Manager of Contracts & Administration

FUSE is seeking a Manager of Contracts & Administration on its Strategic Partnerships Team to support the processes and instruments involved with the organization’s engagements with city and county governments. With a passion for administrative excellence, the Manager will support the overall work of the Partnerships function, focusing particularly on contract accuracy and systems performance.

LOCATION: FUSE is a fully virtual organization and this position can be based remotely from anywhere in the United States.

ANNUAL SALARY: This position offers a non-negotiable annual salary of $90,000 and robust benefits. More details can be provided upon request.

ABOUT FUSE

FUSE is a national nonprofit that partners with local governments to address pressing challenges with equitable solutions. We place experienced professionals within city and county agencies to lead strategic projects that are designed to narrow racial disparities, accelerate systems change, and increase government effectiveness. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

This work is financially supported primarily through fee-for-service contracts with our government partners. Additional support is provided by local funders and national philanthropic investments from groups such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, Ballmer Group, Waverley Street Foundation, and others.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, the Manager will help ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of FUSE’s Strategic Partnerships team. This team builds connections with local government leaders, designs executive-level fellowship projects, secures contracts with governments, and manages long-term relationships with local and national partners. The Manager will support each Partnerships Director, guide the Associate’s administrative tasks, and lead special projects aimed at enhancing both the department and the organization-at-large.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, with a strong background in project management, contracts administration, and systems management with a passion for operational excellence and process improvement. This individual will collaborate closely with four Directors of Strategic Partnerships, who are each responsible for overseeing government relationships across a specified region of the country.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Operational Process Improvement
   • Map and document business processes and work closely with the VP to identify areas for improvement and implement efficient workflows. Enhance systems and data management resources and guide the Associate’s administrative work.
   • Leverage technology to streamline operations and improve decision-making. Ensure operational systems support the strategic needs of the department and align with organizational goals.
2. Contract Management
   • Oversee the entire contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiating, reviewing, amending, and managing contracts with city and county governments. Simultaneously manage 50 to 100 contracts with communities nationwide, ensuring all contracts meet FUSE’s programmatic, financial, and legal requirements.
   • Engage directly with partners on behalf of the Directors of Strategic Partnerships to ensure timely and high-quality contract execution and compliance with FUSE’s processes.
3. Vendor and Writer Management
   • Oversee relationships with vendors supporting the Strategic Partnerships team, including independent writers developing project descriptions based on interviews with local partners. Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and performance against scopes of work.
4. Salesforce Management
   • Help oversee the vision and buildout of Salesforce systems to support strategic goals and ensure the platform provides useful data for the VP and Directors. Regularly generate reports related to pipeline status, operational efficiency, and key performance metrics.
5. Market Research
   • Establish a market research strategy to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges that inform FUSE’s partnership development efforts. Set up and maintain access to relevant data sets and analytical tools, ensuring timely availability for decision-making and project development.
   • Coordinate with the Partnerships team to ensure data-driven insights are consistently integrated into government relationships and project scoping, supporting proactive and informed partner engagement.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Integration
   • Manage the integration of processes across different teams to ensure smooth collaboration. Facilitate effective communication within the department and across the organization to promote alignment, clarity, and collaboration.
   • Collaborate with the VP and Directors to ensure that all processes are consistently aligned with organizational goals and support seamless workflow execution.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Mission Connection: A passion for increasing the effectiveness of local governments to build more equitable communities, with a personal connection to FUSE’s work to narrow racial disparities, improve public services, and accelerate systems change.
• Professional Experience: Strong experience in project and systems management, with contract administration and process improvement experience being a plus. PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials are desirable.
• Process Improvement: Demonstrated experience in mapping and improving business processes and workflows to drive operational efficiency.
• Contract Management: Proficiency in managing end-to-end contract lifecycles, including drafting, negotiating, and tracking contracts, with experience managing large volumes of contracts.
• Organizational Skills : Strong organizational abilities with meticulous attention to detail, capable of managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Salesforce and other relevant software systems. Experience mapping out Salesforce strategies to support organizational goals is a plus.
• Problem Solving: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex situations and develop effective solutions.
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to cultivate and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Change Management: Experience leading or supporting change management initiatives, ensuring the successful adoption of new processes within an organization.

TO APPLY

Please submit an application and cover letter at (insert hyperlink) by clicking on the associated job description. The cover letter should explain your motivation to join FUSE and how you anticipate leveraging your experience in this role.

FUSE Corps is an equal opportunity employer with a core value of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work at every level. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.