AVP, Contract Management Lead (HYBRID)

For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, ESG initiatives and IDE journey.

Our Procurement team is currently seeking an AVP, Contract Management Lead in our Worcester, MA office location in a hybrid work arrangement. 

This is a full time, exempt role.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

As Procurement Contract Management Lead you will oversee and lead the contract management team, including ensuring its efficient and effective operation.   You will work closely with and provide leadership to the larger procurement and strategic sourcing team to ensure contracts align with The Hanover’s objectives and meet business partner requirements.

The Procurement Contract Management Lead requires the ability to prioritize multiple projects requiring frequent communication and exceptional organizational time management, and problem-solving skills. This is a Procurement leadership role, and the ideal candidate will have substantial experience in the drafting, redlining, and interpreting all manners of procurement contracts together with experience in effecting change across the Procurement organization.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Draft, analyze, and negotiate commercial contracts, including non-disclosure agreements, master services agreements, Statements of Work, SaaS agreements, licensing, and other technology agreements.
• Engage with Procurement professionals and business partner to understand requirements and provide consultation for appropriate contract outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel in the development of contract negotiation procedures for key contract templates.
• Lead a team of contract management professionals focused on vendor contracts.
• Identify and implement process improvements opportunities to reduce contract negotiation cycle time, improve contract outcomes and risk mitigation.
• Partner with key stakeholders, including Office of General Counsel, Information Security, Compliance, Enterprise Risk, and Finance to ensure contract terms are negotiated in compliance with defined requirements and standards.
• Develop and monitor key contract management performance metrics and key performance indicators, including cycle time, quality, and risk.
• Collaborate with Office of General Counsel to develop and maintain key commercial contract templates.
• Partner with the Office of General Counsel to develop and deliver training to Sourcing resources on the contract review process.
• Serve as sourcing and business partner’s first point of contact for vendor contract issues informing and escalating to Office of General Counsel appropriately.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all functional stakeholder and business partners across the organization. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:

• Bachelor’s degree required and Juris Doctorate strongly preferred.
• At least 7 years of procurement contract negotiation and drafting/redlining experience, with the primary responsibility for producing quality contracts based on defined standards and regulations.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in all stages of the contract negotiation process and an ability develop an appropriate escalation process in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel.  
• Experience with process improvement initiatives to identify, develop, implement, and drive improvements to optimize the contracting process.
• Extremely customer-focused, taking the time to understand the needs of the business and legal.
• Prior experience directly managing others.
• Experienced written and oral communicator, with strategic, analytical, and interpersonal skills to act as an effective change agent, unlocking barriers to quickly move contracts to closure.
• Knowledgeable in assessing contract risks and concisely explaining complex issues to both legal and non-legal professionals.
• Excellent communication skills and listening skills enabling stakeholders to understand and align with our procurement best practices.
• In-depth knowledge of strategic sourcing and procurement principles and industry best practices.
• Strong influencing skills to encourage leaders from across The Hanover towards positive negotiation and contracting results.
• Courage to influence across the organization for compliance with standards and escalate noncompliance when needed.
• Knowledgeable about procurement value stream best practices and proven track record implementing best practices.
• Prior experience in other areas of procurement such as sourcing, category management, supplier management or third-party risk management is desired.
• Experienced working in a highly matrixed organization, ideally with prior experience in financial services or similarly regulated industry.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT:

It’s not just a job, it’s a career, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We want you to be successful and fulfilled. Through on-the-job experiences, personalized coaching and our robust learning and development programs, we encourage you – at every level – to grow and develop.

BENEFITS:

We offer comprehensive benefits to help you be healthy, build financial security, and balance work and home life. At The Hanover, you’ll enjoy what you do and have the support you need to succeed.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401K with a company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Company paid holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Awareness Day in support of IDE
• On-site medical/wellness center (Worcester only)
• Click here for the full list of Benefits

EEO statement:

The Hanover values diversity in the workplace and among our customers.  The company provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to do the available work without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry or any other status protected by law.  

Furthermore, The Hanover Insurance Group is committed to providing an equal opportunity workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment based on national origin, race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.” 

As an equal opportunity employer, Hanover does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities.  Individuals with disabilities who wish to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, should contact us at: HRServices@hanover.com and include the link of the job posting in which you are interested.

Privacy Policy:

To view our privacy policy and online privacy statement, click here.  

Applicants who are California residents: To see the types of information we may collect from applicants and employees and how we use it, please click here.