Contract Consultant | Power Generation

About the Role

A Contract Consultant on the Power Generation Team plays a key role in ensuring that APS’s Generation Business Unit operates with strong vendor partnerships, optimized contract outcomes, and a firm handle on risk and performance metrics. This position supports all phases of the contract lifecycle—from implementation and negotiation to compliance tracking and performance evaluation. You’ll lead cross-functional efforts that align contract strategy with operational needs, while identifying opportunities for efficiency, cost savings, and improved vendor performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement vendor contracts that align with operational goals, regulatory requirements, and enterprise standards.
• Lead contract negotiations and amendments with vendors to support changing business requirements and optimize value.
• Monitor contract compliance by vendors and internal teams, identifying deviations and resolving issues before they impact operations.
• Leverage data analytics to create dashboards and reports that provide transparency into contract spend, timelines, and KPIs; evaluate contract performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions or process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to contract governance, lifecycle management, and vendor relationship optimization.
• Manage a consolidated portfolio of ~$100M annually in long-term service and material agreements; conduct contract negotiations and monitor financial impacts, vendor performance, and compliance.
• Formulate and define business needs, scope modifications, and objectives through research and fact-finding.
• Develop, maintain, or modify key performance indicators related to vendor performance, including performance guarantees, liquidated damages, and financial incentives or rebates.
• Define and develop a vendor strategy roadmap for future needs over a 10-year period; perform benchmarking and develop business cases using cost-benefit analysis.
• Provide input and gather functional requirements, policy/procedure interpretation, and future business needs related to managing existing contracts or developing new ones for materials and services.
• Coordinate assigned phases of project planning and execution for small projects, including estimating resources and tasks, and creating, managing, and controlling project schedules and resources.
• Define and document business processes by establishing project scope and objectives through research, benchmarking, and analysis.
• Lead and support the development, planning, analysis, and implementation of business initiatives related to contracts and vendor management.
• Design and implement contract strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness through vendor partnerships.
• Manage projects of moderate-to-complex scope and budget to support contract management within Generation.
• Drive contract process improvements and system enhancements based on business requirements; evaluate and enhance workflows using data-driven analysis.
• Recommend and implement process improvement initiatives, including technology solutions to streamline operations, automate tasks, and increase efficiency.
• Identify opportunities and resolve routine to complex contract-related operational issues by collaborating with Supply Chain, Operations Support, Operations, and vendors.
• Provide operational support including gap analysis, training, and data integrity audits.
• Develop and maintain standardized reports and statistical summaries to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
• Write, maintain, and support a variety of reports or queries utilizing appropriate reporting tools.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure compliance with access and data security protocols.
• Mentor junior staff and share knowledge of the business/technical environment, priorities, and processes.
• Conduct research, analyze data, and present findings to stakeholders.
• Lead or support project assignments, including needs analysis, scope definition, and ongoing maintenance of contract implementation.
• Maintain documentation of processes, guidelines, tools, procedures, and training materials required to support the business unit.
• May assist in the planning, development, and administration of Generation's budget functions.

Requirements

• A four-year Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, law, or other job-related field from an accredited college or university.
• Eight (8) years of progressive experience in contract management, business operations, or other job-related areas.
• In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a combination of college coursework and/or experience in contract management, business operations, or other job-related area equaling 12 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundamental understanding of contracts, contract negotiation, business operations, process improvement, and business unit systems utilized within the organization.
• Experience with systems specific to the business area.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities, gaps, data analysis, and recommended solutions which tie functional needs to contract solutions.
• Demonstrated project/team experience and ability to prioritize work.
• Strong analytical, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; ability to review data, see relationships, and patterns.
• Experience in managing contract projects and identifying and resolving issues.
• Expertise in PC applications including advanced skill level in Microsoft 365 tools: Teams, PowerBI, Power Apps, Copilot, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Knowledge of emerging practices and technologies used within the business area.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and standards impacting business areas.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Contract management professionals with experience in energy, utilities, industrial operations, or similarly complex, regulated environments.
• Strategic thinkers who bring a solutions-oriented mindset to contracts, compliance, and vendor engagement.
• Individuals who thrive on digging into contract language, data sets, and performance metrics to uncover value and mitigate risk.
• Collaborators who can navigate cross-functional relationships, bridging legal, operational, and financial perspectives with confidence.
• Professionals with strong attention to detail and organizational discipline, who can manage multiple contracts and deadlines without losing focus.

Schedule

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). Hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location. Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees). Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic setup. Role types are subject to change based on business need.

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under U.S. Export Control Laws. Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident, a Political Asylee, or a Refugee. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS), all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.