Sr. Commercial Contracts Manager

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for negotiating high-impact commercial contracts?
Do you have experience leading complex IT service agreements and enjoy solving challenges across various enterprise needs?
Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where your insights drive real organizational value?

We are seeking a Commercial Contracts Manager to lead the development, negotiation, and management of large-scale commercial service agreements-particularly for IT implementation projects and other strategic services. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to enterprise departments, working cross-functionally to shape contract strategies that drive streamlined operations, risk mitigation, and long-term value.

You will bring deep experience in the full contract lifecycle, strong technical fluency in commercial contracting (particularly for IT), and a proactive solutions-oriented mindset.

As a Commercial Contracts Manager you will...

• Lead the development and negotiation of commercial agreements for IT systems and implementation services for enterprise-wide service providers, consulting firms, and other strategic suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., IT, HR & Finance) to shape Statements of Work (SOWs), define deliverables, and recommend optimal contract types.
• Assess internal service procurement patterns and develop scalable, strategic approaches for recurring and complex service categories to drive consistency and value across the enterprise.
• Conduct market research, solicitations, and supplier analysis to support sourcing strategies and best value determinations.
• Advise stakeholders on commercial risks and terms, including intellectual property, indemnification, liability, and data privacy/security.
• Draft and negotiate a range of agreements, including:
  • Master Service Agreements (MSAs)
  • Software and SaaS licenses
  • Implementation and integration services contracts
  • Managed services agreements
  • Consulting and professional service engagements
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by promoting contracting best practices and contributing to process enhancements.
• Ensure compliance and documentation integrity across contract files and procurement systems.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; or equivalent years of professional commercial contract management experience;
• Have 7 or more years of professional experience in contracts, subcontracts, or procurement, with a focus on negotiating and administering commercial technical services agreements;
• Have experience negotiating a wide range of contract types, such as software/SaaS licenses, enterprise services agreements, and/or professional service contracts;
• Demonstrate strong negotiation, problem-solving, and relationship management skills;
• Are familiar with key principles of risk management, indemnification, limitation of liability, and intellectual property as they relate to commercial contracting;
• Hold U.S. Citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL's facilities and networks, subject to applicable laws;

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Possess an advanced degree (e.g., MBA, JD, or similar);
• Have expertise performing complex cost/price analyses;
• Hold a professional certification such as CFCM or CPCM.
• Experience leading category strategy or strategic sourcing initiatives.

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Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.