Sr. Contracts Specialist

Job Summary

The Senior Contracts Specialist plays a critical role in managing all aspects of the contracting lifecycle (including contracts, and associated agreements) for primarily supporting Global Service Center (GSC) Business Units, with their contracting needs. This includes reviewing and analyzing contract terms; ensuring contract compliance and managing risk across the lifecycle; maintaining the contracts management repository; supporting contract negotiations; and providing contracting guidance to the business.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance requirements in nonprofit or public sector contracting.
• Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and drafting skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to Identify and mitigate contractual risk proactively.
• Strong command of contract structure and regulatory compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Builds trusted partnerships across functions.
• Upholds high ethical and compliance standards.
• Ensures documentation accuracy and database integrity.

Responsibilities

Contract Review & Administration

• Review, draft, and administer contracts, subcontracts, task orders, amendments, NDAs, MOUs, and consulting agreements.
• Analyze contract terms and conditions to identify legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Propose revisions and alternative language to mitigate risk and ensure compliance.
• Ensure consistency with regulations and internal policies.
• Support full lifecycle contract management from intake through closeout.

Contract Negotiation Support

• Support leadership in Grants, Contracts and Procurement (GCP) in negotiating contract terms with vendors, partners, and contractors.
• Prepare negotiation summaries, risk matrices, and recommended fallback positions.
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Risk & Assurance, and program teams during negotiations as necessary and appropriate.
• Document negotiation outcomes and ensure final agreements reflect approved terms.

Compliance & Risk Oversight

• Ensure all contracts adhere to applicable regulatory frameworks and organizational standards.
• Conduct compliance reviews prior to contract execution.
• Identify contractual risk exposures and escalate high-risk issues appropriately.
• Support audits and internal reviews related to contracting processes.
• Monitor key contractual obligations and ensure timely renewals, amendments, and closeouts.
• Oversee signature authorization and agreement execution compliance.

Contracts Database & Documentation Management

• Maintain and update the Contracts Logix database (or equivalent contract management system).
• Coordinate payment verification with Accounts Payable and business owners.
• Ensure accurate entry of contract data, milestones, deliverables, and financial thresholds.
• Generate periodic reports on contract status, expirations, risk categories, and compliance indicators.
• Maintain contract repository integrity and ensure secure documentation practices.

Business Unit Support

• Serve as the primary contracting liaison to assigned business units within GSC.
• Provide guidance on contracting processes, templates, and internal approval workflows.
• Develop and deliver training to internal stakeholders on contracting best practices.
• Promote standardized contracting tools and templates to increase efficiency.
• Support business owners in vendor contract disputes and recommend escalation.

Process Improvement

• Support development and refinement of contracting SOPs, templates, and playbooks.
• Contribute to strengthening internal controls within the contracting process.
• Assist in developing KPIs and dashboards for contract performance monitoring.
• Support strategic initiatives related to contracting transformation or system upgrades.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in areas such as Business Administration, Law, Procurement or related field required
• Master's Degree is a plus.
• Typically, 3-5 years of progressive experience in contract administration in a global organization.
• Prior experience in a complex, matrixed organization, with the ability to scale processes in a global, professional, service organization.
• Expert knowledge in USG contracting regulations and general best practice standards on contract management
• Previous legal office experience or drafting agreements is a plus.

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the Heartbeat Values, Safeguarding and associated policies.

Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and…