Job Summary

Contract Specialists assist with managing clients in a manner that maximizes value for Accenture and our clients. They must be capable of managing contracts, including subcontracts in accordance with company policies and procedures, applicable laws and client business requirements. Contract Specialists are generally co-located with Accenture business/client units and project teams (often on client premises) and are expected to maintain a high level of visibility on the account as they perform their contract management responsibilities. 

Contract Specialists may also direct the work activities of junior contract management professionals and other related engagement staff allocated to a business or client unit, acting as a role model for contract management staff and a trusted partner to the business. They may be client facing and hence may play a key role in building trusted relationships with client counterparts

Key Responsibilities

Leadership/Engagement:

• Lead/participate in contract management team on a specific project or account;
• Work with client engagement teams and client counterparts to assist with day to day contract management support and to understand delivery requirements;
• Drive process efficiency to current tasks and seek innovative ways to improve performance of the team

People & Portfolio Management / Development:

• Supervise, mentor and coach junior contract management staff allocated to a specific project or account to ensure most effective utilization of resources;
• Provide input for priority setting for junior staff; and
• Participate in the development and delivery of contract/commercial training modules for contract management staff on a specific project or account where appropriate.

Risk & Issue Management:

• Assist with reporting, documenting commercial and contract risks and issues, following up with contract management leads to coordinate completion of open actions;
• Escalate matters to CM Management in a timely and controlled fashion (in accordance with guidelines) and help ensure affected parties are notified in an appropriate manner; and
• Assist with drafting and/or reviewing appropriate reports in compliance with contract management processes and account delivery requirements.

Sales Support:

• Provide support for pre-award sales activities including supporting the development of responses to client RFPs or similar, working with business to draft contract schedules and participate in negotiations if required; and

Contracting, Drafting and Negotiation:

• Assist with drafting and review of contractual documents (i.e., Statements of Work, Change Requests, Arrangement Letters, Subcontracts and Non-Disclosure Agreements (not exclusive, etc.) and collaborating with other internal organizations, under direction of a contract management lead where appropriate,
• Observe and/ or participate in negotiations if needed.

Commercial and Contract Management Processes:

• Implement and administer contract management processes together with day to day support on a specific project or account;

Knowledge Skills and Experience

Contract Management Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 4 yrs. relevant experience as a contract manager Demonstrated experience as part of a contract management or procurement team;
• Demonstrated experience of managing contract and commercial issues and understanding main commercial principles: and
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint).

Legal and Contracting Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of general commercial contracting regulations and principles and subcontracting practices
• Basic knowledge and understanding of legal principles as they relate to commercial and contract management considered as a plus

Fluent English and German language skills needed.

Key Relationships

Supervises:

• Junior Contract Management professionals providing services on an account

External Relationships:

• Client commercial/ procurement/ contract management staff

Education and Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum master’s degree required.

Membership:

• Member of Bar Association; International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM) or National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and/ or professional certification considered as a plus.

Work Requirements:

• Travel may be required.

Behaviors and Attributes

• Open to work with and understand cross-cultures and locations throughout the Accenture global organization.
• Understand the value of diversity and recognize the strengths that different styles, innovative perspectives and experiences bring to Accenture. 
• Demonstrate respect for individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, age, disability, culture, social status and/or sexuality.
• Strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills
• Team player, collaborative and persuasive; able to work well with executives and non-executives
• Build trust-based relationships by delivering on commitments.
• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills and an ability to provide appropriate advice

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities.

Visit us at www.accenture.com 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by applicable law. Our rich diversity makes us more innovative, more competitive, and more creative, which helps us better serve our clients and our communities.