Contract Specialist at The Knot Worldwide in Chevy Chase, Maryland

Job Description:

ABOUT THE ROLE AND OUR TEAM:

We are a collaborative global legal team that enjoys working on fun and challenging projects together. We are looking for an experienced, business-minded, and motivated contract specialist to oversee and manage all spend-related contract needs for our global company. This role is ideal for an in-house contract specialist who is experienced in technology and business-related contract drafting and negotiation. You will play a pivotal role in managing and negotiating spend contracts, ensuring legal compliance and operational efficiency. You will work closely with the Procurement team to streamline contract processes, support business objectives, and ensure that all agreements align with our company's policies and risk tolerance. Additionally, you will manage our Senior Legal Assistant, providing guidance and support in contract management. The successful candidate will also collaborate with other cross-functional teams including our FP&A, Accounting, InfoSec, and Enterprise teams to ensure compliance and efficient business processes. This position will report to our VP, Global Legal Affairs based in Spain.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of spend-related contracts, including vendor agreements, master services agreements contracts, and data processing agreements.
• Work closely with the Procurement team to ensure that contracts are aligned with operational needs, budgets, and strategic goals.
• Manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle for the legal team, from initial request through execution and renewal, ensuring timely and accurate completion of all contracts.
• Identify and mitigate risks in contractual agreements, ensuring compliance with company policies, local regulations, and international legal standards.
• Develop and implement contract templates, guidelines, and playbooks to enhance efficiency and consistency across the business.
• Supervise and mentor direct report, providing direction on contract management and supporting their professional development.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting of contract negotiations, approvals, and compliance measures, including management of online contract repository.

• 7-9 years of experience in a contract specialist or similar role, including experience with contract management and negotiations, legal operations, or a related field
• Demonstrable experience handling the Key Responsibilities listed above, including strong understanding of contract law and formation, the ability to proactively identify legal issues and mitigate risks and exposure, and extensive experience with complex contract management.
• Ability to manage and mentor team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment both within and across teams.
• Skilled at managing contract workflows and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented with an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong and effective contract drafting and negotiating skills with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of COUPA or other Contract Management Platform is a strong plus.