Contract Specialist

Reporting to the Manager, Contracts, the Contract Specialist will provide support for the major Rook I site construction contracts, change management, commercial coordination, and issue resolution. The Contract Specialist will have a strong focus on IT procurement and contracting activities. This position is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, ensuring alignment with NexGen’s organizational goals while also complying with legal requirements. The successful candidate will have strong negotiation, contracting, and problem-solving skills with a proven ability to confront, address, and negotiate difficult situations in a diplomatic manner that achieves the desired outcome for the Company.

Location & Schedule
This position is based in our Saskatoon, SK Project office from Monday to Friday for 40 hours per week with travel to the Rook I site as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts from RFPs, negotiations, through to execution (including specialized technology agreement requirements such as software licensing, cloud services, cybersecurity requirements, and data management obligations).
• Work closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and objectives during the negotiation process up to and including award and execution.
• Negotiate terms and conditions with external parties to achieve favorable agreements for all parties involved.
• Develop and maintain contract templates for standard and exception agreements.
• Manage relationships with vendors, contracts, and internal stakeholders.
• Evaluate vendor performance to ensure their needs and objectives during negotiation process.
• Oversee the administration of contracts, including monitoring compliance, tracking deliverables, and managing contract modifications and changes.
• Work with Project managers and other relevant parties to ensure that contracts are implemented effectively.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with contracts and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Provide guidance on risk management to other departments within the organization.
• Assess, define, and resolve contractual issues including contractual terms and conditions and escalations by internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to contract management.
• Conduct market data research, investigate supplier capabilities and manage supplier contracts, governance, and control programs to ensure delivery of expectations and comply with corporate and regulatory policies.
• Prepare reports on contract compliance and performance for management and other stakeholders.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• University degree is required; degree in Finance or Business or SCMP designation preferred.
• ProSci (or equivalent) change management training required (certification preferred).
• 10 – 15 years of progressive experience in managing medium to large RFP and contract packages, and/or supply chain management, and/or equivalent required.
• Demonstrated experience with IT related RFPs and agreements is required.
• Progressive experience across various supply chain and operations roles including planning, procurement, order management and order fulfillment.
• Highly effective inter-personal, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent business communication and presentation skills.
• Thorough knowledge of advanced functions of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required.
• Experience and proficiency with SAP is required.
• Ability to complete a Pre-Access Drug and Alcohol Test satisfactorily as required for the Rook I project.

Core Competencies

Communication

• Communicates in an open candid and consistent manner with impact to inform, enroll, coach, and inspire.
• Effectively builds rapport and appropriately delivers information (oral and written) in a timely, well-organized, thoughtful, and engaging manner.

Team Effectiveness

• Works collaboratively across functional teams, embracing unique talents and diverse perspectives, to achieve common goals.
• Takes a proactive approach to building relationships by actively participating as a prepared team member, demonstrating flexibility and respect for different work styles.

Work Management

• Plans, manages and follows through to ensure the flow and timely completion of activities to deliver successful work results.
• Maintains quality and safety standards to ensure NexGen's Elite Standards are met across all work streams.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability.

Personal Accountability

• Takes responsibility for own actions and outcomes.
• Maintains effective and professional approach, demonstrating resilience and accountability in a fluid fast paced work environment.

Analytical/Critical Thinking

• Able to identify, articulate and problem solve for complex situations with consideration for outcomes.
• Provides clear and informative explanations to support effective decisions in line with company objectives.
• Uses creative, conceptual, and/or inductive reasoning.

Functional & Technical Skills

• Applies specialized knowledge in own area of expertise and openly shares information and knowledge with others.