Contracts Manager
Prolaio
$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.
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply directly on Kardigan's Career Page:
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan/jobs/5452856008Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.
Pay range $100,000 to $130,000
About this role
Kardigan, a cardiovascular disease-focused biotech company, 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 service contracts and NDAs to vendor agreements and statements of work—while managing implementation of a contract lifecycle management tool, tracking obligations and renewals, and identifying legal and business risks. This is a visible role that requires you to work across business units, vendors, clinical sites, and leadership to translate operational needs into sound legal language.
The ideal candidate brings at least seven years of relevant experience, with a minimum of five in contract administration within pharma, biotech, or medical devices. You'll need proven skill in drafting and negotiating complex agreements, familiarity with CLM systems and e-signature platforms, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-moving environment. A paralegal certification and bachelor's degree are preferred; strong organizational skills, issue spotting, and the ability to communicate clearly across all levels are essential.
Based in Chicago on a hybrid schedule (2–3 days per week), this contract position reports to the VP of Corporate Law and offers a salary range of $100,000–$130,000.
Typical pay for this role
$100,000
Typical range: $80,000 to $140,000
This role's local market on JobMinglr
Pay for this role
$100,000 to $130,000 per year
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