Senior Director - Contract Management

As Contract Management BPO, you will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing the contract lifecycle management process which includes all aspects of contract template creation/maintenance, contract initiation, negotiation and execution, and supporting contract lifecycle management systems, to maximize overall performance and drive efficiencies. This role requires a deep understanding of customer and vendor contract management, including detailed knowledge of contract data management, integrity, compliance, and security, as well as a proficiency in utilizing advanced contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools (including automation) to drive strategic outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and mitigate contractual risks. 

You will report to the General Counsel and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including the Sales, Product, Finance, Procurement and Operations teams, to ensure the Contract Management process is efficient and aligned with DLR’s strategy and growth goals.  This role will be part of the broader Legal Risk Sustainability Compliance (LRSC) team, and will partner closely with the Legal Operations function.  You also will be assigned additional responsibilities and/or special projects to support the General Counsel and the LRSC team.

What you’ll do

•    Lead the design and implementation of best practice improvements for Contract Management processes, including working with the Sales, Legal, Finance, Commercial Management, Operations and Procurement teams to define technical CLM requirements to streamline contract creation, approval, and execution, ensuring compliance, reducing cycle times, and enhancing governance and workflows for both customer and vendor contracts. 

•    Be accountable for the end-to-end management of the CLM system, including gathering business requirements, overseeing development and implementation, and ensuring the CLM platform effectively supports contract management processes and delivers value to the organization.

•    Drive the harmonization of global MSA terms and service order templates, exceptions and reporting while driving governance and performance, working closely with the Legal team to identify and shape systemization opportunities throughout the flow.

•    Define and communicate the contract governance structure, including contract hierarchy and data requirements, and map this back to CLM requirements gathering.

•    Be responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive contract data dictionary to standardize contract terminology, facilitate clear communication, and enhance data quality and consistency throughout the contract lifecycle.

•    Work closely with other BPOs to identify key dependencies between the processes, including renewals and terminations, NDAs and other agreements. 

•    Identify critical data elements throughout the process flows; collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed data quality and analytics into process design and improvement initiatives. 

•    Partner with IT to integrate and optimize the use of CRM and ERP systems in support of the Contract Management activities.

•    Define and maintain the process and control standards documentation (to level 5 work instructions) for Contract Management, including building process-level controls based on internal standards.

•    Identify and manage risks that could impact the Contract Management cycle, and propose practical strategies as required.

•    Develop and deliver concise, impactful stakeholder updates, including presentations and reports, to ensure Management stays informed on key contract management activities.

•    Lead global contract data management administration team across the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions, working closely with other groups to validate and report on the contract data.

•    Provide oversight of CLM Product Owner during development and implementation phases.

What you’ll need

•    Juris Doctor or degree in Business Administration, Marketing or related field.  Relevant equivalent experience will be considered.

•    Exceptional multitasking abilities and proven experience thriving in a fast-paced work environment. 

•    Excellent communication skills, with proficiency in both written and verbal forms. 

•    A results-driven approach to team leadership, coupled with superior analytical, project management, and problem-solving capabilities. 

•    A collaborative mindset, with a high degree of flexibility and openness to change. 

•    Demonstrable expertise in managing Contract Management processes, with a strong understanding of relevant technology platforms, data management, contract negotiation and regulatory compliance.

•    Proven experience in leading the configuration and deployment of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions, with a track record of driving process improvements and delivering successful system integrations within complex organizational structures.

•    Experience with Apttus is strongly preferred.

•    Understanding of contract data hierarchies and the ability to effectively organize and manage accurate and comprehensive contract databases to ensure accessibility and reliability of contract information across the organization.

•    Advanced skills in CRM and ERP systems, demonstrating a capacity to leverage technology for business efficiency.

•    Experience with public companies or Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) experience is helpful.