Senior Contracts Officer

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Executive Director, Financial Planning the Senior Contracts Officer is a key member of Columbia Business School's Office of the Dean, responsible for independently managing a wide range of agreements, including those supporting Executive Education. This role ensures agreements are executed efficiently and consistently, in alignment with applicable laws, University statutes, Office of General Counsel policies, and the School's strategic priorities.

Beyond day-to-day contract management, the Senior Contracts Officer advances CBS's academic and operational mission by championing compliance, enhancing operational effectiveness, and driving innovation in contracting practices. This work strengthens the Schools partnerships, expands Executive Education opportunities, and supports Columbia Business School's long-term strategic growth.

This position requires deep attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to balance compliance obligations with the need to foster positive, long-term relationships with faculty, external partners, and University stakeholders.

About Columbia Business School

For over a century, Columbia Business School has developed leaders and builders of enterprises who create value for their organizations and society. Through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs, CBS prepares students to lead in a rapidly changing world.

Our cutting-edge curriculum, STEM-certified programs, and immersive experiential learning opportunities equip students to thrive in areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, twenty-first-century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability.

CBS administration enables the School's educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational excellence. We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing community that drives innovation and impact from the very center of business.

Responsibilities

Contract Management & Negotiation

Leads the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, including Executive Education agreements, ensuring alignment with federal regulations, University statutes, and pre-existing obligations.

Redlines and proposes revisions to agreements; negotiates mutually acceptable terms with external counsel, licensing officers, and partner institutions.

Coordinates with the Office of the General Counsel for approval of execution copies where required and, manages the final execution of agreements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Support

Partners with CBS faculty, administrators, and external parties to ensure agreements meet operational needs and academic priorities.

Serves as the primary contracts liaison to Executive Education, supporting program managers and faculty in structuring agreements with corporate clients, custom program partners, and international institutions.

Builds and sustains collaborative relationships to support successful, long-term partnerships.

Risk Assessment & Compliance Monitoring

Conducts risk assessments of proposed agreements to identify financial, reputational, or legal risks for the School.

Ensures compliance with University standards related to data security, export controls, privacy, intellectual property, and international partnerships.

Policy Development & Training

Contributes to the development and refinement of School-wide contracting policies, templates, and best practices.

Provides training and guidance to faculty and staff on contract processes, standard clauses, and compliance expectations.

Reporting & Analytics

Tracks, analyzes, and reports on contract activity, throughput, and turnaround times to inform leadership decisions and resource allocation.

Maintains detailed records of negotiation progress and executed agreements to ensure accountability and institutional memory.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Improvement

Collaborates closely with Finance, Procurement, Risk Management, and Academic divisions to ensure contracts align with financial and operational policies.

Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, leverage data, and improve efficiency in contracting practices across CBS.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; JD strongly preferred.

Minimum of five years' experience in contracts management, legal affairs, or compliance within a university, law firm, or in-house legal department.

Demonstrated success negotiating and managing contracts in complex, multi-stakeholder environments; prior experience with Executive Education or academic agreements strongly preferred.

Familiarity with intellectual property concepts, federal guidelines, and NIH regulations.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex terms to diverse audiences.

Strong organizational skills, analytical ability, and attention to detail.

Capacity to exercise sound judgment, prioritize multiple projects, and meet deadlines under pressure.

Proficiency with contract management systems and strong computer literacy.

Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.