Come join our Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL) corporate team! We are a great place to work and offer many employee-friendly perks and benefits. GSL is the manager of the Goddard School franchise system that supports over 650 schools which delivers a high-quality, play-based learning program to families all over the United States. Our successful franchise business model supports franchisees through partnerships with teams of seasoned professionals who draw over 30 years of business, marketing, IT, franchise, finance, and education experience. Because of this, The Goddard School has grown into an institution that parents and families trust, reaching more than 90,000 students in 38 states – and growing.

Summary

As a Senior Contract Specialist within the Legal Department at Goddard, you will lead the full contract lifecycle, including contract drafting, review, execution, renewal/termination, and reporting.

The successful candidate will be a high energy and detail-oriented individual who is self-directed and able to easily adapt to multiple and changing priorities, as well as high volume of work sometimes under quick deadlines. The successful candidate will also possess excellent research, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manages the contract lifecycle for each vendor agreement from inception through execution, including renewals, amendments, and terminations.
• Draft, reviews, and manage complex contracts and amendments; support and lead negotiations (with oversight from Corporate Counsel where needed) to drive favorable terms.
• Supports business units in reviewing and revising business terms.
• Coordinates internal approval of all agreements with the business units, IT, and Legal, as applicable.
• Tracks, organizes, and retains electronic files of the fully executed agreements and related documents in accordance with company processes.
• Acts as initial point of contact for guidance to internal teams concerning contract processes, requirements, and contract data/information
• Maintains contract database with accurate contract abstract data.
• Provides reporting on vendor contracts as needed.
• Maintains library of contract templates, provisions and terms meeting company’s business needs.
• Develops and provide internal training plans to business units on contracting processes and best practices.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Experience and Competencies

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Legal Studies, or related field or equivalent work experience.
• A minimum of 7 years cumulative experience in contract drafting, review, negotiation and lifecycle management, preferably in a corporate or legal environment..
• Experience in contract life cycle management with various types of contracts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage senior leadership, business stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a dynamic and fast paced environment
• Must be proactive, detail and results oriented, highly organized, and process driven

Highly Desired

• Experience using contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and/or workflow automation tools; ability to improve processes with technology.
• Corporate legal or paralegal background preferred; experience in-house legal/contracts team is a plus.

There will be periodic requirements to travel for in-person events, at the discretion of your manager or the requirement of the company