness—particularly within the highly regulated healthcare industry—the Principal Contracts Paralegal will operate with a meaningful degree of independence and decision‑making authority. This role is designed to partner closely with the Contracts Manager to create intentional overlap, enhance team capacity, and streamline contract operations. The ideal candidate is assertive, confident in their expertise, and comfortable proposing solutions, taking ownership, and exercising judgment. They should be able to “move the ball forward” with minimal oversight, demonstrate resilience in a lean, seasoned legal environment, and contribute thoughtful recommendations—even if it means making well‑reasoned mistakes along the way.

Requirements

Paralegal certificate.
7+ years of related professional experience. All relevant experience including work, education, transferable skills, and military experience will be considered.
Maturity to be able to exercise sound judgment, work independently and effectively manage a wide variety of responsibilities.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
Strong project management skills with ability to manage a variety of projects simultaneously and to work across functional organizations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent interpersonal and relationship skills; ability to work with individuals at all levels within an organization.
Proven ability to prioritize and to identify matters requiring escalation or special attention.
Proven self-starter who values process and is well-organized in order to drive process.
Proven ability to work in a client-focused, deadline driven environment.
Strong attention to detail and superior reading comprehension.
Proven willingness and eagerness to take on new and challenging projects with interest and enthusiasm for learning new subjects.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), PDF, Visio, etc.
Experience with contract drafting, redlining, and negotiation.
High school diploma (or equivalency) and legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in commercial and/or transactional settings.
Experience working at a health insurance company, particularly one that offers insurance plans in the government markets.
Bachelor's degree

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and revise vendor contracts under the guidance of the Vendor Contract Manager and Legal counsel, ensuring alignment with approved templates and organizational policies.
Conduct research and prepare summaries on contract terms, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and vendor issues to support contract negotiations and decision-making.
Maintain and update contract templates and clause libraries, including tracking supplier considerations and alternative approved language to support efficient negotiations.
Gather, organize, and manage contract documentation for easy access and compliance.
Assist in managing contract workflows by coordinating with Procurement Services, Legal, Compliance, and other internal stakeholders to ensure required information, approvals, and documentation are completed.
Track and monitor contract status, key deadlines, and critical follow-up items to support timely execution.
Participate in and occasionally lead departmental process improvement initiatives, focusing on streamlining procurement contract processes, enhancing efficiency, and improving documentation practices.
Support system and process enhancements related to Legal and Procurement contracting tools, repositories, and workflow management systems.
Maintain organized filing systems and legal records, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with document retention policies.
Provide general legal support as needed, including preparing reports, analyzing data, and supporting special projects led by the Vendor Contract Manager or Legal leadership.