Contract Manager, Africa and Middle East at Xylem Inc.

Role Description

• As the Contract Manager in support of Xylem’s business in Africa (80% time allocation) and Middle East (20% time allocation), this critical role will be responsible for providing time-sensitive advice on various commercial contracts and public bid opportunities throughout the region.
• The role takes on a more strategic role, leading in-depth compliance reviews and risk assessments.
• With extensive experience in compliance processes, the role also develops and implements strategies to mitigate risks and ensure organizational compliance with laws and regulations.
• This role often involves advising management on compliance matters and staying abreast of changes in the legal landscape.
• The role will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Providing timely and business-savvy advice on large public bids, product and service supply agreements, framework agreements with regional and global key accounts, agreements in support of company’s expanding digital offerings, including SaaS/NaaS and licensing agreements, channel partner agreements (agents and distributors), rental and maintenance agreement, real estate transactions and other agreements or contracts that are needed for the continuance of the operation.
• Advising and supporting in the life-cycle management of contracts, including creating templates, SOPs and overseeing the execution of the SOPs, to ensure the contracts are maintained and performed in a right and effective manner.
• Assisting with various aspects of joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions that may take place in the region.
• Providing training to help build contract review and negotiation capabilities within the company’s sales organization and understanding of the company’s compliance programs, policies and controls.
• Taking a “continuous improvement” mind-set to partner with clients in the region to improve legal processes and collaborating with colleagues in both the Emerging Market Legal Team and the rest of the global legal function on projects and initiatives.
• Act as a trusted Business Partner: builds trust and develops support among the business served, capable to bring in new ideas and a different spirit.
• Collaborates and works effectively across departments/orgs to achieve business goals.
• Handle job responsibilities independently and be able to apply own judgement.
• Commitment to producing high quality work product.
• Continuous Improvement: drive and proactively work together with Management organization to identify and implement continuous improvement activities.

Job Requirements

• Completed National Senior Certificate.
• Completed Bachelor’s degree in law qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years experience, some of which was gained in an in-house role.
• Significant commercial experience including developing contract review process, training commercial team members and overall building capacity in the business.
• Equal or similar position held with international company with strong compliance program.
• Solid experience with public procurement and technology transactions (IP licensing, Saas/Naas experience) a positive.
• Highly organized, detail oriented and able to meet deadlines in a multi-task, fast-paced environment.
• Strong advisory, negotiation and influential skills within multiple levels of the organization.
• Prior exposure to working with multi-functional teams.
• Proficient with MS Office Applications.
• Fluency in English, fluency in French is a plus.
• Flexibility to travel as and when required.

Skills & Competencies

• Organized and comfortable managing a diverse caseload in a dynamic environment.
• Absolute integrity and work ethics, including respect of all people.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to be a hands-on team player.
• Transparent and strong oral and written communication.
• Trustworthy, straightforward and hands-on.
• Strong level of emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Pragmatic and solutions-orientated.
• A growth mindset.