Manager of Contracts Management Job in Chicago, Illinois US
It all stems from the values of our “Dynamic Organization.” Values based on a culture of respect, integrity and trust. Fostered by leaders who care, who treat their team well and dedicate themselves to providing what it takes to enhance the customer experience.
Manager of Contracts Management
Responsible for providing life cycle management of all vendor relationships in Network Engineering and Operations. This role defines and leads the strategy of the Contract Management team to ensure services, equipment, solutions, and processes are implemented and managed successfully. This includes contract negotiation, performance feedback and management of vendors and suppliers, as well as contract renewals and settlement negotiations. The scope of the position includes hardware, software and service agreements, ranging from network equipment to telephone company interconnection. The value of the contracts managed by the team range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars annually. The Contract Manager will be directly involved in strategic negotiations for the high value agreements. The role will provide sourcing support for individual markets and departments as well as the enterprise which requires continuous integration of teams of Engineering leaders, contract negotiators, and project managers. Throughout the process the role partners with finance, legal, and accounting to develop strategies to evaluate and mitigate risk, and best practices to improve negotiating leverage.
- Vendor selection and deal execution: The position is responsible for ensuring that contracts are effectively negotiated and established. Responsible for setting standard contract terms and provisions, maintaining relationships with key suppliers and vendors, reporting on pending negotiations and proactively managing contracts approaching their expiration and renewal dates. Upon execution, the role is responsible for ensuring that contract documents are tracked according to process requirements and managed consistent with internal controls in place. Support is provided on regulatory issues in partnership with the Government Affairs group, and telco billing disputes related to contractual terms are supported in partnership with the Telco Billing group.
- Strategic planning: Responsible for leading the strategy of the Contract Management team to ensure we have the right sourcing in place, that we are effectively managing our vendors, and that the right processes are in place to support our business.
- Accountability: The position is responsible for providing visibility to our business partners regarding the contract management lifecycle and ensuring that supplier relationships are producing the agreed upon results. Periodic scorecards are produced, periodic performance and contract reviews are facilitated, and reporting to meet the needs of the business stakeholders is provided.
- Develop strategies to effectively lead the Contract Management team to successfully manage the contract lifecycle, meet the needs of its business partners, and deliver the results expected from the vendor.
- Provide leadership and manage a team of contract negotiators.
- Take lead in negotiating new strategic or high-value contracts and agreements, in partnership with the functional business owner. Includes review of business and legal terms compared to company standard language. Manage all aspects of the contract negotiation and execution process, including initial contact, joint negotiation sessions, legal, finance, and accounting review when required, and final executive execution.
- Maintain contract tracking database with required information. Review exception reports and provide reporting updates to management and business partners on the status of pending and upcoming contracts.
- Create and manage a lifecycle process approach to contracts and vendor relationships. This includes standardizing regular performance and feedback reviews for key vendors, identifying appropriate times for renegotiating terms and assisting with the escalation of vendor performance issues.
- Proactively review contracts scheduled for renewal or expiration. Maintain six month lead time awareness of contract renewals and expirations to enable business decisions around contract strategy.
- Initiate contract negotiations for terminating contracts, to obtain better terms conditions on exiting contracts or for new contacts.
- Review RFQs and multi-year procurement packages involving contractual services for all data network elements and other network infrastructure.
- Take lead with internal stakeholders, including legal and accounting teams, to review terms of pending agreements and ensure maximum value and minimum risk for the organization.
- Measure timeframes for contract review and completion. Ensure timely turnaround and responsive handling of pending contracts, consistent with best business practices and stakeholder expectations. Prioritize contracts and negotiations as necessary depending on the business needs.
- Author executive summaries of the terms conditions, risks and commitment levels to the senior executive team.
- Compile, analyze and maintain data for the preparation of a variety of metric-based reports highlighting the value and adherence to the agreed upon performance levels stated in the agreements contracts.
- Continually research best practices and new methods for reducing costs and risks, and for improving processes associated with contract negotiation.
- Participate in industry, CTIA and FCC, meetings on issues having an impact to the business and its future. Act in partnership with other groups to manage and respond to regulatory issues affecting operations such as inter-carrier relations and universal service fund matters.
- Monitor ILEC tariff filings in the states we operate.
- Set US Cellular standard terms and conditions for future interconnection agreements and transport contracts.
- Manage and build relationships across organizational boundaries, with the goal of understanding the business drivers, constraints, and influences that impact desired contractual language and service level measurements.
- Bachelor degree in related business/technology area or equivalent experience required; Masters or MBA degree desired.
- Working knowledge of Telecommunications Act of 1996 and mutual compensation regulations.
- 10+ years of telecom experience is required and wireless experience preferred.
- 7 or more years of contract negotiation experience required.
- 7 or more years in a leadership role required, with a minimum of 2 direct reports.
- Strong computer skills, particularly with word processing and database software strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in establishing, negotiating, and enforcing vendor contracts and service level agreements.
- Demonstrated experience with creating and implementing strategy.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are required with a demonstrated interpersonal skill set.
- Detail minded with high level of organization skills and follow-up skills.
- Self-starter who has the ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Possesses and demonstrates a strong customer focus and appreciation of business impact of contracts.
As the nation’s fifth-largest wireless carrier, we give you the opportunity to connect with your fellow associates, as well as with your customers. You’ll receive healthcare starting day one, excellent training and development, and the tools you need to address each challenge with confidence. Beyond these, there are also the rewards and recognition of a collaborative, resource-rich environment where people love their work.
We suggest taking a closer look at U.S. Cellular and our way of building careers. We can speak from experience about the satisfaction you’ll feel, but our faces really say it all.
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U.S. Cellular® is a drug-free workplace and committed to diversity and inclusion.