Job Description: Contract Manager / Senior Contract Manager

Position Title: Contract Administrator (or Senior Contract Administrator)
Location: Manteno, IL
Pay Range: $80,000 – $100,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Contract Administrator to support our expanding legal and commercial operations. This role will partner closely with General Counsel, cross-functional business teams, and external stakeholders to manage the full contract life cycle, strengthen compliance, and improve the company’s contract documentation infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Lifecycle Management

• Draft, review, edit, and finalize a variety of commercial and vendor contracts, NDAs, service agreements, and amendments.
• Ensure contracts are accurate, compliant with internal standards, and adhere to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate contract negotiations with internal stakeholders and external parties.

Document & Data Management

• Lead efforts with General Counsel to select, implement, and maintain contract/document management systems (e.g., CLM tools, contract workflow automation).
• Develop and enforce standardized templates, clauses, and naming conventions within the contract management system.
• Ensure accurate tagging, storage, and retrieval of contractual documents.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal teams to align contract terms with business objectives.
• Provide guidance on contractual language and risk considerations to non-legal personnel.

Compliance, Risk & Reporting

• Monitor key contract dates (renewals, expirations, obligations) and administer alerts or dashboards.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing contract summaries and documentation.
• Identify and escalate risk issues and recommend mitigation strategies.

Process Improvement

• Analyze existing contract processes and implement improvements to increase efficiency and reduce risk.
• Train internal stakeholders on contract protocols and use of contract management tools.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and/or paralegal certification
• 2+ years of experience in contract administration, paralegal work, or related role; tech or corporate experience preferred.
• Proficiency with contract/document management systems and MS Office suite.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience implementing or administering contract lifecycle management (CLM) software.
• Prior exposure to SaaS, IT services, or technology procurement contracts.
• Corporate record-keeping experience is a plus.
• Bilingual in Mandarin and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills for collaboration with international teams and stakeholders

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation with performance-based increases
• Comprehensive benefits (health, 401K match, PTO)
• Opportunity to make strategic impact on legal and business operations
• Innovative work environment

Position Overview

As the first Legal Counsel for the Manteno plant, you will serve as the primary legal advisor for all local operations. You will work closely with plant leadership, corporate headquarters, and external counsel to ensure compliance with U.S. federal and Illinois state laws, with a strong focus on labor relations and corporate law. This role is critical in supporting Gotion’s growth and mitigating legal risks in the manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise management on labor and employment law matters, including union-related issues, employee relations, dispute resolution, and compliance with U.S. and Illinois labor regulations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and corporate documents to support plant operations.
• Provide legal guidance on corporate governance and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Support and oversee environmental compliance matters, ensuring adherence to applicable environmental laws and regulations relevant to manufacturing.
• Partner with HR to address workplace disputes, employee grievances, and disciplinary matters.
• Manage legal aspects of compliance programs, audits, and investigations.
  Collaborate with external counsel for specialized or complex matters.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws and regulations, advising leadership on potential impacts.
• Contribute to building the legal function for the plant, laying the groundwork for future expansion of the legal team.
  
  

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized law school.
• 5+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably including in-house counsel experience in the manufacturing sector.
• Proven expertise in labor and employment law (including union negotiations and dispute resolution).
• Solid understanding of corporate law and contract management.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance regulations in the U.S. manufacturing context.
• Familiarity with Illinois state laws and regulatory environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• High level of integrity, judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
  
  

Nice-to-Have

• Experience working in a multinational corporation, especially with Chinese or Asian-based parent companies.
• Prior experience setting up a legal function in a new facility or business unit.
  
  

Why Join Gotion

• Be the founding legal advisor for a major U.S. manufacturing site.
• Shape the legal framework for a high-growth, mission-driven company in the clean energy sector.
• Work in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment with opportunities for professional growth.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $180k –$250k, plus eligibility for bonus and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by factors such as the role, level, and geographic location. The range listed in the job posting represents the minimum and maximum target salaries for this position across all U.S. locations. Actual compensation within the range will be influenced by the specific work location, along with factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will provide more details about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the listed compensation reflects the base salary only and does not include bonus or benefits.

About the Role:

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic legal leader to join our team as General Counsel/Legal Director. In this critical role, you will lead a team of lawyers and legal professionals, providing comprehensive legal counsel and guidance across all aspects of our business. You will partner with senior management to develop and implement effective legal strategies that support our business objectives while mitigating risk.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the company's legal department, overseeing all legal matters and ensuring efficient and effective legal operations.
• Provide strategic legal advice and counsel to the President and Executive Team on a wide range of matters, including corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, securities law, intellectual property, contracts, compliance, and risk management.
• Manage and mentor the in-house legal team, fostering a strong legal culture and ensuring professional development opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external counsel, leveraging their expertise when needed.
• Stay current on legal developments impacting the energy/manufacturing industry and advise the company on how to navigate them effectively.
• Develop and implement comprehensive legal compliance programs to mitigate legal risks and ensure adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.
• Participate in strategic business discussions and contribute to the development and execution of corporate strategy.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a well-known law school.
• 10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, with at least 3 years of experience in a leadership or management role.
• 5+ years of experience working within the Energy/Manufacturing industry.
• 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: investment, financing, international business, engineering, construction, sales, contracts, or procurement.
• Proven track record of success in providing strategic legal counsel and managing complex legal matters.
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to build and motivate a high-performing team.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Strong ethical principles and commitment to the highest standards of professionalism.
• Demonstrated bilingual capability in Mandarin and English; Mandarin language proficiency strongly preferred.

Position Overview

As the first Legal Counsel for the Manteno plant, you will serve as the primary legal advisor for all local operations. You will work closely with plant leadership, corporate headquarters, and external counsel to ensure compliance with U.S. federal and Illinois state laws, with a strong focus on labor relations and corporate law. This role is critical in supporting Gotion’s growth and mitigating legal risks in the manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal point of contact for the Manteno plant.
• Advise management on labor and employment law matters, including union-related issues, employee relations, dispute resolution, and compliance with U.S. and Illinois labor regulations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and corporate documents to support plant operations.
• Provide legal guidance on corporate governance and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Support and oversee environmental compliance matters, ensuring adherence to applicable environmental laws and regulations relevant to manufacturing.
• Partner with HR to address workplace disputes, employee grievances, and disciplinary matters.
• Manage legal aspects of compliance programs, audits, and investigations.
  Collaborate with external counsel for specialized or complex matters.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws and regulations, advising leadership on potential impacts.
• Contribute to building the legal function for the plant, laying the groundwork for future expansion of the legal team.
  
  

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized law school.
• Active license to practice law in Illinois (or ability to obtain in a timely manner).
• 5+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably including in-house counsel experience in the manufacturing sector.
• Proven expertise in labor and employment law (including union negotiations and dispute resolution).
• Solid understanding of corporate law and contract management.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance regulations in the U.S. manufacturing context.
• Familiarity with Illinois state laws and regulatory environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• High level of integrity, judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
  
  

Nice-to-Have

• Experience working in a multinational corporation, especially with Chinese or Asian-based parent companies.
• Prior experience setting up a legal function in a new facility or business unit.
  
  

Why Join Gotion

• Be the founding legal advisor for a major U.S. manufacturing site.
• Shape the legal framework for a high-growth, mission-driven company in the clean energy sector.
• Work in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment with opportunities for professional growth.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $180k –$250k, plus eligibility for bonus and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by factors such as the role, level, and geographic location. The range listed in the job posting represents the minimum and maximum target salaries for this position across all U.S. locations. Actual compensation within the range will be influenced by the specific work location, along with factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will provide more details about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the listed compensation reflects the base salary only and does not include bonus or benefits.