Contracts Strategy Analyst in Cambridge, Massachusetts at Harvard University

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School/Unit Harvard University Central Administration
Department Financial Administration
Job Function Finance
Location Cambridge
Job Type Full-time
Salary Grade 057
FLSA Status Exempt
Union 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Term Appointment No

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University’s teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with university and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University.

More about FAD:
Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change.

Within our own community, we aspire to:

• Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity
• Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility
• Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary

Learn more about Financial Administration (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units. (https://finance.harvard.edu/)

Harvard University’s Strategic Procurement Department is a central administrative function that serves all Harvard schools, institutes, and administrative units. Our mission is to create value for Harvard by optimizing the procurement of goods and services while upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and supplier partnership. We manage over $3.5 billion in annual addressable spend and are committed to practices that support balance of trade, environmental sustainability, and the University’s long-term financial health.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Contracting, the Contracts Strategy Analyst supports contract lifecycle activities across Harvard schools and departments, with a dual focus on complex contract review and transforming lower-complexity contracting work. This role manages high-visibility agreements while driving scalable solutions to improve efficiency across the contracting function.

The role also works closely with the Office of Contracting services leadership team to lead automation, templates, and AI-enabled workflows to streamline or eliminate manual review of high-volume, low-risk agreements (e.g., NDAs, hotel and event agreements).

Working with Strategic Procurement, OGC, Risk Management, and stakeholders, this role ensures compliance, manages pipelines, and supports strategic contracting initiatives.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Provides advice on contract structuring, risk, and negotiation strategy by providing robust redlines to business owners.
• Lead automation and standardization of low-risk agreements, such as NDAs, hotel, events, and some software agreements.
• Support the design and maintenance of templates, playbooks, and AI-enabled workflows
• Oversee intake, triage, and contract tracking
• Maintain contract data integrity and reporting insights
• Support leadership on strategic initiatives and coordination, specifically the implementation of a new procurement orchestration system for contracting.
• Provide training and support change management efforts

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

For consideration, please include a cover letter.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• JD strongly preferred
• Experience negotiating complex agreements
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management systems, for example Ironclad, Jaggaer, and Zip.
• Experience or interest in automation and AI workflows
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Ability to operate strategically and tactically
• Experience managing cross-functional initiatives

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

• Working Conditions: Hybrid; 1-2 days onsite per week on average plus ad-hoc meetings
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

#LI-JD3

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.