Contracts Manager

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Contracts Manager to join our dynamic legal and operations team in India. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of contracts across the organization, ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting strategic business objectives. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of Indian contract law, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including legal, finance, procurement, and senior leadership. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven professional looking to make a meaningful impact within a fast-growing organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial contracts including vendor agreements, client contracts, non-disclosure agreements, service level agreements, and partnership arrangements in compliance with Indian and international legal standards.
• Manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle, from initial request and drafting through execution, renewal, amendment, and termination, maintaining accurate records in the contract management system.
• Identify and assess contractual risks, propose appropriate mitigation strategies, and escalate high-risk clauses or disputes to senior legal counsel or management as required.
• Collaborate closely with procurement, finance, sales, and operations teams to ensure contract terms align with business goals, budgetary constraints, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor contract performance and compliance, proactively tracking key milestones, deliverables, renewal deadlines, and obligations to prevent lapses or breaches.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve standardized contract templates, playbooks, and internal policies to streamline the contracting process across departments.
• Liaise with external legal counsel, clients, and vendors during complex negotiations and dispute resolution proceedings, representing the organization's interests professionally and effectively.
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on contract policies, best practices, and legal obligations to promote a culture of compliance throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized Indian university; a Master's degree (LLM) or MBA with a legal specialization is strongly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive experience in contracts management, commercial law, or a related legal role within a corporate or consulting environment in India.
• Thorough knowledge of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, and other relevant legislation including the Sale of Goods Act, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, and applicable industry-specific regulations.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements with confidence, balancing legal risk management with practical business considerations.
• Proficiency in contract management software and tools, along with strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to present complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple contracts and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary package benchmarked against industry standards, with performance-based annual increments and bonuses.
• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for employees and their immediate family members, including hospitalization and preventive care benefits.
• Professional Development: Access to sponsored legal certifications, industry conferences, workshops, and continuous learning programs to support your career growth.
• Work Flexibility: Hybrid work model offering a balance between office collaboration and remote working, promoting employee well-being and productivity.
• Leave Benefits: Generous paid leave policy including earned leave, sick leave, casual leave, and paid public holidays in accordance with Indian labor laws.