Contract Specialist
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC)
Halifax, NS
Closed
Job Details:
Benefits:
The Contract Specialist supports the NSLC's corporate contracting and procurement activities through the preparation, review, negotiation, and management of a wide range of commercial agreements including construction, technology, goods, and services contracts. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with the Procurement team to ensure contracting practices are aligned with organizational objectives and technology solutions.
The position applies solid knowledge of contract management and public-sector procurement principles to enable effective business outcomes, mitigate risk, and maintain compliance with legislation and NSLC policy. The role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage difficult conversations with vendors or internal partners, and to exercise good judgment when making recommendations to leadership.
Essential Responsibilities
- Manage the full lifecycle of contracts - from intake and drafting through negotiation, execution, renewal, and termination - across construction, technology, goods, and services categories.
- Draft, review, and revise commercial agreements (e.g., CCDC forms, supplier and service agreements, SOWs, NDAs, and technology contracts) to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance.
- Lead or support contract negotiations with vendors, contractors, and service providers, balancing business objectives, policy requirements, and risk mitigation.
- Identify and assess contractual risks; apply sound judgment to recommend practical solutions or escalate high-risk issues to the Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance.
- Consult and coordinate with external legal counsel on specialized or complex contract issues, ensuring timely review, alignment with NSLC objectives, and appropriate documentation of legal advice.
- Ensure all contracts comply with the Nova Scotia Procurement Act, NSLC policies, and relevant legal and regulatory standards.
- Act as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders on contract-related inquiries, providing advice and guidance throughout the contracting process.
- Support the deployment and integration of the Contracts module within Bonfire, collaborating with the Procurement team to ensure effective adoption and process alignment.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date information in the contract lifecycle management (CLM) system, including key terms, milestones, and renewal tracking.
- Monitor vendor and contractor performance to ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations and service levels, work with internal and external stakeholders to address non-compliance as needed.
- Prepare and present contract summaries, risk assessments, and performance reports to inform decision-making by leadership.
- Foster collaboration across Legal, Procurement, Risk, and business teams, promoting consistent contract practices, strong communication, and informed decision-making.
Secondary Responsibilities
- Support the continuous improvement of NSLC's contract lifecycle management (CLM) system, tools, and templates to enhance consistency, efficiency, and compliance.
- Provide training, coaching, and resources to internal teams on contracting processes, documentation standards, and risk awareness.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of contract policies, clause libraries, and procedural guides.
- Participate in cross-functional projects and process reviews that strengthen procurement, contract governance, and vendor relationship management.
- Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency and support Corporate Affairs and Procurement leadership in advancing best practices.
As a qualified candidate, you will have:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Law, or related field.
- Minimum 3 years' experience in contract management, procurement, or legal operations, preferably in construction, technology, or goods and services contracting.
- Experience drafting, negotiating, and administering complex commercial agreements, including SOWs, NDAs, and vendor/service contracts.
- Experience working in a public-sector or regulated environment with knowledge of procurement legislation and accountability frameworks.
As the ideal candidate, you will also have:
- Prior exposure to CCDC construction contracts and technology agreements (e.g., SaaS, licensing, implementation) considered an asset.
- Proficiency with contract lifecycle management (CLM) or procurement systems; experience optimizing or maintaining such systems is an advantage.
- Professional certification or formal training in Contract Management or Procurement (e.g., NCMA, WorldCC, SCMP, or equivalent) is considered an asset.
- Experience working cross-functionally with legal, risk, and finance teams in support of strategic or operational contracting needs.
To be considered for this role, please apply online by the posting deadline.
