Contracts Manager - New York, New York, USA

Datadog is seeking a skilled and adaptable Contracts Manager to join its growing Legal team. In this role, you will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a diverse range of vendor contracts. This role operates within established playbooks, contract templates, an ...

Job description

Datadog is seeking a skilled and adaptable Contracts Manager to join its growing Legal team. In this role, you will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a diverse range of vendor contracts. This role operates within established playbooks, contract templates, and/or risk frameworks across Datadog's vendor ecosystem, with non-standard or higher-risk issues escalated to senior legal team members. You will also contribute to process improvements that support efficient and consistent contracting practices. 

At Datadog, we place value in our office culture - the relationships and collaboration it builds and the creativity it brings to the table. We operate as a hybrid workplace to ensure our Datadogs can create a work-life harmony that best fits them.

What You'll Do:

• Work closely with the Legal team and serve as a key point of contact for Procurement and internal stakeholders, supporting supplier and service provider engagements under established legal guidance. Responsibilities cover the full contract lifecycle from intake and negotiation through execution, amendment, and end-of-life.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a range of standard buy-side commercial agreements, with an emphasis on SaaS and technology-related vendor transactions. Typical intake may include agreements covering software, cloud services, privacy, professional services and consulting, marketing and advertising, equipment agreements (purchase, rental, and maintenance), office operations, facilities, and benefits.
• Partner cross-functionally with business stakeholders and subject-matter experts, including Product, Privacy, Security, and Procurement, to identify gaps between proposed contract terms and business, technical, and compliance requirements.
• Support vendor dispute resolution efforts by gathering information and coordinating with legal and business stakeholders. 
• Support and advise on contract renewals and amendments, and provide practical guidance to internal teams regarding rights, obligations, and risk exposure under existing agreements.
• Contribute to the development, enhancement, and ongoing maintenance of contract templates, negotiation playbooks, and scalable self-service resources.
• Collaborate with the Legal Operations team to support and optimize the Legal Department's use of technology, including contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and AI-assisted contract review tools.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives to advance the Legal Department and company-wide objectives.

 Who You Are: 

• A contracts professional with at least 5 years of experience reviewing, redlining, negotiating, and advising on a broad range of commercial agreements, with a working knowledge of data privacy and security issues related to technology, benefits, marketing and other vendor agreements. Experience with real estate contracting and vendor dispute resolution is a plus, but not required.
• Able to manage standard contract work with limited guidance, exercising sound judgment in day-to-day decision making, and appropriately escalating non-standard or higher-risk issues when legal, commercial, or other considerations warrant broader review.
• Demonstrated ability to identify legal, operational, and business risk in proposed contract terms, clearly explain those risks to internal stakeholders, and propose alternative language consistent with established guidance, escalating as needed.
• A problem solver who can identify efficiency and scalability opportunities and collaborate with senior team members on the implementation of process improvements.  This may include supporting the development of self-service resources, training materials, playbooks, and related workflow improvements.
• Organized, process-driven, and resourceful, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
• Curious and adaptable, with a desire to learn and an aptitude for technology and legal operations tools.
• A strong written and verbal communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and remain effective in fast-paced or high-pressure situations.
• Flexible and eager to operate in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment, with a mindset that no task is too big or too small.

Datadog values people from all walks of life. We understand not everyone will meet all the above qualifications on day one. That's okay. If you're passionate about technology and want to grow your skills, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits & Growth: 

• Generous and competitive benefits package
• New hire stock equity (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan
• Continuous career development and pathing opportunities
• Employee-focused best in class onboarding
• Internal mentor and cross-departmental buddy program
• Friendly and inclusive workplace culture

Benefits and Growth listed above may vary based on the country of your employment and the nature of your employment with Datadog.

#LI-Hybrid