About Edge
Edge serves as a member-owned, nonprofit provider of high-performance optical fiber networking and internetworking, Internet2, and a vast array of best-in-class technology solutions for cybersecurity, educational technologies, cloud computing, and professional managed services. Edge provides these solutions to colleges and universities, K-12 school districts, government entities, hospital networks and nonprofit business entities as part of a membership-based consortium. Edge’s membership spans New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia.
Edge’s common good mission ensures success by empowering members to achieve digital transformation with affordable, reliable and thought-leading purpose-built, advanced connectivity, technologies and services.
Edge Mission
Edge is dedicated to providing the individuals and organizations we serve with the access, expertise and organizational capacity necessary to achieve their strategic goals and objectives with our technology products and services offerings.
Edge Vision
Inspiring personal, professional, organizational and social growth and development with technology transformation in the digital era.
Position Summary
New Jersey’s Research and Education Network (Edge) provides technology solutions and services, as well as serves as a cooperative procurement system. As a result, numerous contracts and agreements are made with competing vendors, strategic partners, alliances, and affiliated organizations. Contract management and administration represents a vital role within the organization as Edge’s performance duties must be organized, communicated, reviewed, and evaluated routinely to ensure compliance, integrity, and business rigor in our operations. The Paralegal for Contract Administration and Management will organize, maintain, evaluate, administer, and advise and work with executive management and outside legal counsel on any and all issues, concerns, or qualitative improvement needs with regard to all binding contracts and agreements made by or on behalf of the Edge corporation. This position reports to the Director for Human Resources and Administration.
Job Focus
Our Paralegal will assist in the preparation and execution of standard master service agreements, statements of work, requests for proposals and awards, and other standard contracts between vendors and service contractors. The position focus is on maintenance of contracts, contract renewals, establishment of new service engagements, and required legal notifications and filings on behalf of the corporation. In addition, the Paralegal will serve as recorder and secretary of minutes for the corporation’s quarterly Board of Trustees meetings. This role is currently remote and works virtually with an expectation to attend some face-to-face meetings in New Jersey at some point in the future.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as custodian of all pending and executed contracts, policies, and other legal documents.
- Manage version control, finalization, execution, and storage of all assigned contracts.
- Prepare, organize, and maintain legal files and databases of strategic agreements, corporate records, and other legal communications. • Review existing agreements and summarize rights and obligations.
- Review incoming documents/agreements and identify exceptions to approved contract templates.
- Maintain standard document templates (e.g., Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements, Conflict of Interest statements, and Consulting Agreements) and route changes for approval by outside counsel.
- Participate in renewals of annual sales agreements and channel partner agreements.
- Keep abreast of legislative changes that may affect the corporation and provide factual and legal research on key issues.
- Manage various legal projects and deadlines as liaison to internal departments.
- Manage/facilitate the end-to-end contracting process not limited to: contract design, drafting, contract approval process, submission of contract drafts to internal stakeholders for review, managing the redline process with customers and approved contract execution.
- File annual reports and maintain corporate, intellectual property, and other state and federal filings such as New Jersey Business Registration, Sales Tax-Exempt Forms, Certificates of Employee Information Reports, and IRS Form 990s and W-9.
- Provide updates regarding EdgeMarket participating institutions to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
- Maintain records of Trustees’ terms and renewals, as well as draft related resolutions.
- Respond to member requests for procurement compliance documentation.
- Evaluate contract requests and provide support in the development and implementation of new contracting strategies and procedures.
- Juggle and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
- Maintain deadlines on deliverables and communicate on an ongoing basis with business partners and internal clients.
- Assist in the development and implementation of company policies and procedures.
- Communicate company contract policies and requirements to internal managers and employees and address areas of concern in regard to project management and contracting.
- Professionally and effectively communicate with all levels of staff within the organization and with external clients.
- Perform other general legal and administrative responsibilities as requested. • Participates/contributes to special projects, as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Expert working knowledge of all facets of applicable state and federal laws and regulations, policies, ordinances, and rules governing the administration of contracts.
- Strong understanding of best contracting practices and the ability to monitor new developments in contracting practices and processes. • Demonstrate professional ethics and discretion, and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
- Demonstrate a respectful attitude toward all external stakeholders and coworkers to promote teamwork, open communication, and excellent customer experience.
- Respond to contract-related and other requests promptly, and provide effective services or solutions for internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Demonstrate attention to detail; refined ability to spot errors and inconsistencies.
- Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize workload.
- Ability to work in a fast paced, cross-functional team atmosphere.
- Ability to devise new approaches, methods and systems in response to a quickly growing industry.
- Demonstrate leadership, problem solving and decision-making.
- Analytical thinking, communication/teamwork, planning and organizing.
- Identify process improvement opportunities.
- Partner with external counsel and internal business teams at all levels and across multiple functions to effectively identify and remedy contractual process issues.
- Work with external general counsel to advise business partners on potential legal risks while providing creative solutions to support business goals.
- Work closely with Direct Sales, Channel, and Finance teams to timely meet demands of internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications Required
- A minimum experience of 2+ years in a corporate paralegal role.
- Computer and technical knowledge as well as strong analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication and time management skills.
- Excellent writing and proofreading abilities.
- Must be detail-oriented, highly organized, and proactive.
- Ability to handle multiple assignments and deadlines with accuracy.
- Ability to multi-task and handle tasks in a calm, professional, and thorough manner.
- Maintain confidentiality and use the utmost discretion when privy to sensitive information.
- Strong communicative modes (verbal, non-verbal, and written) and be attuned to others through active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively and professionally communicate in person, via telephone and in writing.
- Ability to remain flexible to departmental and company needs.
- Must have U.S. work authorization.
Qualifications Preferred
- Working knowledge of legal database software.
- Transactional experience preferred, especially if related to higher education or government.
- Experience in preparing legal reports.
- Ability to work as business needs require.
Education and Experience
- 4-year college degree from a regionally accredited institution required.
- Certification or degree in Paralegal Studies from an ABA approved program.
Compensation and Benefits
$70,000 annual salary to be paid bi-weekly, paid time off (PTO) as determined by the company policy, ten (10) paid holidays per year, medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, as well as matching contribution under a retirement plan.
