Vendor Contracts Manager

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in Los Angeles, Orange County, or Century City, the Vendor Contracts Manager will be responsible for supporting Gibson Dunn’s global operations by managing the review, negotiation, and administration of vendor contracts across a wide range of service and technology categories. This position requires close coordination with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Information Security, Finance, and business owners to ensure that all vendor engagements align with the firm’s legal, commercial, and operational standards.

The ideal candidate will have strong business judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to balance efficiency with risk management in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This role reports to the Director, Procurement.

Responsibilities include:

Contract Review & Negotiation:

• Review, draft, and negotiate vendor agreements, including those for technology platforms, professional services, consulting, subscriptions, and SaaS arrangements.
• Collaborate with OGC, InfoSec, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with firm policies and minimize legal, financial, and operational risks.
• Leverage playbook language to identify and resolve issues related to legality terms, including but not limited to confidentiality, data protection, intellectual property, liability, and commercial terms.
• Maintain awareness of evolving contract review procedures and apply sound judgment when interpreting and implementing updates.

Vendor & Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Serve as the primary liaison between vendors and internal teams throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Partner with Procurement, Finance, InfoSec, IT, and business units to ensure that agreements meet operational needs and firm standards.
• Facilitate communication and approvals among internal reviewers, including OGC and other key departments, to ensure timely and coordinated contract execution.

Process Improvement & Compliance:

• Help enhance and maintain the firm’s contract management processes, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Leverage technology—particularly AI-enabled tools—to drive efficiencies, improve organization, and streamline review workflows.
• Support the implementation of best practices and contribute to ongoing procedural updates and training initiatives.

Risk Management & Reporting:

• Monitor contractual obligations, renewal timelines, and performance deliverables to ensure compliance.
• Maintain organized documentation of contracts, amendments, and approvals within the firm’s contract repository.
• Provide reporting and insights to Procurement and OGC leadership on contract trends, risk areas, and opportunities for process improvement.

Qualifications:

• Sound business judgment and practical problem-solving skills.
• Strong collaboration, interpersonal, and communication skills with a client-service mindset.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and geographies.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to work in a high-volume environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, adaptability, and learning.
• Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD, paralegal certificate, or equivalent legal experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in contract management, procurement, or vendor relations—ideally within a law firm, corporate legal department, or other professional services organization.
• Strong understanding of contract law, commercial terms, and vendor risk management principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and diplomatically.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and familiarity with AI-based contract review tools preferred.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $120-160k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.