Sr Contract Specialist
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.
Sr Contract Specialist - Chicago, IL
Manages and demonstrates expertise in the negotiation and life-cycle management of contracts for the National Network Engineering and Operations departments. The role is responsible for developing and sharing best practices within the team, with the stakeholders that the team supports, and with the approvers required in the process. The role is responsible for providing team leadership and for managing project responsibilities. The position requires proven expertise in the contract management field and a successful track record of managing contracts from initiation through execution. Partners with Engineering and Operations leaders to support contracts and agreements ranging from interconnect agreements to master purchase/service agreements. The position is responsible for complying with department and company processes which include administrative data entry and tracking of contracts, analysis of terms, contract negotiation with suppliers / vendors, preparation of executive summaries, and representing the agreement to all reviewers of the agreement. Documents all phases of contract management processes, including document tracking in database, progress reporting, negotiation progress and scorecard feedback reviews. Develops template agreements and standard terms and conditions to be used in agreements to mitigate risk and improve cycle time. Maintains relationships with vendors and facilitates performance evaluation and feedback.
Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for managing all aspects of the contract lifecycle from request to negotiate through execution, including non-disclosure agreements, initial contract generation and review, contract renewals, joint negotiation sessions, legal/accounting reviews, and authorization for execution.
- Responsible for developing standard contract terms and conditions as well as template agreements which maintain US Cellular standards to mitigate risk, reduce costs/increase revenues, and assure service/performance levels are attained.
- Maintain relationships with vendors, report on pending negotiations, and proactively manage contracts approaching expiration and renewal. Maintain 6 month lead time awareness of contract renewals and expirations to enable business decisions around contract strategy.
- Create company/contract profiles, maintain status and scan documents into the contracts database.
- Identify key stakeholders of each agreement, functional owners, and coordinate discussions, as necessary, to develop negotiation strategies, review of contract terms and provisions, coordinate redlines and draft language consistent with legal and business rules and policies.
- Coordinate contract negotiation sessions between USCC and vendor. Participate during negotiation meetings and maintain document control.
- Maintain and report on status of contracts pending execution to status internal stakeholders.
- Maintain performance metrics of the Contract Management team to improve processes and hold lifecycle participants accountable.
- Author executive summaries, as necessary, depicting the terms of the agreement, risks, and commitment levels to those involved in the review and approval processes.
- Coordinate and obtain final approval from Legal, Finance, Regional Team, Contract Manager, and Executives, as required.
- Develop and implement best practices with the team, its business partners and stakeholders.
- Provide subject matter expertise on network and technical aspects required to support the agreement.
- Conduct research and analysis to support regulated issues or best practices.
- Review the business case and terms needed within the agreement to limit financial and operational risk.
- Identify performance and compliance gaps and negotiate improvements to the agreement with the vendor.
- Participate in projects and manage project responsibilities as required.
- Participate in industry (PUC, 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 intercarrier relations and universal service fund matters.
- Bachelor degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or Contract Law, a related discipline or equivalent experience required.
- Working knowledge of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
- 5+ years of telecom experience is preferred, wireless experience desired.
- 5+ years of contract negotiation and administration experience required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are required with a demonstrated interpersonal skill set.
- Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from stakeholders, executives, and vendors.
- Strong computer skills, particularly with word processing, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and database software strongly preferred.
- Detail minded with high level of organization skills and follow-up skills.
- Self-starter who has the ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated experience in establishing, negotiating, and enforcing vendor contracts and service level agreements.
- Possesses and demonstrates a strong customer focus and appreciation of the business impact of contracts.
- Must work well on cross-functional teams and demonstrate creative problem solving skills.
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.