Principal Contracts Analyst

About the role

Harvard University’s Strategic Procurement Department is a central administrative function that serves all Harvard schools, institutes, and administrative units. Our mission is to create value for Harvard by optimizing the procurement of goods and services while upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and supplier partnership.

The Principal Contracts Analyst will be responsible for management, review, and negotiation of legal contracts in support of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and its departments. Collaborates with local and central professional staff supporting contract negotiation and management processes.

Responsibilities

• Clearly communicates legal contract requirements and relevant market dynamics to FAS department unit leaders, ensuring category strategies are fully aligned with institutional objectives.
• Provides oversight and governance of third‑party contracts within assigned categories, serving as the principal point of contact for contract structure, terms, and risk mitigation.
• Leads and supports change management initiatives necessary to successfully execute sourcing and contracting activities, promoting adoption of improved processes and practices across FAS.
• Serves as a key FAS representative in the design, development, and implementation of Strategic Procurement strategies, policies, processes, and enabling technologies.
• Acts as a principal contributor to advancing best practices in FAS and central procurement, driving standardization and efficiencies that help FAS stakeholders achieve their goals and objectives.
• Collaborates closely with FAS leadership, Harvard’s Office of General Counsel, Risk Management & Audit Services, and other University partners to ensure FAS supplier contracts and relationships meet required legal, regulatory, and risk standards.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required, minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience or 7 years with JD degree.

Additional Qualifications and Skills: JD degree and membership in Massachusetts Bar Association preferred. Proven experience managing cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed environment. Excellent organizational, analytical, and time management skills. Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills with strong influencing and persuasive talents.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Pay

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule; 1–2 days onsite per week on average, with additional on-site presence as needed. Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week