Contract and Vendor Management SME

Overview
World Business Lenders (WBL) is a privately held portfolio lender specializing in real estate-secured business loans for underserved businesses. WBL operates with a fully remote, multinational workforce and an experienced executive leadership team
Typically, the work schedule is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, though additional hours may be required based on business needs
About The Role
WBL is seeking a Contract and Vendor Management Subject Matter Expert to own the operational framework for contracts, outside counsel, legal vendors, and other service providers supporting Corporate Legal. This role will establish consistent contracting, engagement, performance, billing, and renewal processes while balancing legal risk, cost, service quality, and business needs
What Success Looks Like
Creates a controlled, searchable contract and vendor-management process with clear ownership and deadlines
Improves vendor and outside counsel performance while supporting responsible legal spend
Identifies contractual, operational, and service-delivery risks before they affect the business
Produces accurate reporting on contracts, renewals, performance, invoices, and open issues
What You'll Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)
Contract Lifecycle Management
Own the intake, review, negotiation, approval, execution, storage, renewal, and termination workflow for Corporate Legal contracts and engagement letters
Maintain approved templates, playbooks, approval standards, and a complete contract repository
Track key terms, obligations, notice periods, renewals, pricing changes, service levels, and termination rights
Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Operations, Information Technology, and business owners to resolve contract issues and obtain required approvals
Vendor and Outside Counsel Management
Manage relationships with outside counsel, legal vendors, and service providers, including onboarding, engagement scope, performance expectations, and issue escalation
Establish vendor performance standards, service-level expectations, review cadences, and corrective-action processes
Support competitive sourcing, due diligence, conflicts checks, and evaluation of new vendors and law firms
Drive consistency and efficiency in law firm engagement and matter-assignment processes
Billing, Spend, and Reporting
Review outside counsel and vendor invoices for alignment with engagement terms, approved scope, rates, and billing requirements
Maintain legal spend, budget, accrual, and variance reporting in partnership with Finance
Identify opportunities to consolidate vendors, renegotiate terms, improve service, and control costs
Provide concise reporting on vendor performance, contract status, upcoming renewals, spend, and risk items
Process and Risk Management
Build and document scalable contracting and vendor-management policies, procedures, controls, and quality-assurance standards
Maintain appropriate records of approvals, executed agreements, amendments, insurance, and supporting due-diligence documentation
Escalate material contractual, performance, compliance, security, or financial risks to Corporate Legal leadership
Supervise and develop the Contract and Vendor Management Associate, including workload assignment and quality review
Requirements
Education
Bachelor's degree in business, legal studies, finance, supply chain, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered
JD, MBA, paralegal credential, procurement certification, or contract-management certification is preferred but not required
Required Experience
5+ years of experience in contract management, vendor management, legal operations, procurement, or an in-house legal environment
Demonstrated experience negotiating commercial terms and administering contracts through their full lifecycle
Experience managing outside counsel or professional-service vendors and reviewing invoices, rates, budgets, or accruals
Strong project-management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders
Preferred Background / Industry Experience
Financial services, commercial lending, private lending, banking, fintech, specialty finance, mortgage lending, or another highly regulated industry
Preferred Industry Experience
Financial services, commercial lending, private lending, banking, fintech, specialty finance, mortgage lending, or another highly regulated industry
Specific Technical Skills
Contract drafting, review, negotiation, and lifecycle administration
Vendor due diligence, performance management, and service-level monitoring
Legal billing, spend analysis, budget tracking, and invoice review
Contract repositories, matter-management systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office
Key Competencies
Negotiation
Commercial judgment
Stakeholder management
Process improvement
Clear communication
Sound judgment
Remote Work Requirements
Stable, reliable internet connection
Professional and dedicated remote working setup
Ability to work effectively across a remote, multinational organization and maintain confidentiality
Benefits
What We Offer
💰 Compensation in USD.
🏖️ Benefits include paid time off (PTO).
🌍 Work Environment: Fully remote work environment.
Ready to Apply?
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you - submit your CV in English and hit Apply

Work arrangement
Yes