Expert Contract Manager (Oakland)

Expert Contract Manager

Location: Hybrid Oakland, CA (13 days per week onsite)

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

We are seeking an experienced Expert Contract Manager to lead the management of strategic third-party contracts. This role is critical in ensuring contract compliance, managing key milestones, and driving performance through ongoing evaluation, audit, and improvement. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in contract lifecycle management, vendor performance, and cross-functional collaboration in complex environments, particularly those involving large-scale digital or infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on all contracting matters, advising internal stakeholders and guiding contract strategy.
• Manage complex agreements, change orders, and risk mitigation efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead contract negotiations, including major dispute resolution and settlement discussions.
• Track contract performance using advanced scorecards and KPIs; provide quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) oversight.
• Develop and implement contract audit plans to ensure compliance and minimize value leakage.
• Analyze agreements to identify potential compliance risks or discrepancies; lead efforts to resolve issues.
• Conduct internal audits and inspections to verify adherence to contract terms.
• Provide training to stakeholders on contract policies, compliance practices, and issue resolution.
• Lead cross-functional projects or continuous improvement initiatives focused on contract management processes.
• Communicate compliance obligations and updates across internal departments and with vendors.
• Prepare detailed reports on contract compliance, performance outcomes, and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain a centralized tracking system for contracts, deliverables, and obligations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 7 years of direct experience in contract management, with a strong track record overseeing complex sourcing strategies, software/system integrator agreements, and contract compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage contracts in digital transformation initiatives or large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in KPI management, audit processes, and supplier performance oversight.
• Strong working knowledge of contract terms, financial implications, and vendor relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in a relevant field.
• Industry certifications such as:
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• Lean Six Sigma (Yellow Belt or higher)
• Experience in:
• Quality assurance and control of contract deliverables
• Contract compliance audits and performance improvement programs
• Transmission pipeline construction or utility infrastructure
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local regulations impacting utility operations.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to handle conflict constructively and drive win-win outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and contract platforms such as Ariba, SAP, SRM, and scheduling software.