Senior Manager, Contracts - Design & Engineering

SeaWorld is a world-renowned leader in the themed-park and entertainment industry. Our success is built on a passion for caring for animals and a dedication to delivering positive, memorable experiences to people from around the world. Were also committed to helping ambitious people achieve their professional best. We're always seeking exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable individuals to join our team.
Role Overview
United Parks & Resorts is hiring a Senior Contracts Manager for Design & Engineering will champion the entire contracting process, including leading the development of RFP (Request for Proposal) packages, negotiating terms for scopes of work focused on creative development, architectural design, construction general contracting, ride engineering and development, scenic design, production, and installation, media development, and other related items that support the company’s new attractions and themed entertainment. This role is part of the corporate project delivery team and supports the park Design and Engineering departments, with critical focus on developing scopes, driving the procurement process and schedule, resolving bottlenecks and administrative challenges, and ensuring compliance with project and company objectives. This role also serves as the key interface with Legal pertaining to contract types, terms and conditions. This role is a significant extension of project management in terms of problem resolution, stakeholder coordination, procurement deliverables tracking, and ensuring that contracts are aligned with project objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong contract and commercial expertise in themed entertainment, construction, manufacturing, or other related fields, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, lean environment.
This position reports to the Vice President, Project Delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Author comprehensive, clear scopes of work that minimize the risk of scope gaps and exposure to claims
Actively manage new supplier registration approval in accordance with Supply Chain Management process requirements
Manage the RFP (Request for Proposal) process and remove obstacles to selecting and issuing a contract to Suppliers
Leverage combined team expertise to develop conformed bid tabulations for evaluations
Assess supplier capacity, capability, and solvency risk
Participate in negotiating final contracts
Ensure contracts clearly define scope, deliverables, schedules, fees, payment terms, intellectual property rights, insurance, indemnification, warranties, termination provisions, and other key commercial terms
Manage internal legal review process for contract, advising on risk and making recommendations for final contract language and terms
Work with Project Managers to assess fair and approved price for contracting scope
Document contractual exclusions or assumptions in partnership with Project Managers and memorialize in executed contract
Advise Project Managers on project risks related to contracting, including recommended mitigations and contingencies to be incorporated into forecast
Partner with Finance and Project Teams to ensure contractual commitments and current trends align forecasts and approved project scopes
Support Project Management with status reporting, communications, and escalation of procurement-related issues requiring executive attention.
Ensure that changes in scope, schedule, or deliverables are properly approved and documented in the applicable contracts and project plans.
Ensure suppliers are paid on time by coordinating closely with Finance and Supply Chain Management to resolve invoice nonconformance issues or funding deficiencies
Develop and maintain contract templates, standards, and processes
Establish and maintain contract database, file structure, and document storage
Develop and maintain key industry relationships
Critical Skills and Abilities
Expert understanding of legal and commercial terms including understanding of various contract types and best use for a given situation
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong communication skills with the ability to deliver clear, compelling, and comprehensive arguments while aligning on common ground
Effective prioritization and time management
Ability to foster trust through transparency and reliability
Resilient and calm under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, frequent-change, resource-constrained environment
Understanding of design, fabrication, installation, construction, engineering, manufacturing or production contracts, including integration between these phases and types
Evidence of inspiring a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, preferably related to technical (engineering, architectural, construction management, project management), or business administration
Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) or Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) preferred
8+ years of professional experience in contract management
Themed entertainment, construction, museum, or hospitality experience preferred
Highly proficient with Microsoft Office including PowerPoint
SAP intermediate proficiency preferred
The perks of the position:
Paid Time Off
Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
Park Discounts on Food and Merchandise
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
401K Retirement plan
Voluntary Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Employee Assistance Program
Legal Assistance Plan
EEO Employer:
SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.

Skills
Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, SAP, Intellectual Property