Director of Contracts Administration

Job Type: Staff Job Description: The Director, Contracts Administration leads KCU's contract lifecycle and contract operations, ensuring agreements move efficiently from intake through execution, renewal, and closeout. This is a hands-on role that builds a scalable, technology-enabled contracts administration program (process, governance, and tools) to improve speed, consistency, insight, and risk management across the University. The Director oversees drafting, review, negotiation, approvals, and execution, partnering with departments on contract structure, key risks, and practical implications. KCU's portfolio includes construction and facilities agreements, clinical education and rotation agreements, leased employee arrangements, and other external collaborations. Success in this role requires strong negotiation skills, meticulous attention to detail, sound business judgment, and a mindset for systems, automation, and continuous improvement. The Director will report to the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Essential Duties Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle (intake, review, negotiation, approvals, execution, renewals, and closeout) and keep work moving on schedule Advise stakeholders on contract structure, risk allocation, and business implications; identify issues early and drive practical resolutions Build and continuously improve a modern contracts administration program, including standardized templates/playbooks, intake workflows, and clear governance Leverage platforms, automation, and AI-enabled tools (as appropriate) to improve cycle time, quality, scalability, and visibility Create basic reporting and metrics (e.g., volume, cycle time, expirations/renewals, risk/compliance themes) to support decision-making Maintain accurate records for status, obligations, expirations, and renewals; provide clear updates to internal stakeholders Negotiate and review complex agreements (including construction, facilities, clinical, and other mission-critical contracts); coordinate with outside counsel when needed Partner with Legal Affairs, Compliance, Finance, and business owners to align contracts with policy, reduce risk, and support operations QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree required. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law. Annual Security Report KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU! Kansas City University, founded in 1916, is a fully accredited, private not-for-profit health sciences university, and the fifth-oldest osteopathic medical school in the nation. KCU's Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Biosciences and Dental Medicine offer graduate degree programs in osteopathic medicine, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences and dental medicine, as well as multiple dual-degree opportunities. To learn more about KCU, our colleges and academic programs, visit kansascity.edu. Are you interested in learning more about opportunities at KCU but don't see a specific position that fits your experience and skills at this time? Please introduce yourself to us by sharing your CV/resume and we will be in contact with you as future opportunities that match your qualifications become available.