Junior Contracts Manager

About Knox Knox runs the largest Federal & DoW managed cloud, building and operating secure cloud and AI environments that support the U.S. government’s most critical missions — from national security and public safety to essential public services. Our customers rely on Knox to deploy production systems that meet the highest standards for security, reliability, and compliance. Work at Knox is high-impact and purpose-driven. The problems we solve are high-stakes, the expectations are high, and the results are visible. Speed, rigor, and trust matter here - because the environments we secure cannot fail. Your contributions are visible, your expertise is relied upon, and the impact of your work is immediate and measurable. We operate at federal scale, securing some of the most sensitive government environments in the country - because the systems we build must perform without fail. We are looking for an early-career contracts professional to draft, review, negotiate and manage the agreements that keep our business moving. You will own a high volume of commercial contracts from first draft to signature and renewal, working closely with Sales, Procurement, Finance and Operations. This is a hands-on role for someone who likes precision, moves quickly, and wants to grow into a broader commercial legal career. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Drafting and review • Draft, review and redline commercial agreements, including NDAs, master services agreements, SOWs, vendor and supplier agreements, SaaS/license agreements, and amendments. • Prepare first drafts from company templates and tailor terms to each deal. • Flag non-standard or high-risk terms (indemnification, limitation of liability, IP, data privacy, termination) and escalate to senior counsel when needed. Negotiation • Negotiate contract terms directly with counterparties and their counsel within approved fallback positions. • Partner with Sales and Procurement to close deals on schedule while protecting the company's interests. Contract lifecycle management • Manage contracts from intake through execution, renewal and expiration in our contract management system. • Track key dates, obligations, renewals and termination notice windows; alert stakeholders ahead of deadlines. • Maintain an organized, searchable contract repository and accurate metadata. • Identify bottlenecks in the contracting process and recommend improvements. • Train business teams on contracting basics and how to submit requests. Compliance and support • Monitor counterparty compliance with contractual obligations and help resolve disputes. • Support legal projects such as audits, due diligence and regulatory reviews. • Stay current on legal developments that affect commercial contracts. QUALIFICATIONS Required • Either: a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing or a bachelor's degree plus 2+ years of contract administration or management experience (contract manager track). • 1–3 years of experience drafting, reviewing or negotiating commercial contracts, in-house or at a law firm. • Solid understanding of core contract concepts: indemnification, limitation of liability, warranties, IP ownership, confidentiality, and termination. • Strong written communication and meticulous attention to detail. • Ability to manage a high volume of agreements and competing deadlines. Preferred • Experience in technology companies • Familiarity with data privacy terms (DPAs, GDPR, CCPA). • Hands-on experience with a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform and e-signature tools. • Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM) or Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) certification from NCMA (contract manager track) • Clear, plain-language drafting • Practical, business-minded judgment about risk • Confident, collaborative negotiation • Strong organization and follow-through • Discretion with confidential information Compensation Range: $100k-125k, variable annual bonus, and equity Benefits & Perks Knox offers a competitive employee benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability, unlimited PTO, and an employee funded 401k plan. Please note, benefits are subject to change. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Knox is proud to support veteran hiring — we encourage veterans and transitioning service members to apply and welcome the unique skills and experience you bring. Hiring Requirement: Due to the nature of our work with federal government clients and compliance with applicable regulations, this position requires U.S. citizenship. Dual citizenship is not permitted for this role. Candidates must be able to provide documentation verifying sole U.S. citizenship status as part of the background check process. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all required pre-employment screenings, including a background check, in accordance with applicable laws and government contract requirements. Benefits & Perks Knox offers a competitive employee benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability, unlimited PEO, and an employee funded 401k plan. Please note, benefits are subject to change. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.