Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for SaaS Contract Specialist

💰 $75,000 - $115,000

LegalProcurementITContracts Management

🎯 Role Definition

The SaaS Contract Specialist is a pivotal strategic partner within the organization, sitting at the intersection of technology, legal, and finance. This role goes far beyond simple administration; it's about proactively managing our entire portfolio of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreements to maximize value, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance. You will be the central point of expertise for all SaaS-related contractual matters, guiding stakeholders through complex negotiations, interpreting intricate terms, and maintaining the integrity of our contract management ecosystem. Your work directly impacts our operational efficiency, financial health, and security posture by ensuring we have the right tools, on the right terms, at the right time.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Paralegal (with a focus on corporate or technology law)
  • Procurement Specialist or Analyst
  • IT Asset Management Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Contracts Manager or Lead Contract Specialist
  • IT or Technology Procurement Manager
  • Director of Vendor Management

Lateral Moves:

  • Vendor Relationship Manager
  • IT Asset Manager
  • Commercial Counsel (with further legal education)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Draft, review, redline, and negotiate a high volume of complex SaaS agreements, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Data Processing Addendums (DPAs), and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
  • Lead the end-to-end negotiation process for new SaaS acquisitions, renewals, and amendments, with a sharp focus on securing favorable commercial terms, robust service levels, and mitigating long-term legal risk.
  • Manage the entire contract lifecycle, from initial intake and stakeholder consultation through negotiation, signature, execution, and eventual renewal or termination.
  • Act as the primary liaison between internal business stakeholders (such as IT, Security, Finance, and Legal) and external SaaS vendor representatives to ensure alignment on business requirements and contractual obligations.
  • Maintain and meticulously manage a centralized contract repository (CLM system), ensuring all contract data, key dates, and associated documentation are accurate, complete, and easily accessible.
  • Proactively monitor and track crucial contract milestones, including renewal notification periods, price adjustment windows, and termination for convenience clauses, to prevent auto-renewals and enable timely strategic decisions.
  • Analyze and interpret complex and often ambiguous contract terms to provide clear, actionable guidance to business leaders on potential risks, financial exposures, and operational opportunities.
  • Partner closely with the Information Security and Privacy teams to rigorously review and negotiate security exhibits and data processing agreements, ensuring compliance with global regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
  • Develop and implement standardized contract templates, negotiation playbooks, and best-practice process documentation to streamline the SaaS procurement lifecycle and improve consistency.
  • Conduct thorough market research and supplier benchmarking to ensure the company achieves competitive and fair pricing and terms for all SaaS subscriptions and services.
  • Track, analyze, and report on company-wide SaaS spend, usage metrics, and license compliance to identify significant cost-saving opportunities and areas for optimization.
  • Serve as the central point of contact and subject matter expert for all inquiries from internal teams and external vendors regarding the status, interpretation, or obligations of any SaaS agreement.
  • Lead the resolution of contractual disputes, service level failures, or commercial issues that may arise during the term of an agreement, working to find mutually agreeable solutions.
  • Ensure that all SaaS contracts and related procurement activities are in strict compliance with internal company policies, established legal standards, and relevant industry regulations.
  • Facilitate the internal contract approval and signature workflow, diligently routing agreements to the appropriate authorized personnel and ensuring proper execution in a timely manner.
  • Cultivate and manage strategic vendor relationships post-signature to drive ongoing performance, maximize value, and foster successful long-term partnerships.
  • Develop and present insightful reports and dashboards to leadership, providing clear visibility into contract status, upcoming obligations, vendor performance, and key risk indicators (KRIs).
  • Support software asset management (SAM) and IT finance initiatives by providing precise contract entitlement information to optimize license usage and avoid non-compliance penalties.
  • Perform detailed risk assessments of third-party vendor contracts, evaluating liabilities, indemnification clauses, limitations of liability, and data security commitments.
  • Provide ongoing training and practical guidance to business unit managers and other internal teams on the company's contract management processes, policies, and best practices.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to vendor spend and contract trends.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data governance and technology procurement strategy.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their software needs and data requirements into clear contractual specifications.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if the procurement or legal team operates within that framework.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Contract Drafting & Redlining: Expertise in drafting clear, unambiguous contract language and skillfully redlining vendor paper to align with company standards.
  • Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) Software: Hands-on experience with CLM platforms like Ironclad, Coupa, Agiloft, or similar systems for repository management and workflow automation.
  • SaaS Management Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Zylo, BetterCloud, or Flexera for tracking SaaS spend, usage, and optimization.
  • Negotiation Strategy & Tactics: Proven ability to lead commercial and legal negotiations, understanding leverage points and creative trade-offs.
  • Legal & Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of key legal concepts (indemnity, liability, data privacy, IP) and commercial terms (pricing models, SLAs, payment terms).
  • Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Skill in identifying and evaluating potential risks within a contract and proposing effective mitigation strategies.
  • Financial Analysis: Ability to analyze pricing structures, create cost-benefit analyses, and model the financial impact of contract terms.
  • Vendor Management: Experience in the principles of managing and evaluating vendor performance against contractual obligations.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to spot inconsistencies, errors, and risks in lengthy and complex legal documents.
  • Stakeholder Management: The ability to build rapport and influence a diverse group of internal stakeholders with competing priorities.
  • Exceptional Communication: Capable of translating complex legal and technical jargon into clear, concise business language for both written and verbal communication.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving Mindset: A natural inclination to dissect problems, analyze data, and develop logical, well-reasoned solutions.
  • Superior Organizational & Time Management Skills: The capacity to manage a high volume of concurrent contracts and deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Business Acumen: A strong understanding of how contractual terms impact business operations, finance, and overall company strategy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college.

Preferred Education:

  • Juris Doctor (JD), Paralegal Certificate, or Master's in Business Administration (MBA).
  • Certifications such as Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) or Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Law or Pre-Law
  • Finance
  • Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in contract management, strategic sourcing, or technology procurement.

Preferred: Demonstrable experience focused specifically on negotiating technology agreements, with a strong emphasis on SaaS, cloud services, and software licensing. Proven track record of managing a large portfolio of contracts and delivering measurable cost savings and risk reduction.

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