Workplace Solutions - EMEA Senior Contract Specialist - Associate/VP, Cork — Share Plan Services

The Senior Contract Specialist (EMEA) is a key contributor to growing and retaining client business by owning the end-to-end contracting process for Share Plan Service Agreements, Data Privacy Agreements, and related onboarding documentation.

This client-facing role sits at the center of contract execution—partnering closely with Sales/Client Relationship Management and Legal, and coordinating inputs across Product, Operations, Compliance, Privacy, Finance, Information Security, Implementations, and Marketing. You’ll help agreements move from first draft through negotiation, execution, and retention with pace, quality, and strong stakeholder alignment.

A core focus of the role is preparing high-quality responses to client redlines using pre-approved JPMorganChase clause language, templates, fallback language, and negotiation playbooks. You will produce clear, client-ready mark-ups and supporting rationale for internal review. You will lead the day-to-day drafting, coordination, and progress of negotiations, while Legal and relevant control functions provide final decisioning and approval on deviations from standard language. The role is built for someone who can maintain momentum across multiple workstreams, surface risks early, and drive contracts to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Leadership – Own contracting end-to-end for new and existing Share Plan Service Agreements, Data Privacy Agreements, and other onboarding documentation (intake through execution and filing).
• Stakeholder Coordination – Partner with Legal, Sales, and Client Relationship Management to align on priorities, timelines, and required inputs; keep negotiations moving through to signature.
• Redline Negotiation Support – Draft redline responses using approved clause language, templates, and playbooks; deliver clean, client-ready mark-ups for internal review and approval.
• Client Interaction – Communicate directly with clients throughout contract negotiations to clarify issues, manage expectations, and progress discussions.
• Approvals & Governance – Coordinate internal reviews and approvals with Legal and control partners (e.g., Privacy, Finance, Information Security) as required.
• Risk Review & Escalation – Identify common negotiation themes and potential risks; surface non-standard requests early and route them to the appropriate decision-makers for guidance and approval.
• Cross-Functional Problem Solving – Work with internal partners to resolve operational and contractual questions, confirm feasibility of requirements, and close open points efficiently.
• Program Management – Track negotiations in flight, provide regular status updates, and escalate blockers promptly to protect cycle time and client experience.
• Knowledge & Tooling – Maintain and enhance contract tracking and document management tools; capture contract data points and build a practical knowledge bank of approved terms and common responses.
• Continuous Improvement – Partner with Legal to update templates, negotiation guides, procedures, and training materials to improve consistency and speed.
• Controls & Documentation – Verify required processes are followed and executed documentation is properly approved and filed in line with supervisory and control procedures.
• Advisory Support – Provide guidance to Client Relationship Management on contracting processes and documentation questions.

Required Experience

• Experience – 5+ years’ experience in a contract management, legal support, or similar role within financial services and/or a legal environment.
• Ownership & Prioritization – Proven ability to manage multiple negotiations and competing deadlines with minimal oversight.
• Communication – Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging clients and senior internal stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

• Complex Contracting – Experience supporting drafting and execution of complex agreements in financial services, including producing redlines/mark-ups and coordinating cross-functional approvals in a controlled environment.
• Negotiation Guidance Drafting – Experience preparing negotiation guidance and client-facing clause responses for Legal and stakeholder review/approval.
• Legal Background – Legal qualification or comparable legal training strongly preferred; knowledge of share plans and/or employee equity plan services is a plus.
• CLM / Contract Tools – Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) or contract management platforms.
• Data Privacy – Working knowledge of GDPR and commercial data privacy provisions.
• Process Improvement – Demonstrated track record improving contracting workflows (e.g., simplifying steps, clarifying ownership, improving documentation, driving adoption with stakeholders).

Core Skills

• Execution – Strong project management and follow-through; ability to drive closure across a broad stakeholder set.
• Judgment – Sound risk awareness and decision discipline; knows when to escalate and how to present issues clearly.
• Collaboration – Team-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working across functions and controls.
• Detail & Quality – High standards for accuracy and document quality in a fast-paced environment with time-sensitive priorities.
• Tools – Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).