Contract Manager

THRS is seeking a highly organized and strategic Contract Manager to steer the full lifecycle of complex transportation agreements. You will be the central figure responsible for ensuring that all activities—from initial planning through closeout—are executed with total transparency, precision, and compliance. This role is critical to the County's fixed-route bus operations and associated technology agreements. Core Responsibilities 1. Contract Lifecycle Management & Compliance Phase Leadership: Lead all phases of contract management, from pre-award planning to final closeout. Technical Writing: Draft and review contractual documents, including Scopes of Work (SOWs), negotiation memoranda, and justifications. Strategic Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal staff, program managers, and external subcontractors. Compliance Oversight: Interpret contracts to ensure strict adherence to legal requirements, procurement regulations, and County policies. Risk Mitigation: Monitor contractor performance and prepare monthly service performance reports and official correspondence. 2. Negotiation & Administration Drafting Documentation: Prepare letters and documentation related to materials, equipment, and professional services. Strategic Negotiation: Develop pre-negotiation strategies and lead negotiations for change orders, claims, and modifications. Authorization: Review and approve passthrough requests prior to final management authorization. Contract Interpretation: Interpret obligations to ensure all contractual requirements are fulfilled. 3. Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Support Workflow Enhancement: Refine SOPs, templates, and workflows to improve organizational efficiency. Collaborative Sourcing: Partner with Sourcing and Procurement teams to support sourcing events and competitive procurement. Internal Advisory: Advise cross-functional teams (Risk, Compliance, Legal, etc.) on contract standards and County policies. Staff Mentorship: Provide guidance and training to staff on contract drafting and procurement-related legal considerations. Key Requirements Strategic Thinking: You possess the ability to think strategically while managing high-stakes, public-sector procurement. Communication: Exceptional oral and written communication skills are essential. Proactive Problem-Solving: You are a proactive troubleshooter with deep experience in vendor management.