Director of Contracts

ABOUT THE MULTIPLIER:

Multiplier’s mission is to accelerate impact for initiatives focused on protecting and fostering a healthy, sustainable, resilient, and equitable world. Growing threats to our planet and its people require holistic solutions, both locally and globally. The projects in our portfolio span a broad array of cross-sector strategies in land and ocean conservation, public health, education and leadership, economic development, clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable food systems, energy efficiency, social and environmental equity, and more.

With $75 million in revenue in 2023, Multiplier is a high-performance, rapidly growing organization. To support this growth, we are seeking a colleague to join our contracts team in the position of Director Contracts, and we are poised to hire immediately. The Director will play a leadership role in advising and supporting our portfolio of 50 projects ranging from professional services agreements to complex funding and collaboration contracts. This leader will ensure compliance with organizational policies, streamline contract management processes, and support our projects in efficiently executing contracts to maximize their impact.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Multiplier’s Director of Contracts will play a key leadership role in shaping and overseeing the contracting functions of our organization, ensuring that Multiplier and our portfolio of 50+ projects operate efficiently within fair, negotiated agreements that align with our mission. With responsibility for managing and advising on over 700 contracts per year, the Director will bring substantive expertise in contract management, law, negotiation, and the development of equitable terms that support both Multiplier and our diverse projects.

The Director will have the opportunity to grow and lead the contracts team, developing the systems, processes, and policies necessary to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency across all contract management activities. This role will also be pivotal in shaping organization-wide contracting-related policies that reflect our mission and values while meeting the unique needs of our wide-ranging project initiatives, from conservation to clean energy to social equity.

As a key advisor to our project teams, the Director must thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment where project needs and structures vary, requiring an adaptive and solutions-oriented approach. They will excel in navigating grey areas, ensuring that Multiplier’s contracting processes remain agile and effective, while upholding high standards of operational excellence.

With strong leadership and operational skills, the Director will ensure Multiplier’s contract lifecycle management is streamlined, secure, and capable of supporting the organization’s continued growth. This role requires a proactive, strategic mindset, positioning the Director as a trusted partner in driving both operational success and the impactful outcomes of our projects.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership, Team Development, and Collaboration

• Lead the strategic vision for the contracts function, ensuring it aligns with Multiplier’s mission and organizational goals.
• Grow, manage, and mentor the contracts team, currently consisting of a Senior Contracts Manager, and expand the team by hiring 1-2 Contract Specialists to provide direct support to project teams.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development, prioritizing skill enhancement and team growth.
• Collaborate closely with Multiplier’s leadership teams to ensure contract processes, policies, and tools effectively support organizational objectives and improve cross-functional efficiency.
• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive policies and procedures for contract development, negotiation, and management. This includes standardizing templates, establishing negotiation guidelines, setting signature authority levels, and creating compliance checklists. Regularly review and update these to reflect current laws, regulations (including California AB-5), and best practices, while promoting organization-wide understanding and adherence for consistency across all projects.

Contract and Systems Oversight

• Oversee the drafting, review, negotiation, and signing of all contracts, ensuring that agreements—ranging from new and complex to routine—are fair, equitable, and legally sound.
• Ensure contracts meet the diverse and evolving needs of Multiplier’s 50+ projects while adhering to best practices and legal standards.
• Oversee the procurement and implementation of a new Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, ensuring enhanced security, accuracy, and efficiency in contract execution.
• Design and implement streamlined processes for accepting contract requests from project and core teams, ensuring clarity and efficiency.
• Draft, review, and update a wide range of contract and legal agreement templates, including but not limited to consulting and service agreements, partnership agreements, MOUs, sponsorship agreements, NDAs, project transition agreements, asset transfer agreements, and other necessary documents.

Project Consulting and Contractual Support

• Act as a trusted advisor to project teams, providing customized contract advice and developing solutions tailored to specific programmatic and operational needs. Ensure all contractual arrangements align with project goals and organizational standards.
• Support project leads in negotiating agreements by offering expert guidance on contract interpretation and compliance. Guarantee that contracts are structured to support project objectives, manage risks, and protect organizational interests.
• Proactively support project teams by fostering effective collaboration between stakeholders and ensuring that contracts contribute to maximizing project impact and efficiency.
• Continuously develop and implement innovative methods to support project teams, such as designing user-friendly tools, establishing best practices, providing training and workshops, and offering customized support mechanisms.
• Manage contract enforcement and resolve disputes by monitoring compliance, addressing issues promptly, and ensuring that all parties fulfill their obligations while maintaining the standards and expectations outlined in the agreements.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

You are a strategic visionary with extensive experience in contract management, adept at both shaping high-level strategies and meticulously overseeing contract execution. Your leadership is characterized by courage, commitment, and empathy, driving you to lead with integrity, honesty, and resilience. You excel in building strong, collaborative relationships and are known for your consultative approach, focused on fostering trust and mutual respect. While a deep understanding of contract law is essential, a law degree is not required; instead, strong practical experience in contract management, procurement, and legal negotiation is essential to thrive in this role.

You thrive in dynamic environments, embracing ambiguity and navigating complex, evolving scenarios with ease. Your ability to identify and cultivate the strengths of your team members, supporting their professional growth and development, sets you apart. You are proactive, self-reflective, and motivated, always seeking innovative solutions to enhance project outcomes and organizational efficiency.

Your passion for our mission is evident in your dedication to advancing our goals and addressing the diverse needs of our projects. You are deeply committed to making a positive impact on both our organization and the world at large, demonstrating a profound care for people and the planet in every aspect of your work.

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE REQUESTED:

We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to the Director of Contracts role. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool, and will be looking for candidates who possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications and experience:

• 5-7 years of experience in contract management, including experience in managing a high volume of contracts, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and executing agreements.
• 3-5 years of leadership experience, including developing and implementing contract policies and procedures, creating standard templates, negotiation guidelines, and compliance checklists.
• Experience in providing tailored contract advice and support to diverse project teams, including navigating relationships with a focus on collaboration and fairness.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing the procurement and implementation of a CLM system.
• Experience in a senior role within a similar organizational context, preferably in a nonprofit, public sector, or other mission-driven environment.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with leadership and other departments to align contract processes with organizational objectives.
• Experience in prioritizing professional development for team members and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

COMPENSATION:

Multiplier provides a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salary ($135-155k) excellent medical and dental benefits, retirement savings, and generous vacation and sick leave policy.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please visit our Applicant Portal. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received on or before Nov. 7, 2024. Please include a cover letter in your application materials describing your relevant experience and qualifications. We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.

Applicants should be aware that this position is subject to background checks. By applying for this role, you acknowledge that these checks will be part of the final hiring process.

EEO STATEMENT:

Multiplier celebrates diversity and is committed to building teams and partnerships that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Multiplier is also committed to providing an environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment. Multiplier prohibits discrimination in its governance, programs, and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance, or for any other factor that is not based on merit.