Contract Advisor

Are you a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with a passion for contracts and procurement? The City of Edmonton's Parks and Roads Services branch is seeking a dedicated Contract Advisor to join our Business Integration section. In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring the long-term success of our services by providing expert guidance and support in the documentation, execution, and monitoring of contracts. If you are committed to continuous improvement and thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply and contribute to serving our citizens with excellence.

As a Contract Advisor, you will be instrumental in the full lifecycle of contracts within the Parks and Roads Services branch. This includes collaborating with business units to define their needs, developing technical scopes and specifications, and guiding them through procurement processes. You will be responsible for the ongoing management of contracts, conducting analysis, monitoring performance, and reporting. A key aspect of this role involves researching and evaluating best business practices to identify opportunities for implementation and championing continuous improvement within the branch. You will work closely with various stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure contractual compliance and operational efficiency.

What will you do?

• Work with business area stakeholders to understand scope of work and contract requirements, providing expert recommendations.
• Liaise and collaborate with Corporate Services (CPSS, Law, Risk Management, etc.)
• Prepare specifications and draft contracts and clauses.
• Draft the content of procurement documents for market/posting.
• Create KPIs and performance expectations for contracts.
• Assist in identifying and reporting of contract budgets.
• Implement operational efficiencies and financial savings into contracts.
• Lead evaluation committees on procurement evaluations, negotiations, and debriefs.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a central resource for contract activities, documentation, and inquiries, providing regular support to business units.
• Monitor and support operational contract managers' compliance with contract documentation.
• Be the first point of contact for business areas regarding contract performance issues, determining actions needed and engaging relevant CPSS teams.
• Respond to and resolve contract inquiries and assist with contract interpretation.
• Review contract clauses for enforcement, when necessary.
• In collaboration with the Supervisor, manage contract changes including reviewing and preparing packages for approval and processing.
• Assist to resolve payment issues where contracts require changes.
• In collaboration with CPSS, assist with contract closeout activities to ensure compliance.
• Build, implement, and maintain consistent processes across the Branch, supporting continuous improvement and innovation.
• Conduct market research, online searches, and environmental scanning to identify emerging trends, technology, and best practices.
• Collaborate with other municipalities for environmental scanning, research, and information sharing.
• Provide support to the Supervisor in delivering the mandate of the Branch as required.
• Coordinate and/or lead assigned projects and initiatives within the section.
• Represent the section by participating on internal and external working groups and committees.
• Develop and generate reports to facilitate and support contract budgeting and monitor expenses.
• Conduct analysis on contract information and statistics.
• Other duties as required.
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• University Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related discipline with a minimum of four (4) years of directly related work experience, preferably in a large, public sector organization. OR
• Diploma with a minimum of six (6) years of directly related work experience, preferably in a large, public sector organization.
  
  
  

Assets:

• Certification in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field.
  
  
  

Skills required for success:

• Thorough knowledge of and experience with supply chain/procurement legislation, policies, processes, and trade agreements.
• Knowledge and understanding of RFx methods and approaches.
• Knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing methodologies and approaches.
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong research skills.
• Ability to determine appropriate procurement and sourcing strategies.
• Ability to lead and facilitate meetings with business partners and suppliers.
• Ability to identify risks and mitigation strategies in procurement processes.
• Ability to identify where non-standard processes should apply; ability to make effective recommendations and seek approval for action as required.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and completeness of documentation.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations and conflicting priorities while maintaining a high degree of professionalism.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective and professional working relationships with colleagues, business partners, and suppliers.
• Ability to consider the impact on other organizations and business units.
• Strong business writing skills, including drafting contracts and clauses.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in contract negotiations, evaluations, and debriefs.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a self-directed manner with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Ability to make well-thought-out, independent decisions using business acumen and working with legislation, corporate policies, and guidelines.
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies ( https://bit.ly/4brRrXm )
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation, and inclusion.
• Applicants may be tested.
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• The work environment is typical of an office setting. This position is primarily sedentary, involving tasks such as sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, and lifting up to 10 lbs.
  
  
  

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected] . Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits

Up to 1 permanent full-time position

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week

Salary Range : $47.165 - $59.278 (Hourly); $83,092.940 - $104,433.020 (Annually)

Talent Acquisition Consultant: AM/VH

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.