Legal Operations & Contracts Manager

Location: Shoreline, WA

Employment Status: Full Time

Compensation: $92,196 - $110,000, DOE

Benefit Highlights: Health Insurance, Retirement Plans w/CRISTA match, Family Care, Paid Holidays, PTO, Tuition Discount at King’s Schools.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

CRISTA Ministries (“CRISTA”) is a Christian church community that exists to exercise and express its Christian beliefs. At the core of our Christian church community is the belief that as Christians, we are part of the priesthood of all believers, set forth in I Peter 2. We believe this priesthood calling rests upon all Christians and is a foundational, spiritual practice of our CRISTA community. This priesthood calling evokes within us the response to view our work as our ministry. We believe that all representatives of our community are ministers of the gospel and play equally important roles in exercising, expressing and teaching our beliefs (I Corinthians 12: 17-23).

CRISTA exists to make known the love of Jesus Christ through demonstrated works of service and ministry. We use every method available so that the people of the world may hear the Gospel, accept Christ as their Savior, and grow in their faith. We are a united family of Biblical Ministries inspired by a shared vision to serve and impact the young through the elderly, all cultures and backgrounds, in our own backyard and around the world through excellence in our service and operations. By leading a healthy and sustainable organization, CRISTA empowers its ministries to serve the needs of the world and share the Gospel, making disciples. Our commitment is to glorify, honor and obey the Lord in all we do through a workforce of ministers: our staff and volunteers who are called, committed, and faithful Christians.

CRISTA leads five distinct ministries in alignment with our calling to draw people into a transforming relationship with Christ. From World Concern’s relief and development efforts around the globe; from CRISTA Media’s stations that broadcast uplifting messages and music through your radio dials to the fireside songs that bring joy to campers year-round at CRISTA Camps; from the young minds equipped with knowledge at King’s Schools to the seniors receiving exceptional care at CRISTA Senior Living. Whether traversing the globe or right in our backyard, the CRISTA family of ministries is empowered to meet the needs of those we serve with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

CRISTA MINISTRIES MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS

• Mission Statement: To fearlessly declare the Gospel, with Biblical truth and love, leading generations to follow Jesus.
• Vision Statement: Until All Know Jesus.

CRISTA MINISTRIES CORE VALUES

• Christ-Centered: We approach our work by faith, prayerfully believing God will do the miraculous.
• Servanthood: We serve our world by meeting needs practically and spiritually.
• Uncompromising Integrity: We are honest, transparent, and trustworthy – reflecting Jesus in all we do.
• Holy Stewardship: We honor and maximize the potential of the resources, assets, and people God has entrusted to us.
• Excellence: We serve with excellence knowing that we represent God in our work, words, and actions.
• Unified Team: We are One CRISTA, united in the vision to transform lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Legal Operations & Contracts Manager is responsible for completing routine and standardized contract requests under attorney supervision, managing and improving the Legal Department’s day-to-day operations infrastructure and contract administration function. The position exercises independent judgment in evaluating operational needs, setting work priorities, developing recommendations, and implementing approved processes, systems, controls, workflows, and record-management improvements that materially affect departmental efficiency and service delivery, while supporting the consistent, high-quality administration of contracts and legal requests across the organization. 

This position serves as a key operational partner to the Senior Legal Counsel and any other attorneys, helping ensure that legal requests, contracts, documents, deadlines, communications, and administrative matters are organized, appropriately prioritized, and completed efficiently.

The Legal Operations & Contracts Manager has primary responsibility for administering the contract lifecycle management process, including intake, routing, workflow coordination, compliance with approved standards, records management, reporting and process improvement. The position assists with reviewing contracts, applies approved templates, playbooks, and procedures, flags nonstandard terms and material risk for attorney review, and coordinates revisions and follow-up with ministries and departments. The position manages legal matter, document, knowledge-management, and contract systems; develops, recommends, and implements approved department procedures, templates, workflows, controls, and service standards; analyzes operational trends and recommends responses, evaluates legal technology and process improvements; coordinates cross-functional legal requests and initiatives, leads approved projects from evaluation through implementation; and provides high-level operational and administrative support to the Legal Department. The position requires exceptional organization, attention to detail, discretion, judgment, communication skills, and the ability to manage a high volume of concurrent matters in a complex, multi-ministry organization.

The Legal Operations & Contracts Manager does not provide legal advice or independently make legal determinations and works under the direction and supervision of the Legal Department’s attorneys.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(General overview and may not include all details of responsibilities)

Contract Operations & Administration

• Direct and manage the organization's contract intake, administration, tracking, approval, execution, and recordkeeping processes throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for contract submissions from ministries, departments, and other internal stakeholders and provide guidance regarding contract administration processes and requirements.
• Review incoming contract requests for completeness and ensure appropriate information and documentation are provided before attorney review.
• Triage contracts according to established legal department procedures and route matter appropriately.
• Administer routine and standardized contracts using approved templates, forms, guidelines, and processes.
• Prepare and complete routine and standardized contract requests using attorney-approved templates, playbooks, and guidelines; identify and escalate nonstandard terms or matters requiring legal judgment; and obtain attorney approval before execution, as required by Legal Department procedures.
• Coordinate contract revisions and facilitate communication between ministries/departments, Legal.
• Track contracts through review, negotiation, approval, signature, and completion.
• Maintain an organized and accurate repository of executed contracts and related documentation.
• Monitor contract expiration dates, renewal dates, notice periods, and other key contractual deadlines applicable to Law & Corporate Affairs as well as general oversight and understanding of ministry/department expiration dates, renewal dates, notice periods, and other key contractual deadlines.
• Develop and maintain contract administration metrics, tracking reports, dashboards, and key performance indicators regarding contract volume, turnaround times, renewals, workflow performance, and other indicators.
• Identify recurring contract issues, bottlenecks, and opportunities for process improvement and bring them to the attention of Legal Counsel.
• Assist attorneys with contract preparation, comparison, formatting, document organization, and execution.
• Support and lead the development and maintenance of standardized contract templates and clause libraries under attorney direction.
• Help ensure that approved templates and processes are used consistently throughout the organization.
• Coordinate with Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Facilities, Ministry Leadership, and other departments regarding contract administration.
• Serve as system administrator for contract management and contract tracking solutions utilized by the Legal Department.
• Establish and maintain standardized contract administration procedures, intake requirements, approval workflows, and records management practices.

Legal Operations & Workflow Management

• Direct and manage the Legal Department’s centralized legal request/intake process and overall legal operations workflows within delegated authority, subject to attorney oversight and final legal decision-making.
• Receive, organize, categorize, and route requests for legal assistance.
• Maintain tracking of legal matters and monitor the status of open requests and projects.
• Assist in prioritizing and coordinating legal matters based on established procedures and attorney direction.
• Maintain calendars and tracking systems for legal deadlines, filings, renewals, meetings, and other critical dates.
• Develop, document, implement, and maintain Legal Department procedures, workflows, checklists, standard operating procedures and service-level expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and responsiveness within the Legal Department.
• Lead the day-to-day administration, maintenance, optimization, and user support for contract management, matter management, document management, and other legal technology systems.
• Produce periodic reports regarding contract volume, legal requests, turnaround times, outstanding matters, renewals, and other operational metrics.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical legal files in accordance with Legal Department procedures and applicable records-retention requirements.
• Assist with coordination and administrative management of outside counsel relationships and matters, as directed by attorneys.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for the Legal Department for legal operations projects, process improvements, knowledge management initiatives, and departmental technology enhancement.

Legal Department Administrative Support

• Monitor and manage the Legal Department’s general email inboxes and correspondence.
• Assist with scheduling meetings, calls, appointments, and other legal department activities.
• Coordinate meetings involving attorneys, ministry leaders, executives, vendors, outside counsel, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare meeting materials, agendas, documents, and follow-up items as directed.
• Receive, distribute, organize, and process mail and other correspondence.
• Assist with document preparation, formatting, filing, copying, scanning, and electronic organization.
• Coordinate invoices, expense reports, purchase orders, and other administrative matters for the Legal Department.
• Maintain contact lists, calendars, directories, and other department resources.
• Provide administrative support for board, committee, executive, and other organizational meetings as requested.
• Assist with special projects and other administrative needs of the Legal Department.
• Perform other legal support, contract administration, legal operations, and related duties as assigned by the Legal Department’s attorneys, excluding duties that constitute the practice of law.

Legal Request Coordination & Internal Customer Support

• Serve as a professional and responsive first point of contact for routine legal department requests.
• Help ministry and department leaders understand the process for submitting contracts and legal requests. This may include conducting presentations, training, developing policies, processes and procedures, and other means.
• Ensure requests are directed to the appropriate member of the Legal Department.
• Follow up with internal contacts regarding missing information, documents, approvals, signatures, or other outstanding items.
• Communicate status updates on matters in accordance with attorney direction.
• Escalate matters requiring legal judgment, substantive legal analysis, or attorney involvement.
• Help establish and maintain consistent service standards for the Legal Department.
• Develop strong working relationships across all organizational ministries and departments.
• Deliver training and communication regarding contract administration processes, legal intake procedures, approved templates, and legal operations systems.

Templates, Process Improvement & Knowledge Management

• Lead the organization, maintenance, and administration of standardized legal forms, templates, checklists, and workflows under attorney direction.
• Maintain a centralized library of approved legal templates and resources.
• Help identify opportunities to eliminate redundant work and standardize recurring processes.
• Document processes so that routine matters can be handled efficiently and consistently.
• Assist with internal training on approved legal processes, contract submission procedures, and use of templates.
• Maintain institutional knowledge and organized resources for recurring legal matters and serve as the administrator of legal operations knowledge resources, process documentation, and contract administration reference materials.
• Recommend operational improvements based on contract volume, request trends, feedback, and department needs.

Confidentiality, Compliance & Risk Awareness

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding legal matters, organizational information, personnel matters, contracts, investigations, and other sensitive information.
• Handle privileged and confidential materials appropriately and in accordance with Legal Department procedures.
• Follow organizational policies and Legal Department procedures concerning records retention, document security, confidentiality, and information management.
• Exercise sound judgment regarding the sensitivity and appropriate handling of legal matters.
• Promptly escalate potential legal, compliance, or risk issues to the appropriate attorney.
• Perform responsibilities in a manner consistent with the organization’s mission, values, policies, and applicable laws.

Conduct that reflects well on CRISTA Ministries and aligns with its mission, vision, Statement of Faith and Christian Community Representative Commitment (CCC).

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

CHRIST CENTERED

• Belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.
• Is a committed Christian who is dedicated to continued spiritual growth and development as evidenced through a growing personal walk with God (e.g. daily spiritual rhythms of prayer, fellowship, Bible study, etc.).
• Prayerfully seeks God’s will in their own lives and in their ministry at CRISTA.
• Engages our ministry including staff and colleagues through prayer, participation in spiritual practices, leading devotionals and other spiritual practices.
• Affirms, aligns with and supports CRISTA’s Statement of Faith and Christian Community Representative Statement (CCC).
• Conducts themselves in a manner which reflects well on CRISTA Ministries and aligns with its mission, vision, Statement of Faith and Christian Community Representative Commitment (CCC).
• Demonstrates the values of a CRISTA leader.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in business, legal studies, paralegal studies, operations, project management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

EXPERIENCE

• 3–5 years of experience in legal operations, contract administration, paralegal support, legal administration, business operations, or a related field.
• Experience administering contract management, document management, workflow automation, or legal operations systems.
• Experience developing business processes, workflows, SOPs, dashboards, and operational reporting.
• Experience coordinating high-volume contracts, vendor agreements, projects, approvals, records management or legal department operations in corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, education, ministry, or similarly complex, matrixed organization.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

• Current notary commission or ability to obtain notary commission within a reasonable period after hire.

SOFTWARE / EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint and Teams.
• Ability to learn and effectively use contract management, document management, and other organizational systems.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys, ministry leaders, employees, and others as applicable.
• Ability to travel occasionally within the state and lift materials or equipment as needed for the role.
• Ability to pass background checks relating to DSHS Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions. (WAC 388-113).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in a corporate legal department, nonprofit, educational institution, healthcare/senior living organization, media organization, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience developing workflows, standard operating procedures, contract playbooks, or templates.
• Experience supporting multiple business units, subsidiaries, ministries, or locations.
• Experience coordinating outside counsel and legal vendors.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

• Paralegal certificate or equivalent legal training.
• Project management experience or certification.

SOFTWARE / EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE

• Experience with contract lifecycle management (CLM) or matter management systems.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Familiarity with legal terminology and contract structures.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINTATION

CRISTA is a Christian, religious organization that lives out its faith-based mission through five ministries: CRISTA Camps, CRISTA Media, CRISTA Senior Living, King’s Schools, and World Concern.  As permitted by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, CRISTA reserves the right to prefer employees of a particular religion and to require its employees to hold certain religious beliefs, engage in certain religious observances, and engage in or refrain from engaging in certain behavior, based on CRISTA’s religious beliefs. CRISTA’s employees must agree with and support without reservation CRISTA’s Statement of Faith and must conduct themselves in accordance with the religious beliefs and practices that flow from that Statement of Faith and CRISTA’s Christian Community Policy.

Among those employees and employment applicants who agree with and support without reservation and abide by the Statement of Faith and CRISTA’s Christian Community Policy, CRISTA does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Based on its religious beliefs, CRISTA values and respects the dignity of all persons and appreciates the diversity of God’s creation.