Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a Contract Coordinator who has significant and demonstrated experience reviewing commercial contracts. You will be responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of contracts to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect the University's interests. You will collaborate closely with the attorneys in the office, internal stakeholders, and external parties to assist with the facilitation of effective contract management and provide expert advice. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in contract law, exceptional communication skills, and a proven ability to analyze complex legal issues.
The position will perform a review of contracts for legal sufficiency: contracts for purchases of goods and services, personal service contracts, sponsorship agreements, agreements with government entities, leases and purchases, along with memoranda of understanding, affiliation type agreements, confidentiality agreements and similar documents. In addition, the candidate will review, analyze, and revise independent contractor, licensing agreements, and SaaS agreements.
This is a 100% time, 12-months annual renewable appointment in the academic professional series.
JOB DUTIES:
Under the general direction of the Director of the Transactional Law Services Group, the successful candidate will:
Draft legal documents based on a list of preferred clauses, but also be experienced enough to generate favorable clauses for the University from experience.
Collaborate effectively with other members of the transactional group and all business units.
Oversee the daily work and answer questions for the transactional group’s paralegals.
Protect and mitigate University risks that may arise from contractual commitments.
Review contract terms and update them to fit legal needs or University policies.
Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, compliance, procurement, finance, and business units, to ensure contracts align with business objectives and comply with university policies and legal regulations.
Advise internal stakeholders on legal implications, risks, and potential solutions related to contractual matters.
Conduct legal research to stay updated on changes in contract laws and regulations that may impact the University.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
BA/BS degree
Minimum 8 years of proven experience working as a contracts coordinator or in a similar role, preferably within an in-house corporate legal department.
Highest level of integrity and professionalism
An ability to independently prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Juris Doctorate granted by an ABA accredited law school
Admission to and good standing in the State Bar of Minnesota or eligibility for prompt admission
Exceptional attention to detail and strong analytical skills to identify legal risks and propose effective solutions.
Experience in handling regulatory matters, including FERPA, HIPAA, and GDPR.
The ability to balance legal considerations with practical business needs.
Experience in intellectual property, regulatory compliance, or technology contracts is a plus.
Outstanding analytical and interpersonal skills and cross-cultural competencies
Having worked collegially and professionally in a diverse environment
Experience working in higher education legal department
Computer and word processing expertise, including Word, Excel, GMail and Google Drive
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.
