ERM: Environmental Resources Management
Senior Contracts Manager
ERM: Environmental Resources Management, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Overview
Open to all locations where ERM has an office: ERM Offices in the United States - Environmental Resources Management (ERM).
ERM is the world’s largest pure-play sustainability consultancy, founded in 1971. As the leading advisory firm dedicated solely to sustainability, we provide unparalleled expertise to help the world’s biggest brands tackle today’s most pressing environmental and business challenges.
We are proud of the culture we’ve built which looks to exemplify our values and behaviors: Expertise is our superpower, Impact ignites us and lastly, together we challenge!
About the Role ERM has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Contracts Manager to join the commercial legal team supporting our largest combined legal region: US, Canada, and LAC. This role will manage two contract administrators and report into the Regional Managing Counsel. It will be accountable for leading and advising on all aspects of the contract lifecycle, in addition to providing advice, guidance and administrative support to the business. Your expertise will be essential in reviewing a broad range of commercial contracts that facilitate ERM’s environmental and sustainability services. These agreements span industries including Technology, Utilities, Diversified Energy, Transportation, Renewable Energy, Finance, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Power, Manufacturing, and Chemicals.
This role will suit someone who is an excellent communicator and a problem solver, with an aptitude for learning and improving processes along the way!
Key Responsibilities Contract Review & Negotiation
Independently review, draft, negotiate, and audit a variety of commercial contracts, including MSAs, licensing agreements, complex subcontractor agreements, SaaS terms, and provisions related to insurance, data protection, and intellectual property.
Ensure contracts align with ERM’s policies, risk management strategies, and business priorities.
Team Management & Process Improvement
Lead and manage two contract administrators, overseeing timely contract reviews and compliance with ERM’s procedures.
Maintain and enhance contract databases and resources, such as legal guides, drafting “playbooks,” and templates.
Provide training on legal processes and contract risks to business and legal partners.
Administrative Support
Assist attorneys with the review, preparation, and revision of commercial agreements, including NDAs, construction, consulting, vendor, service, real estate, subcontractor, teaming, access, and joint venture contracts.
Conduct legal and factual research using tools such as LEXIS/WESTLAW.
Develop efficient processes for managing case files, compliance tracking, and administrative legal functions.
Insurance & Risk Management
Review and revise insurance language in commercial contracts.
Manage insurance-related administrative responsibilities and support risk mitigation efforts.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with departments such as Risk, Finance, Insurance, HR, IT & Privacy, Health & Safety, and Compliance to address legal matters.
Contribute to innovative projects and corporate initiatives, ensuring legal alignment with business strategies.
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and Paralegal certificate/degree required.
Spanish or Portuguese fluency is a plus.
Minimum 5 years of commercial paralegal experience
At least 2 years of insurance experience.
In-depth knowledge of commercial contracts, risk identification, and legal software tools.
Supervisory experience, demonstrating strong leadership and communication skills when working with contract administrators, clients and attorneys.
Strong computer skills, including Power BI, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and document and contract management systems.
Proficiency in legal research tools such as LEXIS/WESTLAW.
Skills/Capabilities
Proactive and self-starter:
Able to work autonomously, employing tact to manage expectations, work, and deadlines
Accuracy:
Exceptional attention to detail & analytical skills
Communication:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Relationship Management:
Ability to be a “team player” and to build and sustain strong working relationships
Collaboration:
Working effectively with other departments and teams to achieve common goals is essential
Leadership:
Leading and managing a small team of contract administrators as well as critical projects
Problem-Solving:
Responding to internal and external legal and insurance questions, partnering with internal counsel to address legal disputes, and developing solutions to contract-related or administrative-process issues
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ERM is the world’s largest pure-play sustainability consultancy, founded in 1971. As the leading advisory firm dedicated solely to sustainability, we provide unparalleled expertise to help the world’s biggest brands tackle today’s most pressing environmental and business challenges.
We are proud of the culture we’ve built which looks to exemplify our values and behaviors: Expertise is our superpower, Impact ignites us and lastly, together we challenge!
About the Role ERM has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Contracts Manager to join the commercial legal team supporting our largest combined legal region: US, Canada, and LAC. This role will manage two contract administrators and report into the Regional Managing Counsel. It will be accountable for leading and advising on all aspects of the contract lifecycle, in addition to providing advice, guidance and administrative support to the business. Your expertise will be essential in reviewing a broad range of commercial contracts that facilitate ERM’s environmental and sustainability services. These agreements span industries including Technology, Utilities, Diversified Energy, Transportation, Renewable Energy, Finance, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Power, Manufacturing, and Chemicals.
This role will suit someone who is an excellent communicator and a problem solver, with an aptitude for learning and improving processes along the way!
Key Responsibilities Contract Review & Negotiation
Independently review, draft, negotiate, and audit a variety of commercial contracts, including MSAs, licensing agreements, complex subcontractor agreements, SaaS terms, and provisions related to insurance, data protection, and intellectual property.
Ensure contracts align with ERM’s policies, risk management strategies, and business priorities.
Team Management & Process Improvement
Lead and manage two contract administrators, overseeing timely contract reviews and compliance with ERM’s procedures.
Maintain and enhance contract databases and resources, such as legal guides, drafting “playbooks,” and templates.
Provide training on legal processes and contract risks to business and legal partners.
Administrative Support
Assist attorneys with the review, preparation, and revision of commercial agreements, including NDAs, construction, consulting, vendor, service, real estate, subcontractor, teaming, access, and joint venture contracts.
Conduct legal and factual research using tools such as LEXIS/WESTLAW.
Develop efficient processes for managing case files, compliance tracking, and administrative legal functions.
Insurance & Risk Management
Review and revise insurance language in commercial contracts.
Manage insurance-related administrative responsibilities and support risk mitigation efforts.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with departments such as Risk, Finance, Insurance, HR, IT & Privacy, Health & Safety, and Compliance to address legal matters.
Contribute to innovative projects and corporate initiatives, ensuring legal alignment with business strategies.
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and Paralegal certificate/degree required.
Spanish or Portuguese fluency is a plus.
Minimum 5 years of commercial paralegal experience
At least 2 years of insurance experience.
In-depth knowledge of commercial contracts, risk identification, and legal software tools.
Supervisory experience, demonstrating strong leadership and communication skills when working with contract administrators, clients and attorneys.
Strong computer skills, including Power BI, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and document and contract management systems.
Proficiency in legal research tools such as LEXIS/WESTLAW.
Skills/Capabilities
Proactive and self-starter:
Able to work autonomously, employing tact to manage expectations, work, and deadlines
Accuracy:
Exceptional attention to detail & analytical skills
Communication:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Relationship Management:
Ability to be a “team player” and to build and sustain strong working relationships
Collaboration:
Working effectively with other departments and teams to achieve common goals is essential
Leadership:
Leading and managing a small team of contract administrators as well as critical projects
Problem-Solving:
Responding to internal and external legal and insurance questions, partnering with internal counsel to address legal disputes, and developing solutions to contract-related or administrative-process issues
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