Senior Contract Specialist

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH MASSCAREERS. PLEASE APPLY VIA THE LINK BELOW:

http://necc.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=193616

About Northern Essex Community College:

THE COLLEGE: Northern Essex Community College (NECC) serves about 5,000 credit students each semester on two campuses located in the beautiful, historic Merrimack Valley region of northeast Massachusetts.  Our suburban Haverhill campus sits on 106 acres near Kenoza Lake and features a Technology Center and an award-winning Student One-Stop Center.  Our urban campus in Lawrence occupies a number of buildings in the heart of downtown.  Most recently, we have constructed a new 44,000 square foot health technologies facility, the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center.  Both campuses are a short drive to Boston and to the beaches and state parks along the coast.

The College has been building an organizational culture that values initiative and innovation, and seeks to identify and develop the strengths in students, faculty, staff, and programs in order to grow and improve.  NECC is also committed to using evidence to guide planning and decision-making.  These values are reflected in the use of Appreciative Inquiry for strategic planning and accreditation; in our investment in strengths-based, institution-wide professional development; and in our ten-year involvement as a Leader College in Achieving the Dream, a national network of community colleges dedicated to using data to close student achievement gaps.

We are also committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.  With over 40% Hispanic students, NECC was the first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in New England.

We seek leaders who are committed to the community college mission, actively engaged in promoting diversity, and prepared to use their unique strengths and innovation with the goal of student success.

Job Description:

POSITION: Full-Time Senior Contract Specialist (Staff Associate): Administration and Finance; Haverhill Campus; 37.5 hours per week; Non-Unit Professional Position.

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Director of Procurement and Contract Management, the College Contract Specialist plays a critical role in mitigating institutional risk while managing the full lifecycle of contracts, from initiation and negotiation to renewal and closeout, while driving process improvements through technology, including AI-powered tools.  This position works in close partnership with the College Contract Managers and directly supports the college's procurement function by ensuring contracts are aligned with purchasing strategies, timelines, and compliance requirements.  The Specialist also develops contract templates, training materials, and educates end users on best practices, contributing to a more efficient, compliant, and informed contract environment.  Responsibilities also include oversight of the college's insurance policies and requirements as part of the institution's broader risk management strategy.

Responsibilities:

Contract Lifecycle Management

• Working under the general supervision of the Director of Procurement and Contract Management, this is a fully on-site position at the Haverhill Campus. Incumbent will travel to the Lawrence Campus as needed.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle, including initiation, execution, renewal, and termination
• Maintain and update the college's contract database for accuracy and accessibility
• Review and redline vendor contracts; draft and manage various contractual documents including:
• Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs)
• License Agreements
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Comptroller Standard State Contracts
• Other institutional agreements as needed
• Analyze and evaluate contract terms and conditions to ensure alignment with college policies, legal standards, and applicable state regulations
• Identify and mitigate risks in contract language, including indemnification, liability, termination clauses, and intellectual property provisions
• Streamline contract workflows using technology solutions such as AI and automation platforms
• Develop standardized contract templates to improve consistency and efficiency

Procurement Support

• Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure contracts support purchasing strategies and timelines
• Track contract expirations and renewals, and support the Director's monthly and annual procurement and contract planning calendar
• Ensure contracts are properly funded and aligned with procurement goals before execution
• Provide documentation and analysis to support sourcing decisions and vendor evaluations

Vendor Negotiations

• Negotiate favorable terms and conditions with vendors
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners

Training And Education

• Create training materials and resources to support contract management best practices
• Educate end users across departments on contract procedures, compliance, and risk mitigation
• Partner with College Contract Managers to align contract practices with institutional goals
• Coordinate with departments to ensure seamless transitions during contract renewals and expirations

Insurance Management

• Manage the college's insurance policies, including auto, international travel, professional liability, cyber, and other institutional coverages
• Coordinate annual insurance renewals and ensure timely submission of required documentation
• Liaise with insurance brokers, carriers, and internal stakeholders to assess coverage needs and resolve claims
• Monitor and evaluate risk exposure across contracts and institutional operations
• Collaborate with legal counsel and risk management personnel to ensure compliance with insurance and indemnification requirements
• Maintain documentation related to insurance certificates, claims, and policy updates in the contract database
• Collect and manage vendor Certificates of Insurance (COIs) as required, ensuring compliance with institutional and contractual requirements

Administrative and Operational Support

• Provide support to the Business Office as needed, including documentation and reporting
• Assist with special projects and cross-functional initiatives related to procurement and contracts

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH MASSCAREERS. PLEASE APPLY VIA THE LINK BELOW:

http://necc.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=193616

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Law, or a related field
• 5 years of experience in contract management
• Strong understating of contract law and compliance standards
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Exceptional organizational skills; proactive, flexible, and able to manage multiple projects and competing demands

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in contract management software (preferably DocuSign CLM), Microsoft Office Suite, and emerging technologies such as AI
• Strong understanding of procurement processes and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in Higher Education environments
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse, urban population in a Hispanic-Serving Institution

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.

Additional Information:

SALARY: Anticipated starting salary range is $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 annually with complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: November 2025

Application Instructions:

TO APPLY: To be considered for this position click on the "Apply Now" button, you will be prompted to set up a new account or login to an existing account. You will be able to upload the following required documents for consideration:

• Cover Letter, describing your qualifications and/or how you may be best suited for the role
• Resume/CV

Review of applications will begin 5 business days from the posting date and will continue until the position is filled.

**Please note that finalist candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three (3) professional references, including current supervisor (or at least two previous supervisors)

DEADLINE: Open until filled

Northern Essex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statues and college policies.  The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence.  Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Elizabete Trelegan (Assistant Director of Human Resources, B-219,978-556-3928/ etrelegan@necc.mass.edu), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.  Northern Essex Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Prospective employees are encouraged to review the College's Annual Security Report (ASR), in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which can be found on the disclosure page of the College's website at: http://www.necc.mass.edu/clery