[Hiring] Contracts Manager @Alkami Technology

Role Description

The Contracts Manager is an experienced contracts professional who independently manages complex commercial negotiations and serves as a trusted operational advisor to business stakeholders across the organization. This role owns high-value and non-standard agreements throughout the contract lifecycle, exercises significant independent judgment in negotiation strategy and playbook application, and partners closely with Legal to balance commercial objectives with contractual risk. The Sr Contracts Manager influences contracting practices through process improvements, playbook governance, and mentorship while helping scale efficient, consistent contracting operations across the business.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

• Lead negotiation of complex customer, vendor, procurement, SaaS, and strategic commercial agreements by evaluating contractual, operational, and commercial risks while balancing business objectives.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of complex commercial agreements by drafting, reviewing, negotiating, executing, amending, and interpreting contractual obligations with minimal supervision.
• Serve as the primary contracts advisor for assigned business units by providing guidance on contract structure, negotiation strategy, and approved commercial positions.
• Negotiate non-standard contractual terms by applying advanced judgment within established playbooks and escalating novel legal risks to Legal when appropriate.
• Partner with Sales, Procurement, Finance, Information Security, Privacy, Product, Compliance, Risk, and Legal teams by facilitating efficient negotiations that support strategic business objectives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks by recommending practical business solutions and appropriate escalation strategies for legal review.
• Lead resolution of complex contractual disputes and negotiation challenges by collaborating with internal stakeholders and counterparties to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes.
• Mentor Associate Contracts Managers and Contracts Managers by providing technical guidance, reviewing negotiation strategies, and sharing best practices for contract administration and stakeholder management.
• Coordinate with Legal on high-risk negotiations by preparing contract summaries, documenting key issues, and ensuring timely escalation of legal matters requiring attorney review.
• Maintain accurate contract records and reporting by ensuring agreement documentation, metadata, obligations, and audit trails comply with company governance standards.
• Represent the Contracts Management function during cross-functional initiatives by providing subject matter expertise, improving contracting operations, and supporting organizational scalability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing commercial contracts, contract negotiations, legal operations, procurement, or contract management functions with demonstrated responsibility for independently negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience; paralegal certificate or J.D. is a plus but not required.
• Extensive experience negotiating complex commercial agreements within established contracting authority.
• Advanced knowledge of commercial contracting principles, negotiation strategy, and contract lifecycle management.
• Strong understanding of contractual risk assessment and appropriate legal escalation practices.
• Excellent written communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Experience developing contract templates, negotiation playbooks, and operational contracting procedures.
• Ability to independently manage high-value negotiations across multiple business functions.
• Experience using contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms and contract reporting tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and process improvement capabilities.

Desired Skills

• In-house contracts or legal operations experience supporting a fintech, banking, financial services, or SaaS organization.
• Experience leading contract lifecycle management process improvements or CLM implementations.
• Experience mentoring contracts professionals or coordinating cross-functional contracting initiatives.
• Knowledge of procurement, vendor management, privacy, or information security contracting.
• Paralegal certificate, contract management certification, or equivalent professional credential.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is: $79,600 - $99,500

Benefits

• Remote-first environment.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Diverse and inclusive culture.

Work Authorization

We cannot offer employment sponsorship at this time. Candidates must be eligible to work in the US for full-time employment.

Recruiters

We are not looking for outside recruiting firms to help us in this search. Thank you for understanding.

Pay Transparency

As of January 1, 2023, new states and locales have enacted pay equity laws that require more pay transparency by employers in the following states: California, Colorado (effective January 1, 2021), Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington.

The Important Stuff

Alkami Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Alkami is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Alkami are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Alkami will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Alkami encourages applicants of all ages.