Legal Assistant - Contracts

JOB SUMMARY

The Legal Assistant - Contracts will play a critical role in supporting the Legal Department by drafting, reviewing, and managing a wide range of contracts that support our retail operations. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams—including Merchandising, Procurement, IT, Marketing, Real Estate, and Finance—to ensure business needs are met while protecting the company’s legal and financial interests. The Contracts Specialist will serve as a key resource for contract negotiations, risk assessment, and contract lifecycle management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

•  Contract Drafting & Review

  • Draft, review, and edit a variety of contracts, including vendor agreements, supply chain contracts, marketing agreements, SaaS/technology licenses, leases, and service agreements.

  • Ensure contracts align with company policies, mitigate legal risks, and reflect negotiated business terms.

• Negotiation Support

  • Partner with business stakeholders to support contract negotiations with vendors and service providers.

  • Escalate complex legal issues to attorneys as appropriate.

  • Develop and maintain fallback language and negotiation playbooks to streamline contracting.

• Risk Management & Compliance

  • Identify and flag contractual risks related to indemnification, liability, termination rights, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.

  • Ensure adherence to corporate contracting policies and internal approval processes.

  • Provide guidance to business partners on standard contract terms and risk implications.

• Contract Lifecycle Management

  • Manage contract workflows, including intake, approvals, signatures, renewals, and expirations.

  • Maintain and update contract templates and process documentation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Serve as a liaison between the Legal Department and business teams to align contract terms with operational needs.

  • Translate legal concepts into clear, business-friendly guidance.

  • Deliver training and education on contracting processes and policies.

   

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal certificate preferred.

• 3–5 years contracts experience, ideally within a corporate legal, procurement, or retail environment.
• Strong knowledge of contract law principles and risk management best practices.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to a fast-paced retail environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools a plus.