Contracts and Regulatory Specialist

General Definition of Work

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Contract and Regulatory Specialist to join our office of the General Counsel. This role bridges the gap between high-level contract review and management, and specialized regulatory compliance. You will serve as a critical filter for our office, performing reviews of contract terms based upon accepted template language, coordinating FMPA contract management, and, additionally, providing administrative support for NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) regulatory compliance. Work will be done with Agency staff across all areas, with important coordination with in-house and outside counsel, office manager, paralegal, and regulatory compliance staff and functions.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Contract Management & Review – serve as the first line of review for contract terms and conditions based upon accepted template language and commercial direction and contract administration in support of purchasing and acquisition for all areas of Agency business.

Contract Reviews: Perform substantive reviews of contract terms and conditions based upon accepted template language and commercial direction, including comparison to FMPA standard terms and conditions, credit applications, Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and vendor contracts.

Risk Identification: Identify deviations from template terms and conditions, coordinate commercial review matters, and flag high-risk clauses (indemnification, limitation of liability, etc.) for attorney review, as required.

Redlining: Prepare redlines and summaries of contract changes to streamline the final approval process.

Lifecycle Management: Maintain the contract database, ensuring all executed agreements are properly filed and contract milestone and expiration dates are tracked. Coordinate contract management with procurement staff, and facilitate Office review and support for procurement functions.

NERC Regulatory Compliance Support – as needed, provide critical support (non-clerical) for the regulatory compliance function of the Agency.

Documentation Management: Assist the compliance team in maintaining evidence for NERC reliability standards, coordinating meetings, and preparing agendas and supporting materials. Supports with submission of routine and unplanned data reporting and verifying accuracy in accordance with deadlines and requirements.

FMPA NERC “Playbook” Management: Organize and index "Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets" (RSAWs) and supporting evidence in accordance with FMPA’s NERC “Playbook” in preparation for internal and external audits.

Monitoring: Track compliance deadlines and coordinate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure timely completion of NERC compliance tasks and evidence retention.

NERC “Playbook” Maintenance: Assist in drafting and updating internal Playbook compliance procedures to reflect evolving regulatory requirements, coordinating with the compliance team and SMEs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Deep understanding of standard commercial legal terms and the ability to spot "deal breaker" clauses, and effectively communicate contract needs to outside parties and in-house counsel and business leaders or stakeholders.

Regulatory Familiarity: Experience with NERC, FERC, or similar heavily regulated industries (energy, utilities, finance, healthcare, etc.) is highly preferred.

Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word Redlining/Track Changes), Microsoft Sharepoint, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Teams. Experience with IBM Maximo Application Suite, an Enterprise Asset Management system, is preferred.

Education and Experience

Minimum of 5 years as a paralegal in a law firm or in-house legal department, working with attorneys on complex commercial and transactional matters or regulatory compliance issues. Bachelor’s degree and/or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program. Florida Registered Paralegal status may satisfy a portion of the experience requirements.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and frequently speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices).

Special Requirements

Valid driver's license.