Contracts Manager

Aquent is partnering with a leading financial services firm dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions through innovative financial solutions. This organization is at the forefront of evolving financial landscapes, including the exciting and rapidly expanding world of digital assets and blockchain technology. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Contracts Manager to join their team and play a pivotal role in shaping their strategic vendor relationships and ensuring operational excellence.

About the Role: Drive Strategic Sourcing in the Digital Asset Space

As a Contracts Manager, you will be instrumental in navigating the complex and innovative realm of digital assets and cryptocurrency. You will provide critical category management leadership, planning, and expertise, directly impacting how this firm engages with key vendors and partners. This is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic sourcing initiatives, negotiate critical agreements, and contribute significantly to the firm's growth and risk mitigation strategies within an evolving technological landscape. Your work will directly influence the security, efficiency, and competitive edge of cutting-edge financial services, making a tangible difference in the firm's ability to innovate and serve its clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide essential category management leadership, planning, and expertise to business partners.
• Cultivate strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders, guiding the strategic sourcing lifecycle from end-to-end.
• Collaborate with internal legal and risk functions on critical vendor engagements, ensuring compliance and mitigating potential issues.
• Lead competitive sourcing events to identify optimal vendors and alternative solutions, driving favorable pricing and terms.
• Conduct thorough review, analysis, and negotiation of strategic projects and vendor agreements.
• Gather business and technical requirements, producing necessary documentation for sourcing events (e.g., RFx).
• Develop internal presentations and business cases to secure approvals for multi-year vendor agreements.
• Prepare, review, and manage ad hoc documents requiring specialized risk and legal reviews.
• Perform economic analysis of vendor proposals and respond to internal management inquiries regarding vendor expenditures.
• Identify and document internal and external risks related to financial services, market data, digital assets, crypto infrastructure, custody, blockchain technology, and related fintech transactions.
• Support sourcing and procurement for digital asset and cryptocurrency-related vendor engagements, including custodians, blockchain infrastructure providers, wallet technology vendors, trading platforms, and compliance tools.
• Partner with Legal, Risk, Compliance, Information Security, Finance, and business stakeholders to assess vendor risk considerations specific to digital assets and crypto, covering regulatory requirements, data security, operational resiliency, and more.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies and procedures by collaborating with Finance, Legal, Risk, and other subject matter experts.
• Champion the use of industry-leading procurement services and tools to foster strong supplier and business partner relationships.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, consulting, vendor management, risk management, and/or procurement.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing, procuring, negotiating, or supporting vendor engagements involving digital assets, cryptocurrency, blockchain infrastructure, crypto custody, fintech platforms, or related technology services.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and develop category management plans that maximize value and mitigate risks while meeting stakeholder requirements.
• Consistent track record of building effective working relationships with senior business partners, internal stakeholders, and supplier counterparts.
• A self-starter mentality, capable of managing multiple projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with minimal direction.
• Strong negotiation skills coupled with a solid understanding of contract law and risk requirements.
• Expertise in sourcing policy, procedures, and processes.
• Flexibility and adaptability in handling and implementing change, with an understanding of its impact on teams, business partners, and vendors.
• Ability to lead all aspects of multiple projects and thrive in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in applying organizational change management and consulting skills/knowledge.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Strong research and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, conflict resolution, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Required proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; experience with Ariba and Tableau is a plus.

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with digital asset market structure, crypto custody models, blockchain analytics, wallet infrastructure, stablecoins, tokenized assets, and evolving regulatory expectations applicable to financial institutions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience in supply chain management, technology, fintech, digital assets, or related financial services is a plus.