Group Overview
Morningstar's Business Development & Sales group is responsible for helping our advisor and institutional clients build their businesses and provide better outcomes for investors. The group is structured primarily along the following client segments: Advisor, Asset Management, Retirement, Redistributor, and Commodities & Energy.
The Role
The Morningstar Global Field Operations Team seeks a highly motivated Contracts Team Lead. This role is responsible for overseeing the team's work to ensure timely delivery of contracts that meet product needs and minimize risks for Morningstar and our clients. The Contracts Team Lead will also draft, review, negotiate, and finalize commercial contracts or amendments, working closely with Sales, Product, and Legal teams to develop contracts, negotiation strategies, evaluate risks, and ensure compliance with internal policies.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide team leadership: Manage a team of 3 to 4 direct reports.
- Manage contract pipeline: Prioritize work across Contracts and Legal teams for timely delivery.
- Support contract processes: Train and support the contract process within the team and sales teams.
- Identify legal issues: Work with legal to develop positions on emerging issues.
- Manage contracts: Oversee contracts for new, renewal, and amendments.
- Review and approve contracts: Ensure contracts prepared by sales are reviewed before submission.
- Provide guidance: Advise teams on contract terms and risk escalation.
- Negotiate contracts: Negotiate with clients, escalating non-standard terms.
- Cross-functional support: Support ongoing projects with various teams to improve the contracting process.
Knowledge and Skills
- Management or team lead experience
- Knowledge of contracting concepts, interpretation, disputes
- Experience negotiating NDAs, evaluation agreements, subcontracts, software licenses
- Ability to work under deadlines and manage demands
- Experience in project implementation and process improvements
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree + 4+ years in contracts management
- Strong negotiation skills and a successful track record
- Experience influencing internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Effective time management and prioritization
Morningstar is an equal opportunity employer. Our hybrid work environment combines remote work with in-person collaboration at least three days a week, supported by tools and resources for global engagement.