Commercial Contracts Specialist
Description
As a Commercial Contracts Specialist, you will serve as a key player in managing and negotiating the agreements that keep our business moving — from vendor and procurement contracts to client-facing agreements. You’ll work closely with our legal team to handle contract negotiations that don’t require an attorney’s signature but do require sound judgment, strong negotiation instincts, and a solid grasp of commercial contract terms.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to do substantive contract work — negotiating terms, managing risk, and protecting the company’s interests. You’ll partner closely with Legal, Procurement, and Sales to move deals forward efficiently while keeping Clearwater’s interests protected.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations on procurement and vendor contracts, as well as client agreements, balancing commercial goals with risk management.
-
Contract Drafting & Review: Draft, redline, and review contract language for common agreement types (MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, vendor agreements, order forms), escalating novel or high-risk issues to Legal.
-
Cross-Functional Partnership: Work directly with Procurement, Sales, and business stakeholders to understand deal requirements and move contracts through negotiation and execution efficiently.
-
Risk Identification: Flag unusual terms, compliance concerns, or business risk in contracts, and know when an issue needs attorney review versus when it can be resolved directly.
-
Playbook Management: Apply and help refine contract playbooks and negotiation guidelines, ensuring consistency across deals and reducing turnaround time.
-
Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline the contract lifecycle, including templates, approval workflows, and negotiation standards.
-
Contract Administration: Maintain accurate records of contract status, obligations, and key terms within the contract management system.
Qualifications:
-
Bachelor’s degree preferred; paralegal certification, contracts management certification, or equivalent practical experience considered in lieu of a degree.
-
A minimum of 3 years of experience in contract negotiation, procurement, paralegal work, or a related commercial/legal support role.
-
Demonstrated experience negotiating contract terms directly with vendors, clients, or counterparties — this is a negotiation-heavy role, not a purely administrative one.
-
Solid understanding of common commercial contract structures and terms (MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, indemnification, liability, payment terms, etc.).
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain contract terms clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
-
Sound judgment on when to resolve an issue independently versus escalate to Legal.
-
Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple contracts and deadlines simultaneously.