Contracts Manager

Contract (Fractional) Contracts Manager – SaaS (Upshop)Location: Remote (U.S. preferred)Type: Contract / Fractional (20–40 hours/week, flexible)Duration: 3–6 months (with potential to extend)About UpshopUpshop powers smarter store operations for retailers by combining data, AI, and execution workflows across fresh, center store, and inventory management. Our platform helps retailers reduce waste, optimize inventory, and improve profitability at scale.Role OverviewWe are looking for an experienced Contracts Manager (Contract/Fractional) to support our commercial team by managing and negotiating customer agreements. This role will focus on reviewing, redlining, and negotiating SaaS contracts, ensuring alignment with Upshop's risk posture while enabling deal velocity. This is a high-impact, execution-oriented role ideal for someone who has operated in fast-paced SaaS environments and can work directly with Sales, Legal, and Finance stakeholders.Key ResponsibilitiesReview, draft, and negotiate customer agreements (MSAs, Order Forms, DPAs, SOWs)Lead redline negotiations with customers and their legal teamsBalance risk mitigation with commercial pragmatism to avoid deal frictionDeal SupportPartner closely with Sales to accelerate deal cycles and remove contract bottlenecksProvide clear guidance on acceptable positions, fallback language, and trade-offsJoin customer calls when needed to resolve contractual issues in real timeHelp refine and maintain contract templates and fallback positionsBuild and document negotiation playbooks and clause librariesIdentify recurring negotiation themes and recommend structural improvementsEnsure contracts align with company policies on liability, indemnification, data privacy, and SLAsEscalate non-standard or high-risk terms appropriatelyCollaborate with outside counsel as needed for complex issuesQualifications5+ years of experience in contracts management, legal ops, or commercial legal rolesStrong experience negotiating SaaS agreements (MSAs, DPAs, SLAs, enterprise deals)Deep familiarity with key legal concepts:Limitation of liabilityIndemnificationData privacy & security (GDPR/CCPA awareness)Service levels & uptime commitmentsProven ability to negotiate directly with enterprise customersComfortable operating in a high-growth, fast-paced SaaS environmentStrong judgment with a pragmatic, business-oriented mindsetExcellent written and verbal communication skillsNice to HaveExperience in retail, grocery, supply chain, or store operations softwareBackground working with private equity-backed or growth-stage SaaS companiesFamiliarity with tools like Ironclad, DocuSign CLM, or similar contract lifecycle platformsWhat Success Looks LikeReduced contract cycle times and faster deal closureConsistent, scalable approach to handling redlinesImproved alignment between Sales and Legal on deal strategyClear documentation of fallback positions and negotiation standardsWhy This RoleImmediate impact on revenue velocity and deal executionHigh visibility with leadership across Sales, Finance, and LegalFlexible structure with potential to evolve into a longer-term roleJ-18808-Ljbffr