Contracts Manager (Prolaio)
Kardigan
$100,000 - $130,000 / year
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Description
About Us
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Contract Lifecycle Management
- Independently draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts including service agreements, consulting agreements, NDAs, vendor and supplier contracts, and statements of work (SOWs).
- Translate business needs into clear, legally sound contract language, balancing risk mitigation with operational flexibility.
- Ensure contractual terms comply with applicable laws, company policies, and industry regulations.
- Assist with the implementation of a contract lifecycle management (CLM) tool).
- Track key contractual obligations, renewals, and deadlines.
- Identify, assess, and escalate legal and business risks when necessary.
- Drive collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including vendors, service providers, consultants, clinical sites, and collaboration partners.
- Contract Operations & Reporting
- Manage contracts and process form requests from intake to execution and track Manage contracts from intake to execution, tracking status and communicating risks, priorities, and solutions to stakeholders at all levels.
- Develop and prepare key performance metrics and generate periodic reports on contract management.
- Coordinate and manage execution, renewals, and terminations of contracts.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize contracting processes, workflows, operational efficiency, and cross-functional alignment.
- Business Partnership & Training
- Serve as the primary liaison for internal partners and stakeholders on contract negotiations, processes, and operations, including anticipating contracting needs and providing guidance.
- Partner with senior business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to support strategic contracting initiatives and organizational priorities.
- General
- Monitor contract-related activities for compliance with internal policies, industry regulations, and applicable laws.
- Support special projects and contract-related initiatives.
- Perform other duties as requested, including initiatives supporting the broader Kardigan Legal Department.
Qualifications and Preferred Skills
- Bachelor's degree preferred; Paralegal certification preferred.
- At least 7 years of relevant experience with a minimum of 5 years of contract administration within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or medical device industry.
- Proven excellence in contract drafting and negotiation, with a solid foundation in biotech/pharma/med device contract terms and best practices, and the ability to manage complex agreements independently.
- Proficient in contract lifecycle and procurement processes, including experience with contract lifecycle management systems, e-signature platforms, and collaboration platforms; previous CLM implementation and administration experience strongly preferred.
- Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to triage, prioritize, and effectively advance multiple simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent issue spotting, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels inside and outside the organization.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Commitment to integrity, ethical conduct, and handling confidential information with discretion.
- Meticulous attention to detail; able to work independently with good judgment and a strong team-oriented mindset.
Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.
Pay range
Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.
About this role
Kardigan, a cardiovascular disease-focused biotech founded by the team behind MyoKardia's breakthrough cardiac myosin inhibitor, is looking for a Contracts Manager to own the full contract lifecycle for Prolaio while supporting the broader Legal Department. You'll draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements—from vendor and service contracts to consulting agreements and statements of work—while managing CLM tools, tracking obligations and renewals, and identifying contractual risks. This is a highly visible role reporting to the VP of Corporate Law, requiring you to work cross-functionally with business stakeholders, vendors, clinical sites, and leadership across both companies.
The ideal candidate brings at least seven years of contract administration experience, with a minimum of five in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or medical device sector. You'll need strong drafting and negotiation skills grounded in biotech/pharma contract best practices, proficiency with CLM systems and e-signature platforms, and the ability to manage multiple complex agreements independently. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels are essential.
This is a contract position based in Chicago with a hybrid schedule of two to three days on-site, paying $100,000–$130,000 annually. A bachelor's degree and paralegal certification are preferred but not required.
How this employer is doing
solid
- Leadership Change
- Recently Raised Funding
In the news
Kardigan Appoints Google Finance Executive Kristin Reinke to Board of Directors, citybiz
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Pay for this role
$100,000 to $130,000 per year
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