Lead end-to-end customer contract lifecycle: draft, negotiate, execute, and manage MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, licensing, and data/privacy addenda. Partner with Legal, Finance, and M&A to standardize and scale contracting across SaaS/PaaS and services, oversee CLM systems, resolve escalations, train stakeholders, and mentor junior team members to ensure compliance and business enablement.
Position Type: Full-Time (Primarily Remote)Salary: $130,000 - $150,000Join our team at Lemnis! Lemnis is a public charity dedicated to harnessing transformative change to expand learning for all. We are excited to announce a new opportunity for a Sr. Contracts Manager to join our innovative, forward-thinking, and growing organization. At Lemnis, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member can thrive. If you are passionate about expanding learning for all, eager to make a meaningful impact, and ready to take on new challenges, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and be a part of our journey!Position SummaryAt Lemnis, we believe that the world is changing in exciting ways. It's up to us to create more equitable, flexible, and learner-centered systems that empower young people to rise to the challenges and opportunities of the future. Lemnis is seeking a highly skilled and adaptable Senior Contracts Manager to support our end-to-end customer contracts lifecycle, including contract drafting, negotiation, and management. The Senior Contracts Manager will report to the Associate General Counsel and work cross-functionally to support our internal teams and customers in areas such as software licensing, professional services, reseller agreements, and various other EdTech product offerings. This role will be responsible for customer-facing support as well as ensuring internal operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and scalability as we integrate new mission-aligned organizations into Lemnis through M&A.Responsibilities
- Contract Lifecycle Management: Oversee the end-to-end customer contracting process, from initial drafting and redlining to execution and post-contract compliance.
- Strategic Adaptability: Collaborate with the Legal and M&A teams to integrate new divisions, standardizing contracting processes while maintaining the flexibility required for diverse product offerings (SaaS, Services, PaaS etc.).
- Drafting & Negotiation: Draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), data privacy addenda, NDAs, and licensing agreements.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a key point of contact between Legal, Finance, and internal division leads. Ensure all contracts align with internal legal standards, guidelines, and risk tolerance.
- Escalation & Resolution: Serve as a subject matter expert for unique partnership requirements and contractual disputes. Act as the primary escalation point for contract issues, elevating matters in accordance with internal Legal guidelines to the Associate General Counsel, while providing proactive recommendations for resolution to ensure appropriate risk mitigation.
- Business Enablement & Training: Act as a strategic, service-oriented partner to division sales support and other internal teams, proactively building strong collaborative relationships to navigate contract friction. Develop and deliver training sessions to empower stakeholders, simplify contracting workflows, and ensure efficient, solutions-focused outcomes.
- Process Improvement: Develop and continuously refine and "right-size" internal templates, and contract playbooks to support a rapidly growing, mission-driven organization.
- System Oversight: Maintain and leverage contract management systems (e.g., Salesforce, Atlassian JSM, or other CLM platforms) to ensure data accuracy, reporting, and accessibility.
- Team Mentorship: Collaborate with and provide guidance to junior legal team members or support staff as the team grows, ensuring operational continuity and mentorship.
- Experience: 7-10 years of experience in contract management or legal operations, preferably within technology or education sectors. Demonstrated experience navigating the EdTech landscape, including contracting with state/district entities and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), is strongly preferred.
- Expertise: Deep understanding of software licensing (SaaS/PaaS) and commercial contracting agreements.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Legal Studies, or a related field; Juris Doctor (JD) or paralegal certification is a significant plus.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to "issue spot," anticipate risks, and provide balanced advice regarding business objectives vs. legal exposure.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal terms into actionable business guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
- Adaptability: Proven track record of working in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift rapidly, particularly in organizations undergoing growth or integration/M&A.
- Mission Alignment: A genuine passion for education and a commitment to Lemnis’s mission of empowering the "Unlimited Learner."
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