Director of Contract Management

Northwest Bank • Columbus, OH

5d

About The Position

The Director of Contract Management plays a key role in managing the full contract management life cycle within the Corporate Procurement function–from intake and drafting through negotiation, execution, and post-signature tracking. This role is essential to ensuring third-party agreements are strategically developed, thoroughly reviewed, and executed with precision–balancing speed, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and business alignment. The Director of Contract Management exercises independent judgement and discretion in reviewing and negotiating legal and commercial terms to ensure contracts align with organization policies, regulatory requirements, and risk tolerance. This position partners closely with Legal, Risk Domain Experts, and business stakeholders to streamline workflows, reduce cycle times, and improve visibility into supplier obligations. This role directly supports Corporate Procurement's mandate to establish scalable, efficient, and risk-conscious contracting practices that advance strategic objects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree In business, legal studies, supply chain, or a related field.
• 8 - 12 years Experience supporting contract lifecycle activities within Procurement, Legal, or a related function
• 8 - 12 years Managerial experience
• Demonstrated experience drafting, redlining, and negotiating commercial agreements with third-party suppliers
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to advance contracting objectives and support business needs
• Experience in applying contracting best practices to improve efficiency and reduce legal and operational risk
• Experience in managing a various contract type, including professional services, technology, and data-related agreements
• Working knowledge of procurement-related policies and regulatory requirements, particularly within regulated industries such as financial services
• Familiarity with internal governance processes and working with cross-functional review partners, including Legal, Risk, and IT Security

Nice To Haves

• Experience collaborating with suppliers and resolving contract-related discrepancies is a plus
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel for advanced data tracking, reporting, and analysis
• Experience with e-procurement platforms (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa, Workday)

Responsibilities

• Manage the full contract management life cycle – from intake and drafting through negotiation, execution, and post-signature tracking
• Draft, redline, and review a variety of commercial agreements, including but not limited to: Master Services Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Software Licenses, and Software as a Service Agreements
• Lead or support contract negotiations with suppliers, ensuring terms are commercially sound, compliant with internal standards, and aligned with business objectives
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders (Legal, Risk, IT, Business Units) to understand needs, communicate risks, and ensure smooth contract execution
• Serve as a key point of contact for suppliers during the contracting process, fostering collaboration and accountability
• Identify contractual risks and propose practical solutions that protect the organization without impeding operational goals
• Maintain organized records and support contract version control, status tracking, and key date monitoring
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including playbook development, process enhancements, and future implementation of contract management tools
• Educate stakeholders on contracting standards, approval workflows, and policy requirements
• Adopt and apply contracting best practices to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risk, and drive – consistency – ensuring all activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
• Work as part of a team
• Work with on-site equipment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager