Contracts Associate
ABOUT US
Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) is the premier global strategic advisory and commercial diplomacy firm. With a commitment to excellence, integrity, and discretion, we help our clients navigate challenges and capture opportunities in markets around the world. ASG goes beyond opening doors, working alongside our clients to develop and implement tailored strategies. The global ASG network includes over 230 regional and sectoral experts and has a record of success in over 120 countries.
CONTRACTS ASSOCIATE
The ASG Contracts Associate is primarily responsible and accountable for independently drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and closing a variety of commercial and personnel contracts, with an emphasis on revenue-generating agreements for the firm. As a member of ASG’s Contracts Team, the successful candidate will interact with internal stakeholders across all ASG practices on a daily basis and will be responsible for adherence to all firm contracting processes, including obtaining the approvals required in connection with each contract. In addition to drafting and negotiating client-facing and client-related commercial contracts, the Contracts Associate will also work on a variety of personnel and vendor contracts and other agreements related to ASG’s operations. The ideal candidate will have contracts expertise, excellent writing skills and attention to details, a first-rate legal and business acumen, excellent leadership and customer service skills, and a positive “can-do” attitude. The ability to identify and understand risks, balance competing interests, and provide rapid, practical and appropriate contracting advice to the firm’s practices is critical to succeeding in this position.
Applicants MUST include a cover letter and a writing sample along with their resume. Please include ALL documents in one PDF attachment (cover letter, resume, writing sample).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports the contracting needs of the firm around the world in a fast-paced environment
- Helps guide the firm on best practices for drafting contractual terms, partnering with internal client teams in reviewing and editing the business terms for client and client-related work found in proposed scopes of work, letters of engagement, memoranda of understanding, RFP submissions, statements of work/work orders, non-disclosure agreements, etc.
- Analyzes legal terms and conditions and advises on their implications and associated risks to the firm
- Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a variety of engagement agreements including global, regional, country, and city-specific client projects (letters of engagement, services/consulting agreements, master service agreements), along with agreements to support client projects and firm affiliation agreements (ASG global team member agreements, cooperative agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements)
- Partners with ASG’s HR, Operations, and Finance teams on various compliance, reporting and other special projects, as well as in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial real estate agreements, event contracts, and international expansion
- Manages, prepares, and submits responses to client due diligence/vendor questionnaires
- Provides thought leadership with respect to contract formation, administration, and technology
- Initiates and contributes to ongoing process improvements, including developing templates, tools, checklists, guidelines, and procedures to enhance the Contracts Teams’ effectiveness and customer service
- Provides firm-wide and new hire training related to ASG’s contracting activities and policies
- Manages the contract life cycle, including:
- Partnering with colleagues to prioritize, review, and close the full suite of agreements for each project
- Facilitating the execution, delivery and processing of agreements
- Filing and entering all agreements into firm database
- Contributing to the efficient operations of the Contracts Team by handling the day-to-day administration of routine contract management tasks promptly and independently
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, legal studies, English or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school, with bar admission preferred with three (3) to five (5) years of experience, or five (5) plus years in a Paralegal, contracts/legal administration or prior equivalent role.
- Well qualified candidates will have relevant legal experience, as an attorney, law clerk, legal intern, paralegal, researcher, or similar.
- Experience drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and/or negotiating commercial agreements.
- Demonstrated maturity, judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive matters
- Ability to analyze business and legal issues/risks and think creatively in order to advance practical solutions
- Well-honed legal drafting skills with an affinity for using language to achieve compromise
- Excellent writing and editing skills for a non-legal/business audience with a keen attention to details
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with a sense of flexibility and good cheer in providing excellent customer service to colleagues at all levels, as well as responsiveness, professionalism, and friendliness in working with counterparties
- Excellent time management skills and proactive approach to completing assignments, working with internal and external stakeholders and driving negotiations in accordance with aggressive timelines
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to lead and prioritize multiple projects
- Ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure
- Ability to articulate ASG’s policies and rationale for standard legal terms and conditions in discussions/negotiations with counterparties
- Independent worker and self-starter. Ability to work in a small-team environment with minimum supervision
Albright Stonebridge Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.