Contract Specialist

Position Overview

Contract / Agreement management is a crucial function for any organization that enters into agreements with customers, suppliers, partners, or other stakeholders. Overall, effective contract/agreement management is essential for any organization that desires to minimize risks, improve compliance, optimize performance, increase efficiency, maximize value, and enable informed decision-making.

Reporting to the Executive Manager of Land & Business Development, the purpose of the Contract Specialist role is to develop and manage a suite of contracts and agreements specific to the needs of the WID. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that business contracts are legally sound, meet the needs of the WID and all parties involved, and comply with relevant legislation and regulations. This role may be required to be involved in a wide range of contracts and agreements, including but not limited to irrigation-specific contracts/agreements, land purchase & sale, surface land management, procurement, construction contracts, various business memorandums of understandings, commercial agreements, employment contracts, vendor agreements, rental and lease agreements, etc.

**Key Responsibilities**

1. Develop and maintain a standard suite of contracts and agreements specific to the needs of the WID, that focus on helping streamline processes and reduce duplication of effort, which saves time and resources.

1. Initiate a full organizational review with internal stakeholders, compiling a listing of routine contracts/agreements.

2. Working with internal stakeholders to identify gaps and recommend an action plan to develop specific contracts/agreements.

3. Perform reviews regularly, to meet changes in legislation or the law, of our active templates, identify gaps, organize legal reviews, and complete general updates.

4. Communicate the available suite of contracts and agreements with internal stakeholders on a regular basis.

2. Contract/Agreement Execution

1. Responsible for drafting and reviewing contracts/agreements, to ensure that they accurately reflect the terms and conditions of the agreement, often with legal assistance.

2. Work with the relevant internal & external stakeholders, customers, and clients to negotiate the terms of a contract/agreement, including pricing, timelines, deliverables, and other critical details.

3. Ensuring compliance with legal requirements, legislation, and regulations.

3. Contract Management:
1. Develop a process to guide and manage the contract/agreement process from start to finish and ensure that the parties involved in the contract are in agreement and that the contract is legally enforceable.

2. Monitor contract/agreement performance to ensure that the WID and other relevant parties are meeting their obligations under the contract/agreement.

3. Improves compliance: Contract management ensures that all parties involved in the contract/agreement comply with legal and regulatory requirements. It also helps to ensure that the organization is in compliance with its own policies and procedures.

4. Managing contract changes to contracts/agreements, including amendments, renewals, and terminations.

5. Enhances relationships by building and maintaining positive relationships with internal & external stakeholders, customers, clients, etc. Clear and effective communication throughout the contract management process to avoid misunderstandings and improve trust.

4. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Manager of Land & Business Development and/or the General Manager.

**Qualifications and Skills**
- Post Secondary Diploma or Degree in Business, Law, or Construction Management is an asset.
- Experience with Contracts Management in an EPC/EPCM environment, Project Management, Commerce, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering, is an asset.
- Intermediate level experience, minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience.
- Experience providing specialized/technical/functional guidance to other internal departments.
- Demonstrated experience in contract/agreement drafting and negotiation, review of legal terms and conditions, and stakeholder relationship & performance management.

**Salary**: $27.00-$38.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Tuition reimbursement

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Strathmore, AB T1P 1C1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person