Sr. Specialist, Contracts
NextDecade · Houston Corporate
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SUMMARY OF THE ROLE
Reporting to the Director of Contracts, the Sr. Specialist, Contracts is responsible for leading end‑to‑end strategic sourcing and contract lifecycle activities for complex, high‑value commercial agreements.
This role manages sourcing events, competitive bidding, negotiations, contract drafting, and post‑award administration while ensuring alignment with company governance, risk frameworks, and business objectives. The Sr. Specialist collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams and suppliers to drive optimal commercial outcomes, maintain contractual compliance, and support continuous improvement across sourcing and contracting processes. This is a strategic, hands-on role that requires strategic thinking, attention to details and the ability to drive the results in a fast paced, cross-functional environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead end‑to‑end sourcing events for high‑value and high‑risk contracts, including planning, market analysis, competitive bidding, evaluation, negotiation, and award.
- Develop sourcing strategies based on market intelligence, supplier capability, spend analysis, risk assessment, and business requirements.
- Prepare and manage RFx packages (RFI, RFP) and ensure clarity, completeness, and alignment with company standards.
- Coordinate fair and transparent bid evaluations across technical, commercial, and legal teams, including price normalization and consensus scoring.
- Prepare award recommendations and secure approvals in accordance with Delegation of Authority.
- Lead commercial negotiations for MPSA, MSA, FEED, EPC, and similar agreements to secure optimal pricing, terms, and risk allocation.
- Draft, redline, and revise contract language to reflect negotiated terms and mitigate commercial and contractual risk.
- Maintain version control and ensure accuracy and integrity of negotiation documentation.
- Support post‑award transition, including supplier kickoff, contract handover, and communication of key contractual obligations.
- Perform contract administration by tracking deliverables, obligations, milestones, and performance to ensure compliance.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve contract‑related issues, disputes, or claims.
- Prepare and issue amendments, change orders, and notices in coordination with stakeholders.
- Maintain complete and accurate contract records within the contract management system.
- Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with internal governance, procedures, and audit requirements.
- Develop and improve standard templates, playbooks, and tools to enhance the sourcing and contracting process.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen commercial outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Build strong internal and external relationships and proactively anticipate business needs and challenges.
EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & COMPETENCIES
Basic Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in contract management in the energy sector, particularly with strategic sourcing, PSA, MSA contracts.
- Experience working in a matrixed organization and excelling in a dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives.
- Excellent negotiation skills and oral and written communication.
- Excellent people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.
Preferred Requirements:
- National Contracts Management Association (NCMA).
- Supply Chain certifications such as CPSM, CCCM, CPCM, CSCP, MCIPS or other relevant certifications.
Work Environment
This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift.
Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations:
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary.
- Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions.
- While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear.
- The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities.
- Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.
*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
NEXTDECADE VALUES
- Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
- Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
- Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
- Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
- Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.
- Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.
NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.