Contracts Manager

About Norstella

At Norstella, our mission is simple: to help our clients bring life-saving therapies to market quickerand help patients in need.
Founded in 2022, but with history going back to 1939, Norstella unites best-in-class brands to help clients navigate the complexities at each step of the drug development life cycle and get the right treatments to the right patients at the right time.Each organization (Citeline, Evaluate, MMIT, Panalgo, The Dedham Group) delivers must-have answers for critical strategic and commercial decision-making. Together, via our market-leading brands, we help our clients:

• Citeline – accelerate the drug development cycle
• Evaluate – bring the right drugs to market
• MMIT – identify barrier to patient access
• Panalgo – turn data into insight faster
• The Dedham Group – think strategically for specialty therapeutics

By combining the efforts of each organization under Norstella, we can offer an even wider breadth of expertise, cutting-edge data solutions and expert advisory services alongside advanced technologies such as real-world data, machine learning and predictive analytics.
As one of the largest global pharma intelligence solution providers, Norstella has a footprint across the globe with teams of experts delivering world class solutions in the USA, UK, The Netherlands, Japan, China and India.

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

As the Senior Contracts Manager, you will assume the following responsibilities:

• Strategic Contract Negotiations: Lead, manage, and negotiate highly complex commercial contracts with minimal oversight, ensuring that key business objectives are met while minimizing risk. Contracts include sales agreements, vendor contracts, strategic partnerships, licensing agreements, and more.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Serve as a legal advisor to key business leaders, providing strategic counsel on complex legal and commercial issues that impact business operations, profitability, and growth. Navigate multi-departmental input and execute high-level negotiations that balance risk and reward.
• Contract Lifecycle Management: Implement advanced contract management processes and systems. Oversee the entire contract lifecycle, from negotiation to execution and renewal, ensuring all contracts comply with internal policies and external regulations.
• Training and Development: Design and deliver training for management, internal teams (e.g., sales, procurement, and operations), and external stakeholders on advanced contract negotiation strategies, risk management, and compliance requirements. Ensure knowledge transfer to enhance organizational capabilities in contract management.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Take proactive measures to identify potential risks in contractual terms and advise on necessary strategies to mitigate such risks. Develop and implement risk mitigation protocols and strategies in collaboration with other senior stakeholders.
• Internal Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with the Head of Contract Management, Legal Counsel, General Counsel, and other senior executives to develop internal policies and best practices for contract negotiation, ensuring that contracts align with corporate strategy and protect the company’s interests.
• Process Optimization: Continuously analyze and refine the contract negotiation and management processes to ensure maximum efficiency, and enhance overall compliance. Drive process innovation that accelerates contract cycles without compromising quality.
• Dispute Resolution and Legal Advisory: Lead the resolution of complex contractual disputes, working with the legal team and senior leadership to devise strategies that protect the company’s interests while fostering positive business relationships. Provide sound legal and commercial advice on contractual obligations, potential breaches, and enforcement.
• Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Ensure that all contracts adhere to relevant local, regional, and international regulations. Stay updated on industry trends, legal developments, and compliance requirements to ensure the organization’s contracts remain legally sound and business-focused.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting: Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders in the contracting process. Prepare and deliver reports, updates, and legal insights to senior leadership on contractual risks, opportunities, and performance metrics.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• A degree in Law, Business, or a related field preferred (Advanced Law degree strongly preferred)
• At least 7-10 years of relevant experience in a complex corporate legal environment, with a proven track record in negotiating high-value and high-complexity commercial contracts, regulatory matters, and corporate governance
• Expertise in key legal domains including corporate law, commercial contracts, licensing agreements, dispute resolution, data protection, and regulatory compliance of United States or United Kingdom law required
• Strong leadership capabilities, driving strategic decision-making, and influencing cross-functional collaboration
• In-depth experience with contract lifecycle management systems and advanced tools for tracking, managing, and reporting on contracts
• Exceptional negotiation skills with the ability to manage challenging and high-stakes situations, resolving complex issues with innovative solutions
• Proficiency in risk management strategies, contract law, corporate compliance, and legal best practices
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders effectively
• Understanding of United States or United Kingdom law required
• Full professional proficiency in English, both written and verbal, is essential. Preference will be given to candidates with an official language proficiency certification (e.g. ACTFL or CEFR rating of Advanced (B2 or higher))
• Proficiency in MS Office required
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to prioritize tasks, meet tight deadlines, and manage high-pressure situations while ensuring quality and compliance

Additional Requirements

• Work Hours: Availability to work in remote model from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST, with flexibility for occasional out-of-hours work based on project deadlines and stakeholder requirements

• Ability to handle a large portfolio of complex contracts while maintaining a high level of attention to detail
• Strong ability to think commercially and offer practical legal advice that aligns with the company's strategic goals

Our guiding principles for success at Norstella

01: Bold, Passionate, Mission-First

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Provident Fund
• Reimbursement of Certification Expenses
• Gratuity
• 24x7 Health Desk

Norstella is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. Our ethos is to respect and value people’s differences, to help everyone achieve more at work as well as in their personal lives so that they feel proud of the part they play in our success. We believe that all decisions about people at work should be based on the individual’s abilities, skills, performance and behavior and our business requirements. Norstella operates a zero tolerance policy to any form of discrimination, abuse or harassment.
Sometimes the best opportunities are hidden by self-doubt. We disqualify ourselves before we have the opportunity to be considered. Regardless of where you came from, how you identify, or the path that led you here- you are welcome. If you read this job description and feel passion and excitement, we’re just as excited about you.