Sr. Specialist, Contracts

NextDecade • Houston, TX

115d

About The Position

NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure, low-cost, and sustainable energy solutions through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction and carbon capture and storage infrastructure. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development. We are also developing a potential carbon capture and storage project at the facility that is expected to make meaningful impacts toward a lower carbon future. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com. Reporting to the Director Supply Chain, the Sr. Specialist, Contracts will be responsible for leading the end-to-end management of complex contracts in a shared services capacity for Corporate Functions and Operations with a focus on major tier one contracts with IT/Digital Agreements (SaaS), Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Master Service Agreements (MSA), Professional Service Agreements (PSA), Logistics Agreements, Purchase Orders (PO), and other types of commercial contracts. This role requires comprehensive expertise across the full contract lifecycle, from planning, through drafting, redlining, negotiation, execution, and post-award administration. The Sr. Specialist, Contracts will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external business partners to ensure contracts are aligned with organizational goals, risk profiles and compliance standards. This is a strategic, hands-on role that requires strategic thinking, attention to details and the ability to drive the results in a fast paced, cross-functional environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in contract management in the energy sector, particularly with SaaS, MLA, OEM MSA, PSA, Logistics contracts and POs.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization and excelling in a dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives.
• Excellent negotiation skills and oral and written communication.
• Excellent people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally.
• Strategic thinking, curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.

Nice To Haves

• National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) certifications CPCM, CCCM, CCMA or other relevant certifications.
• Supply Chain certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, MCIPS or other relevant certifications.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full contract lifecycle, from initial development through execution, compliance tracking, modifications, and closeout.
• Coordinate contract planning/contracting strategy and pre-award activities in collaboration with business owners, legal, project management, finance, tax, technical teams, and other involved stakeholders.
• Lead the development, review, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts including drafting, redline, and revise contract language to reflect negotiated terms and mitigate risk for Shared Services Functions: IT/Cyber, HRO, Public Relations & Communications, Marketing, Finance, HSSE, Marketing and others.
• Identify synergies and drive execution from Company level.
• Actively drive dialogue and collaboration across all procurement teams.
• Effectively influence and work across the company’s shared services functions and stakeholders to execute short and long-term objectives.
• Execute complex shared services RFx events to execute major agreements and material purchases while managing and mitigating supply/contractual risk leveraging key functional areas where appropriate (Legal, Insurance, Cyber, etc.).
• Serve as the procurement subject matter expert to shared services internal and external stakeholder groups to address business needs according to best-in-class sourcing strategies and methodologies.
• Establish effective strategic relationships with key shared services stakeholders while also understanding, anticipating, and responding to their business needs, objectives, and challenges.
• Work with shared services functions to mitigate uncertainties by planning and forecasting future needs or projects.
• Ensure alignment of contract terms with company objectives, requirements, and internal policies and procedures.
• Maintain version control during negotiations and oversee the integrity of contract documentation.
• Perform post-award contract administration, including tracking of deliverables, obligations, and milestones to ensure compliance and performance.
• Monitor key contract milestones, deliverables, and obligations to ensure timely performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to address contract-related issues and support resolution of disputes or claims.
• Prepare and issue contract amendments, change orders, and notices in coordination with internal stakeholders, and manage change logs.
• Monitor contract compliance and support internal audits and reviews.
• Maintain accurate and organized contract records in the contract management system.
• Develop and implement standard contract templates and playbooks to support contracts formation and administration.
• Contribute to process improvements, templates, and tools that enhance contract management practices.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees