Contracts Specialist

About the Role The role is responsible for the management and organization of complex and potentially high-risk rights and permissions contracts. You will be collaboration with other Data Operations Teams, Sales, Product, Legal, and external third-party content providers. The focus of the role is enabling compliant, successful commercial outcomes, customer satisfaction around contracting. You will also need to be able to develop a strategic view of how new Legal toolkits and AI service play a role in enhancing efficiencies across the end-to-end rights and permissions lifecycle.  This Contract Manager will be working with the Publishing Relationship Managers to negotiate, create, review, and manage third party publisher contracts (Elsevier third party licenses/Efeed contracts) and permission forms while ensuring compliance with copyright laws, intellectual property rights, and industry and regional regulations. You will support key stakeholders with general legal questions on rights and permissions and contract creation and commercial negotiation support. You will create relevant documentation, leveraging internal policies and legal toolkits to support the third-party engagements on rights and permissions and to build our external business partner relationships. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the way we work with 3PP (Content Partners), and to build contracting strategies, enhance publishing collaborations, and ensure legal and commercial success.  Responsibilities  Contract Management Support contract negotiations, perform contract management and customer contact, as necessary, to provide proper contract fulfilment, aligning with company policies, legal, and customer requirements. Working with third party content providers, Legal, Product, and Operations to develop, review feed contract requirements. Stakeholder Management: Managing executed contracts by working closely with the Product teams and Operations to identify, develop and negotiate work required by the third-party content provider that is outside of the signed contract.  Process Optimization and Documentation: Support the preparation of contracts, amendments & renewals. Customizes documents to accurately reflect services to be provided, oversees finalization of documents and distributions to the third-party content provider and internal departments. Identifying, developing, and implementing strategies for increasing efficiencies on assigned projects.  Compliance and Risk assessment: Ensuring that contractual documentation complies to applicable law and Elsevier and RELX policies. Recognizing and escalating matters that create significant risks to the business.  Self-Organized: Working independently, consulting with senior members of the Legal and Operations team and business stakeholders as appropriate. Legal Knowledge: Excellent organizational skills, high-level understanding of contract management, detail-oriented, capable of designing, implementing and maintaining efficient processes.  Requirements  Bachelor’s or master’s degree in law or equivalent with 7-10 years of Contract Management experience  Fluent in English Strong communication and collaboration skills required  A proven self-starter who anticipates business needs  Ability to manage different priorities in a dynamic environment  Prior experience in the use of contract management tools like Conga or Luminance a plus.  Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and taking calculated risks when making decisions and to be self-motivated and self-directed   Work in a way that works for you We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals. Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive Working for You We know that your wellbeing and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer: Comprehensive Health Insurance: Covers you, your immediate family, and parents. Enhanced Health Insurance Options: Competitive rates negotiated by the company. Group Life Insurance: Ensuring financial security for your loved ones. Group Accident Insurance: Extra protection for accidental death and permanent disablement. Flexible Working Arrangement: Achieve a harmonious work-life balance. Employee Assistance Program: Access support for personal and work-related challenges. Medical Screening: Your well-being is a top priority. Modern Family Benefits: Maternity, paternity, and adoption support. Long-Service Awards: Recognizing dedication and commitment. New Baby Gift: Celebrating the joy of parenthood. Subsidized Meals in Chennai: Enjoy delicious meals at discounted rates. Various Paid Time Off: Take time off with Casual Leave, Sick Leave, Privilege Leave, Compassionate Leave, Special Sick Leave, and Gazetted Public Holidays. Free Transport pick up and drop from the home -office - home (applies in Chennai)