Contracts Administrator jobs in Akron, OH

The Ruhlin Company is seeking to hire a Contracts Manager for its corporate office in Sharon Center, Ohio (Medina County). This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is an officed-based role (no remote or hybrid option available).

Summary: Ensure consistent management of all proposals and contracts including, but not limited to, oversight of the contract management process as well as contract negotiations, document management and disputes. The contract development and management process require frequent and effective interaction and consultation with Division Managers, Project Managers, Estimators and Finance.

Responsibilities:

Contracts

• Oversee organizational contract development and management activities and enforce organizational principles of integrity and compliance.
• Develop standards for contract review including payment terms, submittal requirements, notification requirements, schedule requirements, and general language and provisions.
• Perform appropriate research to support contract development and review.
• Conduct contract strategy meetings to identify issues and client requirements and obtain project management input on timeliness and deliverables.
• Engage relevant stakeholders in negotiating decisions involving legal or regulatory requirements and contract standards.
• Draft contractual provisions based on strategy discussions, senior management input and organizational needs and expectations.
• Ensure accuracy and appropriateness of contract text and attachments.
• Serve as secondary organizational contact during contract negotiations.
• Develop summary of contract notification requirements and communicate these requirements to project managers and project staff prior to starting work on projects.
• Ensure that contracts and proposals are properly entered into organizational databases and securely maintained.
• Monitor job completion for contracts which have specific liquidated damages associated with them.

Subcontracts

• Continual review of the standard subcontract agreement to ensure it complies with the ever-changing industry trends.
• Evaluate risk associated with subcontractors’ scope of work to ensure agreement sufficiently transfers appropriate levels of risk from the prime contract to the subcontractor.
• Provide support and recommendations to the divisions when a subcontractor is negotiating terms and conditions.

Claims

• Review contractual performance of both parties to ensure compliance with terms and to identify conflicts or changes requiring resolution.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies that minimize potential losses and benefit the Company’s financial performance.
• Direct, prepare and oversee submittals of claims.
• Engage with outside legal counsel as needed.

Miscellaneous

• Maintain schedule of job office leases and negotiate lease extensions where appropriate.
• Lead annual contractor registration renewal activities including submitting applications and bonds.
• Communicate and reinforce the Company vision, values, and goals.
• Perform additional assignments per supervisor’s direction.
• Maintain deadlines on deliverables and communicate on an ongoing basis with business partners and internal clients about contractual issues.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction, engineering, business, or other relevant field of study.
• Law degree/Juris Doctor degree not required but could justify higher starting salary.
• Minimum two years’ experience in construction or a similar environment preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications.
• Knowledge of claims processing preferred.
• Knowledge of construction contracts with prior construction contract review experience preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Team focused mindset to build strong working relationships.
• Knowledge of construction methods.
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills.
• CPM scheduling software experience preferred.
• Commitment to Company values.

Direct Report(s): None

About The Ruhlin Company
The Ruhlin Company was founded on a corporate philosophy of partnership. Since 1915, we have created cooperative relationships with our clients by listening closely to their needs and successfully translating their visions into reality. Client satisfaction is the bedrock of our reputation, earned through innovative construction technology, experienced leadership and an unswerving commitment to quality. Today Ruhlin enjoys a national reputation as a construction services leader.

The Ruhlin Company offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees including Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), 401k with company match, Bonus, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability coverage, paid vacation and sick days.

The Ruhlin Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in Ohio's Drug Free Safety Program