Overview

Stress Engineering Services, Inc. (SES) is the premier provider of engineered solutions and professional consulting services across a wide range of engineering disciplines. Since 1972, our clients have benefited from our special in-depth technical knowledge and proven performance in failure analysis, solid mechanics and structural design, reliability and predictive engineering, instrumentation and testing, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, floating systems, forensics, and material science. We maintain an excellent reputation within the industries we serve, with more than 80% of our current business from repeat clients or direct referrals.

We are seeking a Contract Specialist Paralegal in our Houston Corporate office.

Responsibilities

Thoroughly reviews contractual agreements, including but not limited to client project contracts, master service agreements, confidentiality agreements, subcontracts, and vendor contracts, using current research methods and a knowledge of company policies and the client's needs

Collaborates with a legal team consisting of lawyers, paralegals, and office staff, along with project managers, practice leaders, and officers

Updates, maintains, amend, extends / renews, and terminates existing contracts periodically or as requested per applicable terms

Facilitates the preparation, negotiation and execution of new or proposed contractual agreements

Performs comparisons of contract versions, research, and preparation for contract discussions and negotiations

Maintains records of contract activity for benchmark purposes and works to improve office efficiencies

Reviews, revises, and negotiates contract terms and conditions to ensure that the terms comply company policies

Obtains input on legal and contractual matters from management / officers, and various internal stakeholders including project team, HR, IT, safety, and quality. External input as needed, such as insurance broker.

Clearly explains contract terminology and processes to internal stakeholders and other interested parties in simple, everyday language

Drafts and presents presentations on legal department functions, contract processes, legal issues, etc. for training purposes to benefit and educate internal stakeholders

Interprets and communicates legal issues with background information and knowledge; raises questions on legal concerns for consideration with the scope of work and internal risk management guidelines for management and others

Prioritize contract reviews based on input from project team and / or management

Self-monitors progress according to the schedule for completion and deadlines to submit drafts and documents in a timely manner

Exemplifies leadership for new technology by undertaking initiatives for continued technology training and increasing utilization of new programs and features

Collaborates and innovates with IT department to develop new processes to promote legal team productivity and efficiency (PO process, new legal logs, power automate notices, follow up reminders)

Qualifications

Certificate in Paralegal Studies, Bachelor Degree in legal studies or business related major; Legal Assistant, or related field and 10 years' relevant experience.

Must have a strong understanding of legal liabilities associated with multiple practice areas and scope of work

Must be a well-rounded source of help and information on various aspects of legal issues, processes, and contracts, and effectively escalate issues to attorneys or others as needed

Requires the highest level of confidentiality of highly confidential and sensitive information related to research, innovation, personnel and legal matters pertaining to the company.

Must have high proficiency in Microsoft Office and other software relevant to the legal field; overall strong computer and database management skills

Proficient use of the English language and excellent interpersonal skills necessary to interact and maintain relationships with leadership and staff members.

Ability to manage a variety of tasks and varied workload and be able to prioritize appropriately.

Excellent analytical and comprehension skills are essential.

Must exhibit teamworking skills and have a willingness to work collaboratively to accomplish legal department team goals