Sr. Specialist, Contracts at NextDecade in Houston, TX

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain, the Sr. Specialist, Contracts is responsible for leading the end-to-end management of complex contracts in a shared services capacity, supporting Corporate Functions and Operations. This role focuses on contracts across HR, Regulatory, Marketing, Commercial, Travel, and other shared services functions, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Professional Service Agreements (PSAs), consulting and agency agreements, purchase orders (POs), and other commercial contracts.

This role requires comprehensive expertise across the full contract lifecycle, from planning, through drafting, redlining, negotiation, execution, and post-award administration. The Sr. Specialist, Contracts will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external business partners to ensure contracts are aligned with organizational goals, risk profiles and compliance standards.

This is a strategic, hands-on role that requires strategic thinking, attention to details and the ability to drive the results in a fast paced, cross-functional environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the full contract lifecycle, from initial development through execution, compliance tracking, modifications, and closeout.
• Coordinate contract planning/contracting strategy and pre-award activities in collaboration with business owners, legal, project management, finance, tax, technical teams, and other involved stakeholders.
• Lead the development, review, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts including drafting, redlining, and revising contract language to reflect negotiated terms and mitigate risk across Shared Services Functions such as HR, regulatory/compliance, marketing, communications, finance, travel, HSSE, and other corporate functions.
• Identify synergies and drive execution from Company level.
• Actively drive dialogue and collaboration across all procurement teams.
• Effectively influence and work across the company’s shared services functions and stakeholders to execute short and long-term objectives.
• Execute complex shared services RFx events to execute major agreements and material purchases while managing and mitigating supply/contractual risk leveraging key functional areas where appropriate (Legal, Insurance, Cyber, etc.).
• Serve as the procurement subject matter expert to shared services internal and external stakeholder groups to address business needs according to best-in-class sourcing strategies and methodologies
• Establish effective strategic relationships with key shared services stakeholders while also understanding, anticipating, and responding to their business needs, objectives, and challenges.
• Work with shared services functions to mitigate uncertainties by planning and forecasting future needs or projects.
• Ensure alignment of contract terms with company objectives, requirements, and internal policies and procedures.
• Maintain version control during negotiations and oversee the integrity of contract documentation.
• Perform post-award contract administration, including tracking of deliverables, obligations, and milestones to ensure compliance and performance.
• Monitor key contract milestones, deliverables, and obligations to ensure timely performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to address contract-related issues and support resolution of disputes or claims.
• Prepare and issue contract amendments, change orders, and notices in coordination with internal stakeholders, and manage change logs.
• Monitor contract compliance and support internal audits and reviews.
• Maintain accurate and organized contract records in the contract management system.
• Develop and implement standard contract templates and playbooks to support contracts formation and administration.
• Contribute to process improvements, templates, and tools that enhance contract management practices.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & COMPETENCIES

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in contract management in the energy sector, particularly with MLA, OEM MSA, PSA, and POs.
• Proficient in Microsoft office.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization and excelling in a dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives.
• Excellent negotiation skills and oral and written communication.
• Excellent people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally.
• Strategic thinking, curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.

Preferred Requirements:

• National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) certifications CPCM, CCCM, CCMA or other relevant certifications.
• Supply Chain certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, MCIPS or other relevant certifications.

Work Environment This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift.

Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary.

• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions.

• While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear.

• The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities.

• Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.

*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NEXTDECADE VALUES

• Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
• Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
• Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
• Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
• Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.
• Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.