JOB OVERVIEW:
The Contracts Manager assumes responsibility for the ongoing improvement, management and execution of the contract management process (non-Real Estate) matters for the enterprise and operating companies.  Under direct attorney supervision, the Manager facilitates the contractual process to ensure the profitability and growth of Darden Restaurants in an efficient and proactive manner.  The Manager is responsible for tactical oversight of the negotiation process along with contract administration. The Manager assumes key responsibility for contract interpretation, term sheets, proposal preparation, claims, modifications, amendments, extensions, nondisclosure agreements and request for proposals. The Manager assists in any audits, reviews and such special projects as required. Principal areas of focus are purchasing, distribution and information technology. Primary clients include Darden’s corporate purchasing, supply chain, total quality and information technology business units as well as other areas

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Reviews and drafts contracts, documents, amendments and matters related to the Company’s business and other interest, including those related to restaurants operations, supply and distribution and information technology
• Identifies, manages and communicates transactional risks and opportunities associated with the Company’s commercial dealings
• Monitors, tracks and provides insight  on contract design and administration, compliance, and other transactional issues
• Executes daily tasks associated with all or a portion of the contract management process
• Develop, implement and sustain processes and controls necessary to maximize negotiation leverage of Darden Restaurants to execute agreements with Vendors
• Support the development of and ensure ongoing execution of tactical strategy to draft, negotiate and execute agreements for the mutual success of Darden Restaurants and Vendors
• Provide thought leadership and feedback to Associate Counsel for the optimization of work flow, template design and other areas of the contract process
• Independently solve problems and anticipate issues that may arise when negotiating agreements or resolving disputes through an applied knowledge of dispute resolution
• Collaborate  with business colleagues to capture and synthesize business objectives into written format to write requests for proposals; leverage in-depth knowledge of Darden Restaurant’s products and contracting requirements
• Manage compliance with all aspects of contract standardization initiatives
• Review risk allocation of contract or proposed resolution of disputes with Associate Counsel to ensure the appropriate protection for Darden Restaurants
• Under the supervision of Associate Counsel, complete legal and corporate research and synthesize information into written memorandums or presentations
• Develops project plans to guide projects; plans, organizes, monitors and controls assigned aspects of a project to ensure engagement, commitment, and risk management
• Seeks and acts on cross-functional feedback to develop strategies for the optimized execution of contracts and other contract related documents for general procurement, information technology and corporate operations
• Represent the Contract Management function through support and involvement in task force functions and special projects as they arise
• Review contract template, propose, and execute updates of terms and conditions  and update/maintain contract sample library based on negotiation experiences with Vendors
• Ensures the maintenance of the official records of negotiation and accurate files of all correspondence through matter management and electronic repository databases
• Educate departments supported by Contract Management through informative meeting presentations utilizing visual aids and hands-on workshops as necessary
• Required Leadership Competencies: Acts with Character and Integrity; Values and Respects Diversity; Communicates Effectively and with Candor; Coaches and Develops; Knows and Champions the Employee; Thinks Strategically about the Business ; Knows and Champions the Guest/Customer; Leverages Capability Across Boundaries; Defines and Achieves Excellence with Accountability; Supports Innovation and Change

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND EDUCATION:

• Bachelors Degree required (Business, Economics, Engineering, Science, or related field) JD, CPA or Masters Degree in Business Administration, encouraged to apply for the position.
• National Contracts Manager Association (NCMA) - Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), Paralegal or similar certification, preferred
• Six Sigma Quality green belt certification a plus
• 3+ years of progressively increasing work responsibility with non-Real Estate contract administration experience required; experience at a large company, consulting firm or law firm preferred
• Strong background in negotiating contractual agreements with sophisticated including international business partners required
• Proven experience in drafting and executing large contracts, statements of work and requests for proposals required
• Understanding of information systems technology preferred
• Flexibility to work multiple tasks concurrently required
• Experience and thorough knowledge of legal relationships, business dynamics, and contract principles arising in the context of corporate purchasing, supply chain, total quality and information technology business units as well as other areas with contractual needs on a national or international scale required
• Excellent writing, research, organizational and problem solving skills required
• Demonstrated strong initiative and ability to handle multiple projects/roles requiring the collaboration of multiple functional groups required
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a matrix environment; proven capability leading and influencing cross-functional and a strong team orientation required
• Working knowledge of contracting and dispute resolution principles (development of term sheets, drafting, negotiation strategies, administration of databases, etc.) required
• Excellent written, presentation and verbal communications skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely articulate complex legal concepts for a lay audience required
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook required
• Proven ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions required

SALARY RANGE: $59,100 - $78,800

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Red Lobster - Manager Media & Communications - 00012307 - MGRMECOMMCN
Class: Exempt
Posted: 2/17/2009

JOB OVERVIEW:
Under the Direction of the Director of Media and Communications, the Media and Communications Manager manages the planning, organization and implementation of public relations and communications objectives to achieve company goals and build brand equity. The Manager assumes lead responsibility for developing and executing plans for brand focused public relations. This includes internal and external communication functions, interacting with media, community leaders, vendors and operators in the local areas of our restaurants. This position also provides day-to-day communications counsel to Operations and Marketing partners, particularly in the areas of issue management and executive communications. Additionally, the Manager ensures internal communications are executed within the framework of Darden's Internal Communication strategy in order to reinforce the culture, employment proposition and brand promise. The Manager leads and supports the development of strategic content for internal conferences and supports executive preparation for communications engagements as directed. The Manager takes the lead in managing vendor partners and public relation agencies, including project work.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
•Supports and coordinates interactions with select media, employees, PR agencies, and community; ensures messages support brand promise and enterprise alignment
•Supports brand teams in development of communications programs to help achieve marketing objectives
•Consistently monitors media to identify issues and trends that need to be addressed; leverages insights to protect and promote the brand
•Manages resources, tasks, contracts, scope, and budgets for projects; supports and manages budgeting, contract agreements, and invoice payment for vendor-related work
•Develops and employs public relations tools (media materials, news releases, etc.) and publicity techniques to raise brand awareness among consumers    
•Leads and manages aspects of issue and reputation management as directed; including communications, identification of affected parties; develops and executes response plans
•Supports the identification of potential issues that could negatively affect the brand or enterprise reputation; develops advance response
•Serves as brand spokesperson as appropriate; executes media relations strategy; creates and implements media and communication materials
•Supports executive preparation for media interviews, conferences and other brand related speaking engagements; writes press releases and other written material for internal and external audiences
•Develops operating company communication plans and programs to ensure employees are informed, aligned and engaged with key business objectives in collaboration with Internal Communications; obtains and shares feedback on the effectiveness of communication activities
•Organizes and supports operating company and Restaurant Support Center updates/meetings
•Assists other departments with communications initiatives to ensure message consistency and brand integrity
•Responds to restaurant operations inquiries and provides relevant information and/or resources to support interactions with local media
•Supports the community relations and local marketing needs of operators (e.g. school programs, hotel programs, etc.)
•Manages day-to-day activities of and relationships with public relations agencies and other vendor partners

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND EDUCATION:
•Public Relations and Media Management
•Issue and Reputation Management
•Executive Communications
•Employee and Internal Communications
•Brand Strategy Development
•Brand Equity Management
•Project Management
•Bachelor's degree (Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or related field) required; Advanced degree preferred
•3+ years public relations, media, agency, newsroom or equivalent experience preferred; including 1+ years corporate public relations in a large corporation or agency
•1+ years employee and internal communications experience in a large corporation preferred
•Proven experience facilitating, aligning and coordinating proactive issue and reputation management preferred
•Proven professional writing and editing expertise across all communication mediums required
•Some travel required
•Or, equivalent combination of education, training and experience

SALARY RANGE: $66,500 - $88,600

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