Easy Apply
Easy Apply
The Contracts Manager oversees contract processing, administration, and lifecycle management, collaborates across teams, negotiates agreements, and develops training and reporting systems.
About Us
Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world.
It is Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve.
Led by Tassos Giannakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D. and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020.
We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients.
At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families, we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic—leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn, we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.
These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.
Position Title: Contracts Manager
Department: Legal
Reports To: Vice President, Corporate Law
Location: South San Francisco, CA – On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs)
Job Overview
Kardigan is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee all aspects of contract processing and administration. In this role, the Contracts Manager will manage the complete contract lifecycle and lead the implementation and administration of contract management systems. Kardigan seeks an exceptional candidate with strong contract administration experience who can collaborate cross-functionally, negotiate agreements, and communicate clearly and effectively. Attention to detail is essential in this role. You will join our fast-paced legal team, reporting to our Vice President, Corporate Law. This is a highly visible position within Kardigan as you will interface directly with business stakeholders across the company.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Contract Lifecycle Management
- Process all contract requests through the company's internal process from initial request intake to execution and track the status of contracts in process.
- Lead the evaluation and implementation of a contract lifecycle management (CLM) tool and serve as the primary administrator for the system (e.g., maintain users, update user roles and workflows).
- Prepare, review and negotiate a range of contracts, including CDAs, Consulting Agreements, MSAs, and other commercial agreements.
- Track key contractual obligations and deadlines.
- Maintain a library of form agreements and contracts repository.
Contract Operations & Reporting
- Lead weekly interdepartmental contracts update meetings with business stakeholders and contract negotiators.
- Develop and prepare contract management key performance metrics and generate periodic reports.
- Coordinate and manage signature routing for contracts.
- Develop and manage contract-related processes, guidelines and SOPs.
Business Partnership & Training
- Serve as the primary liaison for internal partners on contract processes and operations.
- Interface with teams across the company to gauge and anticipate contracting needs and provide guidance.
- Develop and maintain training programs for contract processes and CLM system usage.
- Develop communication plans to provide contract process updates and performance metrics to internal partners.
General
- Support special projects and contract-related initiatives.
- Perform other duties as directed by the manager.
Qualifications and Preferred Skills
Required
- Bachelor's degree.
- At least 7 years of relevant experience with a minimum of 5 years of contract administration experience.
- Meticulous attention to detail.
- Excellent problem-solving capabilities.
- Strong organizational and planning skills, ability to manage changing priorities and workflow, and the ability to effectively advance multiple simultaneous projects.
- Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals at all levels inside and outside of the organization.
- Ability to identify risks and communicate those risks to appropriate legal or other internal decision-makers.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, rapidly growing workplace, with a keen interest in providing a consistently high level of service.
- Able to work independently while exercising initiative and good judgment.
- Experience working with contract lifecycle management systems, e-signature platforms, and collaboration platforms.
- Contract negotiations experience with a solid knowledge of commercial contract terms and best practices.
Preferred
- Paralegal Certification
- Previous CLM implementation and administration experience
- Experience in the life sciences/biotech/pharma sector
- IP administration experience
- Experience managing IP docketing system implementation and on-going administration
- Hand on experience with patent prosecution support
- Proficiency with patent related filings and correspondence with patent offices
- Familiarity with patent office systems (e.g. PAIR)
Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.
Pay range
$146,000—$190,000 USD
Top Skills
Collaboration Platforms
Contract Lifecycle Management Systems
E-Signature Platforms
Kardigan South San Francisco, California, USA Office
South San Francisco, California , United States
Similar Jobs
.png)
Artificial Intelligence • Other • Security • Software • Analytics • Big Data Analytics
The Contracts Manager supports contract management by preparing agreements, negotiating terms, managing databases, and collaborating with legal counsel while ensuring compliance.
Top Skills:
ClmsDocusignMs Office SuiteSalesforce
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
As a Contracts Manager, you will manage the contract lifecycle for DoD, International, and Commercial contracts, ensuring compliance and minimizing risk. You'll negotiate terms, collaborate with legal and proposal teams, and provide guidance on regulations while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.
Top Skills:
DfarsFar
Aerospace • Industrial
The Manager, Contracts oversees contract management for various program types, collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams, and ensures compliance while resolving contractual issues.
Top Skills:
Contract ManagementProposal Management
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
