Contract Manager, Legal & Contracts

Contract Manager

Irvine, California, USA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is seeking a Contract Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for all contract and compliance activities related to his/her assigned US airline client and aircraft OEMs. This will require dealing with several complex contractual structures and solutions. Responsibilities include contract management support of the existing airline program as well as the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial contracts (sales, purchase, lease, non-disclosure, software licensing, product development, consulting, PaaS, SaaS, other business agreements and related change orders / amendments). The Contract Manager’s contributions play a key role in enabling our Company to provide millions of passengers, while inflight, the ability to watch movies and use high-speed Internet browsing, text messaging, and wireless streaming.

In addition, the Contract Manager will be responsible for working and supporting Procurement in various contract and compliance activities related to his/her assigned supplier accounts.  Responsibilities may include contract management support to procurement for existing supplier contracts, as well as the drafting, review and negotiation of supplier contracts (purchase, lease, non-disclosure, software licensing, product development, consulting, and other business agreements and related change orders / amendments).

The role of this Contract Manager may evolve with time to include other airline customers, US domestic and/or foreign, leasing companies, suppliers and other contracting parties with areas of responsibility similar to those described below.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Apply best practices in contract management in providing post-award support to Program Manager for his/her assigned customer

• In relation to the assigned Customer:  draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts (sales, purchase, lease, non-disclosure, software licensing, product development, consulting, PaaS, SaaS, other business agreements and related change orders/amendments);

• Lead the development, structure and negotiation of contractual documents with the Customer and/or the aircraft OEMs. Support the Procurement function in their negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors.

• While following the Bid process, assist with the review and response to RFPs and support the bid team, finance team, and other functions. Provide contractual risk analysis, risk mitigations and contracting strategy for new business.

• Respond and negotiate claims from and against Customer; interface with executives and Customer during claim resolution.

• Guide responsible stakeholder (ie Program Manager) in the areas of change and commitments with the Customer; draft and negotiate amendments to the Customer contract. Support the Procurement function with the same regarding subcontracts.

• Provide analysis and recommendations to executive management for complex contractual issues. Advise management of contractual rights and obligations of Thales and of the Customer analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Thales’ and Customer’s positions.

• Prepare various summaries with respect to the status of key Customer contract and other agreements

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree:  JD or equivalent foreign law degree, Masters or MBA with minimum 7 years’ proven experience drafting, negotiating, and reviewing commercial contracts with in a corporate legal and/or contracts department preferably in aerospace, engineering, technology and/or digital services;

• Strong knowledge of intellectual property matters and significant experience drafting and negotiating software licensing and development agreements, PaaS and SaaS agreements as well as reviewing technical statements of work;

• Ability to effectively present information and respond clearly and concisely to questions from groups of executives, managers, clients, customers, and cross-functional teams.

• Ability to handle direct negotiations and face counterparts in customer and partnership organizations

• Good grasp of major financial concepts

• Good mastery of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

What We Offer

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance.

• Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period. 

• Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off. 

• Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program. 

Why Join Us?

Say HI and learn more about working at Thales click here.

#LI-AG1

#LI-Hybrid

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

The reference Total Target Compensation(TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point) 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:
•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program