Overview
Contract Management Advisor Jobs in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada at Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Title: Contract Management Advisor
Company: Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Contract Management Advisor reports to the Manager, Strategic Procurement and 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.
Responsibilities
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.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge
- Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, SOWs, and NDAs.
- Strong understanding of public-sector procurement principles, construction contracts (CCDC), and technology agreements (e.g., SaaS, licensing, implementation).
- Proficiency with eProcurement contract lifecycle management systems (e.g., Bonfire) and database management tools.
- Awareness of corporate governance, compliance, and risk management principles related to contracting.
- Understanding of organizational policies, approval processes, and legal frameworks governing commercial agreements.
Skills
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage and de-escalate difficult conversations tactfully.
- Analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills used to evaluate contractual terms and identify risks or inconsistencies.
- Ability to apply good judgment and provide well-reasoned recommendations to leadership.
- High level of professionalism and attention to detail in documentation and contract management.
Abilities
- Work independently within established policies and guidelines while maintaining accountability for results.
- Exercise discretion in contract review, negotiation, and risk assessment.
- Provide informed advice and recommendations to leadership on contractual matters.
- Escalate high-risk or sensitive issues appropriately, demonstrating situational awareness and maturity.
- Ensure contracting practices are efficient, compliant, and strategically aligned with NSLC objectives.
- Reduce organizational risk exposure through sound governance and risk identification.
- Support efficient delivery of NSLC projects and operations across construction, technology, goods, and services portfolios.
Education and Experience
Required
- 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.
Preferred
- 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.
