Contracts Specialist

JOB TITLE: Contracts Specialist

DEPARTMENT:  Contracts & Compliance

LOCATION:  Remote-US-Based Only

EMPLOYMENT: Full time 40/hr. per week

PROGRAM/DIVISION: Business Development 

WORK AUTHORIZATION: US Citizenship/Green Card

**** No 3rd party please***

ABOUT US 

The Canton Group is a privately held, family-owned company with over 25-years of delivering award-winning websites, software, and digital modern secure solutions to Fortune 500 organizations and Government entities.  We take immense pride in offering our employees the benefit of working fully remote while our Headquarters remain open in Baltimore, Maryland. The Canton Group’s presence spans across the nation – including our employees and clients – apply today and join us on our journey of growth!

OUR CORE VALUES:

Intellectually Curious | Committed to doing things the right way | Transparent, Honest, and Fair |Determined to delight our customers | Be Collaborative & Accountable|

POSITION OVERVIEW:

As a Contract Specialist, you will play a crucial role in the procurement process by facilitating the creation, negotiation, and management of contracts between our organization and external parties. You will ensure that contracts comply with legal requirements, company policies, and industry standards while also maximizing value and minimizing risk. The position oversees and facilitates the entire contract lifecycle including creation of drafts, revisions, execution, maintenance, and contract compliance. This position is also responsible for developing and implementing effective processes to ensure the company's operations align with relevant policies, laws, and contract requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Contract Management:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including but not limited to procurement agreements, service contracts, vendor agreements, and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

• Ensure contracts adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, company policies, and industry standards. Identify potential risks and propose mitigation strategies.

• Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to establish mutually beneficial contractual terms and resolve any disputes or issues that arise during the contract lifecycle.

• Oversee the execution, modification, and termination of contracts. Maintain accurate records and documentation throughout the contract lifecycle.

• Conduct cost analysis and evaluation of contract terms to optimize financial outcomes and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

• Negotiate favorable terms and conditions while balancing the needs of all parties involved. Strive to achieve cost savings, favorable payment terms, and appropriate service levels.

• Cultivate strong relationships with internal stakeholders, legal counsel, vendors, and other external partners to facilitate effective contract management and achieve business objectives.

• Ensure the correct labor rates are being used and work in conjunction with the program manager to confirm bill rates or fixed rates prior to starting the contract. Make updates to Unanet as necessary throughout the course of the contract that reflect the most accurate information agreed on in the contract.

• Assist with opening, tracking, and closing bonds in relation to contract requirements.

• Manage state business registrations for proposals and submission sites.

• Provide support and advice on new potential business opportunities.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains within the contract management process. Develop and implement best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as needed.

Compliance:

• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance programs to ensure adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.

• Conduct regular audits and risk assessments to identify compliance gaps and recommend corrective actions.

• Provide training and guidance to employees on compliance-related matters, fostering a culture of compliance throughout the organization. Additional training as necessary to ensure best practices are followed, specific contract details are adhered to, the state of work is followed, and overall management of contracts is handled by the program/project manager.

• Establish effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track compliance activities and address issues proactively.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential risks related to contracts, compliance, and legal matters and develop risk mitigation strategies.

• Conduct due diligence on third-party vendors and contractors to assess their compliance with contractual obligations.

• Collaborate with internal teams, such as Finance, Human Resources, and Business Development to evaluate risks associated with business activities and develop risk mitigation plans.

• Ensure appropriate insurance coverage is in place to protect the organization's interests.

• Engage and communicate with legal partners as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure contracts and compliance initiatives align with overall business goals.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external partners, vendors, and clients regarding contractual and compliance matters.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with external legal counsel, regulatory authorities, and industry associations.
• Provide reporting of various MBE requirements based on contractual obligations to partners, localities, etc.
• Effective management of partners to ensure contracts accurately reflect the work outlined in the contract, the onboarding of the new partners is thorough and allows for a complete understanding of TCG processes and expectations, continuous ongoing management to ensure contract compliance, and lead an annual evaluation process to provide feedback to partners that ensures the obligations are being met.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Law, or a related field required.
• Paralegal or Contract Management certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing government contracts is required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Exemplify a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of technology
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, such as legal counsel, procurement teams, and government agencies.
• Experience working in contract management software, with exposure to Unanet preferred (but not required).
• Ability to apply analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Possesses strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects with shifting deadlines.
• Capable of professionally managing confidential information.
• Must have strong computer skills and knowledge of common programs such as Microsoft Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time
• May be required to work on-call or long hours, if necessary, in case of serious network malfunction.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT: 

It is the policy of the Canton Group to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by the company where appropriate. As part of the company's equal employment opportunity policy, the Canton Group will also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities. 

Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation or any type of retaliation because they have (1) filed a complaint; (2) assisted or participated in an investigation, compliance review, hearing or any other activity related to the administration of any federal, state or local law requiring equal employment opportunity; (3) opposed any act or practice made unlawful by any federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity; or (4) exercised any other legal right protected by federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity. 

The above-mentioned policies shall be periodically brought to the attention of supervisors and shall be appropriately administered. It is the responsibility of each supervisor of the company to ensure affirmative implementation of these policies to avoid any discrimination in employment. All employees are expected to recognize these policies and cooperate with their implementation. Violation of these policies is a disciplinary offense.