Senior Contracts Manager

At Vestas we are powered by the dream of changing the world. And to create a sustainable future, we are building a team of committed visionaries. Would you like to join us?

 

This is a great opportunity to join the growing offshore wind industry. Vestas is a prominent wind turbine manufacturing company with significant operations in the United States.

 

Senior Contracts Manager

The senior manager, Contract Management will manage and oversee the Unit contract management program, focusing on operational and commercial aspects of contractual compliance, implementation, and performance, to ensure compliance with Vestas legal requirements, and service operations.

 

Responsibilities:

• Support Vestas operational colleagues (e.g., development team, project managers, construction managers and service site managers) by interpreting contractual provisions in context of situation in the field; identify possible contractual approaches and negotiating tactics to avoid or resolve customer disputes.
• Overseeing the drafting and review of change order, letters, notices and amendments.
• Develop and maintain contracts database that captures life-cycle requirements for reference and management of operational and commercial obligations.
• Where appropriate, participate in direct customer conversations and negotiations, as part of coordinated account team or ad hoc team to resolve specific issues.
• Ensure that all contracts and other legal instruments are consistent with Vestas internal guidelines for acceptable commercial commitments, other risk policies and compliance with relevant regulations
• Review existing contracts for lessons learned, and direct that input to Sales and Service Sales teams to support negotiation of new sales and service agreements. Review and provide timely input on draft agreements during closing process. Support the handover of close contracts from Sales to Service and Construction teams.
• Develop and maintain very effective professional working relationship with Vestas Sales, Legal, Construction, Development, Finance and other departments.
• Initiate internal process improvements necessary to support job requirements, including document management and reporting tools.
• Identify opportunities to create mutual value for Vestas and customers while protecting Vestas profitability and risk appetite.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business administration or law degree, plus ten years of directly related experience in administration of service or construction contracts. Extensive experience in contract management, including drafting, negotiation, and administration. May substitute a graduate law degree plus seven years of relevant commercial experience.
• Deep understanding of contract law and relevant regulations.
• Knowledge of practices, procedures and processes of contract administration as well as interpretation of regulations and contract clauses.  
• Highly proficient oral communication skills with strong ability to prepare clear, concise and compelling written materials; in particular, ability to communicate with field personnel lacking specialized contract knowledge; solid customer presence and ability to negotiate contentious issues.
• Clear proficiency in problem solving, negotiations and conflict resolution
• Leadership abilities to manage and motivate a team of contract administrators
• Ability to plan, organize, handle various tasks simultaneously, prioritize, and execute assigned workload to meet multiple deadlines. Should be detail oriented.
• High proficiency with standard IT tools including Microsoft Office, and comfort learning and using new internal IT platforms.

Preferred:

• MBA or JD
• 10+ years of directly related experience in all phases of contracts administration and working knowledge of contract law.
• Experience working in a capital equipment industry with long-term service-related contracts, or a construction related industry.
• Experience working with customers and organizations with multiple operating sites and organizations.

Competencies:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite computer skills (Windows, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and SAP)
• Regular and reliable attendance
• Effective written and oral communication skills; able to express oneself clearly and in technical and non-technical terms
• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels

What We Offer:

We offer an exciting position with great development opportunities in an inspiring environment at a well-established wind turbine producer. We value initiative, collaboration, accountability, and