Associate Director of Contracts

ABOUT ORCHESTRA

Orchestra is the first communications company built for the new media landscape. Since early 2022, it has grown into a network of eight strategic communications and marketing agencies including BerlinRosen, Brightmode, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab and Onward, with more than 600 storytellers and strategists from 12 cities across North America and Europe. The network of leading agency partners works with companies, organizations and business leaders across high-growth industries including consumer, climate and sustainability, education, healthcare, real estate and technology.

From leading technological innovators, to brand-builders and cause champions, we work with our clients and offer unparalleled expertise on how to craft a story-first, audience-focused approach to solve their most pressing challenges.

People of color, people with disabilities and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.

ABOUT THE OPERATIONS TEAM

Orchestra’s Operations team is comprised of over 30 experts who specialize in finance, talent, human resources, IT, legal and general operations. The Operations team supports the rapid growth of the firm by proactively identifying operational efficiencies and building the systems and infrastructure to scale sustainably.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Orchestra is seeking an Associate Director of Contracts. We are looking for an extremely detail-oriented, thorough, organized and experienced individual to join our growing team. The Associate Director of Contracts role will play a key role in managing and drafting contracts while ensuring contracts are fully executed in a timely manner. To be successful in this position, you will need to possess excellent judgment skills and be a critical and analytical thinker. This position will report to the Vice President of Operations.

Role location: Ideally, candidates will be based in our New York, N.Y. or Washington, D.C. office on a hybrid basis, though candidates in other locations (i.e., remote in the United States on Eastern Time) will be considered. The Operations team is in-office 3 days per week.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

As an Associate Director of Contracts on the Operations team, you will…

• Manage the day-to-day responsibilities of contract lifecycle management, including though not limited to: development, research, analyzing risk, negotiation, authoring, processing, routing, tracking, auditing and modifying existing contracts across our portfolio of 8+ companies
• Respond to bids, proposals and contract negotiations
• Analyze all contracts requirements and provisions, including terms and conditions, to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and company policies and procedures
• Provide internal guidance and staff training around contract processes
• Work alongside the finance department to ensure correct billing of contractual revenues
• Develop, maintain and improve standards for contract process, including presentation of budgets, payment terms, general language and provisions
• Engage relevant stakeholders in negotiation decisions involving legal or regulatory requirements and contract standards
• Maintain deadlines on deliverables and follow up with internal and external stakeholders as needed (e.g. prepare status reports on pending contracts, coordinate contract revisions and signatures with third parties)
• Provide administrative support for client audits, oversee required reporting with the U.S. government agencies, general internal compliance and special projects
• Research and stay up-to-date on industry best practices for contract management and support implementation of operational process improvement sorting with U.S. government agencies, general internal compliance and special projects
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of contract management activities
• Project manage contracts process integrations related to corporate expansion
• Troubleshoot process or contract systems issues, generate Standard Operating Procedures and knowledge sharing documentation

Essential skills:

• 7-10+ years of prior work experience in contract preparation, negotiation and management, preferably at a public relations, advertising agency or other client services company
• Proven ability to lead a team of contract professionals
• Experience applying organizational standards when developing requests for proposals, negotiating terms and drafting contracts
• Ability to systematically analyze complex problems, draw-relevant conclusions and implement appropriate solutions
• Strong verbal and written skills with the capability to convey and simplify complex information
• Demonstrated analytical, critical thinking and judgment abilities
• Capability to multitask in a high volume environment, prioritize and manage time and deadlines efficiently
• Accurate and precise attention to detail
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating NDAs, MSAs (and similar professional services agreements) and Statements of Work/Work Orders, and familiarity with Retainer and Project based contracts
• Knowledge of contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools and contract signature tools (DocuSign)
• Ability to identify term and legal issues for counsel escalation and liaise with counsel to create contract templates, fallback terms, and support contract dispute resolutions proceedings

Preferred skills:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or paralegal certification preferred but not required
• Experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating SaaS contracts, Influencer and Talent Agreements, Independent Contractor Agreements, event and vendor contracts
• General knowledge of federal, state and local laws, plus regulations and codes
• Relevant experience with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace and the ability to quickly adapt to new systems or technologies
• Interest in researching and implementing current advances in contracts management technologies
• Experience with government contracting and related compliance (i.e., GSA)

Note: Interested in this role but it’s not quite the right match? Applicants who meet some but not all or exceed the above criteria are still encouraged to apply! We are eager to speak with candidates with diverse backgrounds and can assess role leveling on an individual basis.

WORKING AT ORCHESTRA

Compensation philosophy: We offer competitive industry rates with the goal of retaining and growing talented individuals. We regularly review and adjust our compensation structure as needed to ensure equity across teams and levels.

Salary range (commensurate with experience and skills): $95,000-$160,000

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Pre-tax Health Savings Account Savings Plan (HSA-SP) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401K with a 4% employer match and no vesting period
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• 20 vacation days, 10 wellness days, 1 day for your birthday, collective PTO between Christmas and New Year’s Day, plus 11 holidays
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Mobile phone reimbursement for data and minutes
• Employer-funded life insurance
• Discounted annual bikeshare membership
• Corporate discounts through Tickets at Work

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