Contracts Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

About NEEA

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 140 electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of Northwest energy consumers to increase the adoption of energy-efficient products services and practices.

Since 1997, the region has achieved the equivalent to enough energy to power more than 700,000 Northwest homes each year.

The alliance is powered by harnessing the energy, brainpower, and innovative thinking of motivated professionals like you.

NEEA places a high value on diversity, and welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, identities and fields of expertise, with or without previous experience in the energy industry.

Are you talented, committed, and motivated? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to apply to help us create a vibrant future for all Northwest communities.

Follow this link to our website and learn more about the organization.

Position Summary

The Contracts Attorney will work directly with NEEA’s Corporate Counsel, Contracts / Legal Team, outside parties, and NEEA’s internal contract managers to support the dynamic, demanding, diverse, and high-volume contracting needs of NEEA’s internal stakeholders, cross-functional teams, and external partners.

This person will take a detail-oriented approach to supporting a wide range of contracting processes and other needs with varying degrees of complexity in a fast-paced contracting environment using good judgment and strong legal and business sense.

• Using strong problem-solving, communication skills, and organizational skills, this person will support the work of NEEA’s Corporate Counsel, Contracts / Legal Team, and NEEA by providing best-in-class legal skills and customer service;
• ensuring successful and timely preparation, negotiation, and administration of contracts and related activities; monitoring ongoing contract requirements, advising NEEA’s internal contract managers on processes and resolving legal issues;

and able to multi-task and prioritize high-volume, fast-paced and dynamic workload appropriately with a dedicated and hardworking core Team.

The incumbent will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing practices, strategies and policies that achieve equitable outcomes for all.

Salary range : $100,000 - $120,000, exempt

Salary is based on the applicants Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Could This Be Your Dream Job?

Are you interested in working for a mission-driven organization where employees really do believe in the mission and help each other to achieve it?

Would you enjoy working with contracts and internal and external stakeholders, and being an integral part of a small, dedicated, high-performing and fast-paced Contracts / Legal Team?

Do you like multi-tasking and working with a team to ensure its processes and goals are met? Does helping drive the organization’s results by assisting program staff to understand and manage their contracting needs interest you?

Are you a team-player that proactively helps the Team with what needs to be done for the collective good as needed? Do you have a passion for legal issues, processes, and contracts?

If you answered yes to these questions, please read on to learn more.

The Typical Day May Include

• Working with Corporate Counsel, identifying legal issues, mitigating business risks, and drafting appropriate legal documents and contract terms in a wide range of contract forms and types that may include : RFPs, SOWs, funding agreements, purchase orders, NDAs, service agreements, licensing agreements, data sharing agreements, incentive agreements, releases, etc.
• Assist with managing and directing NEEA’s RFP processes, practices, and needs with internal and external stakeholders as the chief Legal / Contracts Team point of contact.
• Leading contract and other negotiations with vendors and partners in support of NEEA under the guidance of and collaboration with Corporate Counsel.
• Communicating and coordinating with Contracts / Legal Team, contract managers, and other internal and external stakeholders and parties to ensure contract documents are complete and accurate and legal templates and forms reflect best practices.
• Documenting actions taken, important information related to contracts, and archiving for future reference and tracking.
• Calculating and documenting changes to contract budgets within the contract documents and financial tracking systems.
• Processing contracts for internal approvals and signatures as a Team member to support contracts workflow as needed.
• Identifying and proactively resolving contract and process related issues to maximize efficiency and service.
• Collaborating on and supporting various Contracts / Legal Team projects within the Team and NEEA.
• Managing and tracking deadlines, prioritizing work, and working efficiently and effectively with good judgment and good business sense.

What Are You Good At?

You are a proactive self-starter who manages multiple priorities with flexibility and a can-do mindset regardless of complexity.

You recognize, adapt to, and meet new challenges using good judgment, tact, and professionalism. You are excited about working on the Contracts / Legal Team to achieve its goals and have a passion for NEEA’s mission and legal work.

You enjoy working with staff at all levels within the organization and are motivated and dedicated to working with cross-functional teams to create a positive employee experience for all staff with a positive attitude and mindset.

You are dependable, dedicated, hardworking and able to remain customer-service focused and a good Team member in a dynamic environment within a complex organization.

You Likely Have the Following Experience :

• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a complex and diverse working environment.
• Strong work ethic and drive to get things finished in an accurate and timely manner.
• Demonstrated customer service skills and ability to work cross-functionally with many internal and external stakeholders in a proactive manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a Team.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, while remaining flexible, professional, and enthusiastic about supporting the Contracts / Legal Team.
• Strong legal skills, including excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to solve problems creatively and think critically.
• Possesses exceptional verbal communication and active listening skills. Ability to vary communication style based on audience.
• Can-do attitude with ability to understand how to prioritize and plan work activities while remaining flexible, adaptable, and enthusiastic with good business sense.
• Ability to collect and synthesize data to support decision making. Ability to spot and communicate patterns, trends, and inaccuracies.
• Energized and motivated by non-profit legal work and NEEA’s energy efficiency mission.

Your Education and Skills :

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred (e.g., pre-law, business).
• Law degree required, with a minimum of 1-3 years’ related experience in contracts, transactional work, and / or corporate law desired.

Member of the Oregon State Bar required or ability to become licensed via reciprocity or other permissible method in a timely manner post-hire.

• Demonstrated proficiency in contract negotiation, facilitation, and related communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in contract drafting, understanding of contract terms, conditions, and legal effect, and contract review.
• Strong verbal and written communication and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated skills in effective teaming on a legal or other organizational team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required. Proficiency in SharePoint, Salesforce, NetSuite and / or Adaptive a plus.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job functions will also be considered.

Highlights of NEEA’s Benefits :

• 90% of medical / dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents
• Employer funded Health Savings Account
• 136 hours of PTO / year
• Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work location and 9 / 80 schedule options
• Professional development opportunities

NEEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This position is based in the Portland, OR metro area, with a hybrid work location. We are looking for candidates who can meet the requirement of working at least 2 days per week onsite at NEEA’s office location.

Finalists must have eligibility to work in the US as NEEA is not able to provide VISA sponsorship or have remote work outside of the US.