Contract Manager, Legal & Contracts

Location: Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Contract Manager

Irvine, California, USA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is seeking a Contract Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for all contract and compliance activities related to his/her assigned US airline client and aircraft OEMs. This will require dealing with several complex contractual structures and solutions. Responsibilities include contract management support of the existing airline program as well as the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial contracts (sales, purchase, lease, non-disclosure, software licensing, product development, consulting, PaaS, SaaS, other business agreements and related change orders / amendments). The Contract Manager’s contributions play a key role in enabling our Company to provide millions of passengers, while inflight, the ability to watch movies and use high-speed Internet browsing, text messaging, and wireless streaming.

In addition, the Contract Manager will be responsible for working and supporting Procurement in various contract and compliance activities related to his/her assigned supplier accounts.  Responsibilities may include contract management support to procurement for existing supplier contracts, as well as the drafting, review and negotiation of supplier contracts (purchase, lease, non-disclosure, software licensing, product development, consulting, and other business agreements and related change orders / amendments).

The role of this Contract Manager may evolve with time to include other airline customers, US domestic and/or foreign, leasing companies, suppliers and other contracting parties with areas of responsibility similar to those described below.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Apply best practices in contract management in providing post-award support to Program Manager for his/her assigned customer

• In relation to the assigned Customer:  draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts (sales, purchase, lease, non-disclosure, software licensing, product development, consulting, PaaS, SaaS, other business agreements and related change orders/amendments);

• Lead the development, structure and negotiation of contractual documents with the Customer and/or the aircraft OEMs. Support the Procurement function in their negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors.

• While following the Bid process, assist with the review and response to RFPs and support the bid team, finance team, and other functions. Provide contractual risk analysis, risk mitigations and contracting strategy for new business.

• Respond and negotiate claims from and against Customer; interface with executives and Customer during claim resolution.

• Guide responsible stakeholder (ie Program Manager) in the areas of change and commitments with the Customer; draft and negotiate amendments to the Customer contract. Support the Procurement function with the same regarding subcontracts.

• Provide analysis and recommendations to executive management for complex contractual issues. Advise management of contractual rights and obligations of Thales and of the Customer analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Thales’ and Customer’s positions.

• Prepare various summaries with respect to the status of key Customer contract and other agreements

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree:  JD or equivalent foreign law degree, Masters or MBA with minimum 7 years’ proven experience drafting, negotiating, and reviewing commercial contracts with in a corporate legal and/or contracts department preferably in aerospace, engineering, technology and/or digital services;

• Strong knowledge of intellectual property matters and significant experience drafting and negotiating software licensing and development agreements, PaaS and SaaS agreements as well as reviewing technical statements of work;

• Ability to effectively present information and respond clearly and concisely to questions from groups of executives, managers, clients, customers, and cross-functional teams.

• Ability to handle direct negotiations and face counterparts in customer and partnership organizations

• Good grasp of major financial concepts

• Good mastery of