Contracts Director

Company Overview

Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility we have proudly upheld since 1939. Today, our expertise extends broadly across closely related security and risk-based fields – from accessibility consulting and risk analysis to process safety, forensic investigations, security risk consulting, emergency management, digital innovation and more.

Our engineers and consultants collaborate to solve complex safety and security challenges, ensuring our clients can protect what matters most. For over 80 years, we have helped mitigate risks that threaten lives, property and reputations. Through technology, expertise and industry-leading research, we remain dedicated to our purpose of making our world safe, secure and resilient.

At Jensen Hughes, we believe that creating and sustaining a culture of trust, integrity and professional growth starts with putting our people first. Our employees are our greatest strength, and we value the unique perspectives and talents they bring to our organization. 

Our wide range of Global Employee Networks connect people from across the organization, supporting career development and providing forums for individuals to share experiences on topics they're passionate about. Together, we are cultivating a connected culture where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed together.

Job Overview

Jensen Hughes is seeking an experienced Contracts Director to lead and manage the Contracts function within our Legal Department. This strategic leader will oversee a global team of contract specialists responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of agreements supporting our professional services operations. The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of legal, operational, and technological expertise to drive excellence in contract management and compliance across the organization.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of contract specialists and professionals across multiple regions.
• Establish best practices, templates, and playbooks to ensure consistency and quality in contract drafting and negotiation.
• Foster a collaborative environment between the Legal, Commercial, Finance, and Operations teams.

Contract Management & Negotiation

• Oversee the negotiation, drafting, and review of a variety of contracts including professional services agreements, master services agreements (MSAs), nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), teaming and subcontractor agreements, and related documents.
• Provide strategic guidance on complex contractual terms, risk allocation, and negotiation positions.
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.

Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of contract lifecycle management processes and systems.
• Oversee the deployment and optimization of a digital CLM software platform, ensuring integration with existing systems and alignment with business needs.
• Develop and execute training and change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption across the organization.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to company policies, applicable laws, and regulatory requirements, including U.S. government contracting (DoD, DOE, DOS, and other federal agencies) and global governmental compliance standards.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Audit functions to ensure ongoing monitoring and reporting of contract-related risks.
• Maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory changes that may affect company contracting practices.

Operational Collaboration

• • Partner with operational and business unit leaders to align contract strategy with business objectives.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to business teams for deal structuring and risk management.
  • Support initiatives to enhance process efficiency and contract visibility across global operations.

Requirements and Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal qualification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in contract negotiation, drafting, and management, preferably within a global engineering, professional services, or government contracting environment.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing organizational change.
• Demonstrated expertise with CLM systems implementation and process optimization.
• Strong understanding of U.S. Federal Government contracting (FAR/DFARS) and compliance practices.

Preferred:

• Active or eligible U.S. Government security clearance.
• Experience implementing digital transformation initiatives in legal or contract functions.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed global environment.

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