Contracts Manager, Global Contracts

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Contracts Manager, Global Contracts

Job Summary

In this new role as Contracts Manager, Global Contracts you will primarily be responsible for providing support to our strategic customers and in particular customers who purchase our hyperscale services globally. Your responsibilities will include support of pre-contract RFP through to final contract negotiations. This includes facilitating and owning certain processes that are essential to contract closure (e.g. obtain approvals) supporting the review and drafting of contractual documentation including technical specifications as well as design and construction requirements and obtaining contract sign off.  

You will participate in regular meetings with cross functional working groups (including within OneLegal and between Equinix and its suppliers), finding innovative ways to simplify our operating model, modernizing our tools and improving our processes, as well as advising on issues and risk in alignment with our commercial, corporate and strategic objectives for the global business. The contracts you will work on are highly complex, cover our most strategic customers and focus mainly on large footprint opportunities which require speed, business savviness and an appropriate level of governance. 

Responsibilities 

• Handling pre- and post- signing contract interaction with stakeholders and customers, non-standard language on Equinix template and customer template contracts and other Customer requests, to ensure that the contracts accurately reflect Equinix's position and are approved in a timely manner including where required working with the negotiation team

• In support of team and other senior legal counsels, working on complex to highly complex contracts for our strategic customers purchasing and interacting with Equinix including for the hyperscale business and other Strategic customers / large footprint deals. In addition, from time to time may handle other work; and generally handling matters including the review, revision, and resolution of customer contracts, utilizing personal legal acumen and discretion, to ensure contracts properly protect Equinix or its hyperscale business

• In support of the primary negotiator, responsible for coordinating, obtaining, and recording all proper business approvals needed for contract execution/process for contracts and governance thereto

• Supporting to resolve pre- and post-signature customer issues and liaises with various internal departments. 

• Providing risk assessment, legal advice, and contract interpretation guidance to all Equinix business units (e.g., Sales, Operations)

• Conducting additional contract research and interpretation, and, together with other legal team members’ research findings, providing guidance on day-to-day issues, including transactional and non-transactional matters

Customer Lifecycle Management Tasks 

• Prioritizing work, based on deal size, complexity and impact, against bandwidth dedicated to other deals, projects or initiatives, as well as personal development tasks

• Leading effort on identifying customer contracts, negotiations, and customer interactions which do not comply with Equinix policies, processes, and procedures and escalates to manager so non-compliance may be addressed

Tracking 

• Acting as an ambassador on behalf of the wider team in the use of the contract management system and knowledge repositories

Customer Contracts Administration 

• Supporting to resolve any issues or disputes and on any other customer contract related issues as may arise. To coordinate all efforts with other senior legal counsels

• Collaborating and supporting other senior legal counsels on project-based initiatives including liaison cross functionally with other teams

Process Management 

• Championing contract policy and procedure revision and improvement, by contributing suggested revisions to the templates and processes used in support of customer contracts

• Proactively searching for and publicly highlighting with senior management opportunities to streamline processes regarding the development, negotiation, and execution of  contracts

• Professional development should include keeping pace with internal and external changes and evolutions in contract drafting and contract management market, and industry trends

• Staying informed on the then current Equinix business objectives and corporate initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree

• 3-5+ years related training, or equivalent combination of education/training and experience, either in-house and/or at a law firm

• Experience in handling complex contracts with detailed technical specifications would be advantageous

• Experience managing and organizing large deals/projects simultaneously under deadline pressure

• Attention to detail and analytical skills

• Agile, adaptable and able to pivot when necessary to keep up with customer or business objectives, with a solution-oriented mindset

• Ability to work globally and able to proficiently use technology tools

• Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on teamwork and ability to foster/manage relationships across multiple departments

• The idea of supporting a fast-growing and innovative business, as well as our most strategic customers, energizes you

• Located in Dallas or Toronto preferred

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability.  If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.