Head of Global Contracting

Role Summary

TheThe Head of Global Contracting will lead the evolution of Sustainability Business contracting into a scalable, digitally enabled and service-centric global function that accelerates commercial growth while appropriately managing contractual and commercial risk. The role combines operational leadership with a clear transformation mandate: simplify the contracting experience, improve cycle times, strengthen commercial alignment, and use data, automation and AI to increase quality, consistency and scale. This leader will own the global contracting operating model and partner closely with Sales, Legal, Finance, Commercial Operations and Business Leadership. The role requires a hands-on executive who can sustain day-to-day delivery while redesigning how contracting supports the business across regions, offers and deal types.

Key Impacts to Deliver

• Faster and more predictable contract cycle times, supported by transparent service levels and performance management.

• A consistent, service-oriented contracting experience for sellers, business leaders and customers across regions.

• A globally aligned operating model that improves resource allocation, capacity management and cost efficiency.

• Simplified policies, templates, negotiation playbooks and standard operating procedures that enable commercial teams to move with greater speed and confidence.

• Expanded self-service and differentiated support pathways, with clear guardrails for routine, complex and higher-risk agreements.

• Meaningful adoption of contracting technology, workflow automation, contract lifecycle management capabilities and AI-enabled tools.

• A high-performing global team with strong leadership depth, commercial judgment and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead Global Contracting Operations

• Lead, develop and scale the global contracting organization, establishing clear accountability for service, quality, responsiveness and commercial outcomes.

• Own day-to-day contracting delivery across regions, balancing capacity against business demand and go-to-market priorities.

• Implement a robust KPI and SLA framework covering cycle time, throughput, backlog, quality, stakeholder experience, self-service adoption and productivity.

• Establish operating rhythms, performance reviews and escalation pathways that improve transparency, execution discipline and timely decision-making.

• Build a flexible delivery model that combines global consistency with appropriate regional and offer-specific expertise.

Transform the Contracting Operating Model

• Define and execute the strategy and roadmap for a modern, scalable and service-centric contracting function.

• Simplify the end-to-end contract lifecycle, reducing unnecessary handoffs, rework and approval friction while preserving appropriate controls.

• Architect and maintain a unified commercial contracting framework, including policies, templates, fallback positions, negotiation playbooks, guidance and standard operating procedures.

• Design differentiated service pathways for routine, strategic, complex and higher-risk agreements, including appropriate self-service and low-touch models.

• Drive standardization across the business and create disciplined mechanisms for exceptions, escalation and continuous improvement.

Accelerate Commercial Velocity

• Partner with senior Sales and business leaders to align contracting capacity and capabilities with growth priorities, pipeline demand and go-to-market activity.

• Enable earlier contracting engagement on strategic opportunities and ensure resources are deployed where they create the greatest commercial value.

• Translate contractual and risk considerations into practical, business-friendly options that support timely customer decisions and sustainable deal outcomes.

• Use contracting insights to identify recurring sources of delay, improve negotiation positions and strengthen proposal and deal strategy.

Partner Across Functions and Govern Risk

• Serve as the central operational liaison between business leaders, Commercial Operations and Legal on contracting delivery, policy interpretation and operating-model effectiveness.

• Partner with Legal to convert complex legal requirements into clear guardrails, playbooks and decision frameworks that business teams can apply consistently.

• Collaborate with Finance, Tax, Risk, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and other subject-matter experts to support well-informed commercial decisions.

• Promote integrity, accountability and responsible risk-taking in accordance with Schneider Electric policies and the Trust Charter.

Drive Digital, Data and AI Transformation

• Lead the organizational adoption and everyday use of approved contracting technologies, workflow automation, CLM capabilities and AI-enabled tools.

• Prioritize use cases that reduce manual review, improve consistency, accelerate turnaround and strengthen data integrity.

• Establish reliable operational reporting and dashboards that support capacity planning, performance management and executive decision-making.

• Build the foundation for contract intelligence and knowledge management, enabling the business to learn from negotiated positions, obligations, commercial entitlements and renewal risks.

• Ensure technology change is accompanied by practical process redesign, user adoption, governance and measurable business outcomes.

Build Talent and Organizational Capability

• Lead a multi-tiered global organization and develop leaders capable of managing both operational performance and transformation.

• Define capabilities, roles and career paths required for the future contracting function.

• Coach the team in executive-level negotiation, commercial judgment, stakeholder management and disciplined risk assessment.

• Create a culture of inclusion, mastery, curiosity, teamwork, action and ownership.

Experience and Qualifications

Required

• 15+ years of progressive experience in commercial contracting, contract management, deal support, legal operations, commercial operations or a closely related discipline.

• At least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity, with responsibility for global or multi-region teams and complex transformation programs.

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute a service-centric global operating model while sustaining strong day-to-day delivery.

• Authoritative command of commercial contract structures, negotiation strategies, contracting policy, operational quality control and risk-based decision-making.

• Proven ability to engage and negotiate at executive level with internal leaders, customers and external partners.

• Strong track record of influencing across a global matrix and creating alignment among Sales, Legal, Finance, Operations and other specialist functions.

• Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear decisions, practical guidance and executive recommendations.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Finance, Operations or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred

• Experience in a global technology, software, SaaS, energy, sustainability, consulting, professional services or systems-integration environment.

• Proven expertise leading digital transformation of a contracting function, including CLM, workflow automation, AI-enabled review or data-driven operational reporting.

• Experience creating global policies, templates, negotiation playbooks, self-service models and KPI/SLA frameworks.

• Advanced degree in Business, Law, Management or Operations, and/or a recognized contracting credential such as WorldCC, CFCM or CCCM.

Leadership Profile

• Strategic and operational: able to set direction while staying close to execution, customers and team performance.

• Commercially pragmatic: balances speed, customer experience, business value and responsible risk management.

• Transformational: challenges complexity, redesigns systems and converts strategy into sustained adoption.

• Influential and collaborative: builds trust across functions and regions without relying solely on formal authority.

• Data-driven: uses evidence, performance insight and clear measures to focus resources and improve outcomes.

• People-centered: develops talent, creates accountability and builds an inclusive, high-performing culture.

Ready to lead contract excellence with us? Apply today!

At Schneider, we believe that every employee is a talent who deserves equal opportunities. This means you matter. Every individual needs to feel valued, supported, and treated fairly to do their best work. Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: “We see you. We value you”. It’s more than just pay and benefits- it’s a meaningful investment in you. It is designed for you to perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential to shine as an impact maker.

For this U.S. based position, the expected pay range is USD 168,800 - USD 253,200 per year. This pay range includes base pay and short-term incentives. The compensation range for this full-time position applies to candidates located within the United States. Our pay ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the pay range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

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• €40 billion global revenue

• +9% organic growth

• 150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

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