The Role
Manage Prolaio’s full contract lifecycle, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, processing, execution, renewals, and terminations. Track obligations, deadlines, risks, and performance metrics; support CLM implementation and process improvements; and serve as a contracting liaison to business leaders, vendors, consultants, clinical sites, and partners. The role also provides contract guidance, supports strategic initiatives, and ensures compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Us
Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world.
It is Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve.
Led by Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020.
We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients.
At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families, we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic—leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn, we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.
These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.
Prolaio is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager whose primary role will be to manage the complete contract lifecycle for Prolaio, including all aspects of contract creation, processing, drafting and administration for Prolaio. Employed by Kardigan and embedded within Prolaio, this role will support other initiatives, projects and programs within the broader Legal Department as requested. We are seeking an exceptional candidate with strong contract administration experience and attention to detail, who can collaborate cross-functionally, negotiate agreements, and communicate clearly and effectively. Attention to detail is essential in this role. You will join our fast-paced legal team, reporting to our Vice President, Corporate Law. This is a highly visible position within the companies as you will interface directly with business stakeholders and leadership.
Position Title: Manager, Contracts
Department: Legal
Reports To: VP, Corporate Law
Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid Model (2-3 days a week)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Contract Lifecycle Management
- Independently draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts including service agreements, consulting agreements, NDAs, vendor and supplier contracts, and statements of work (SOWs).
- Translate business needs into clear, legally sound contract language, balancing risk mitigation with operational flexibility.
- Ensure contractual terms comply with applicable laws, company policies, and industry regulations.
- Assist with the implementation of a contract lifecycle management (CLM) tool).
- Track key contractual obligations, renewals, and deadlines.
- Identify, assess, and escalate legal and business risks when necessary.
- Drive collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including vendors, service providers, consultants, clinical sites, and collaboration partners.
- Contract Operations & Reporting
- Manage contracts and process form requests from intake to execution and track Manage contracts from intake to execution, tracking status and communicating risks, priorities, and solutions to stakeholders at all levels.
- Develop and prepare key performance metrics and generate periodic reports on contract management.
- Coordinate and manage execution, renewals, and terminations of contracts.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize contracting processes, workflows, operational efficiency, and cross-functional alignment.
- Business Partnership & Training
- Serve as the primary liaison for internal partners and stakeholders on contract negotiations, processes, and operations, including anticipating contracting needs and providing guidance.
- Partner with senior business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to support strategic contracting initiatives and organizational priorities.
- General
- Monitor contract-related activities for compliance with internal policies, industry regulations, and applicable laws.
- Support special projects and contract-related initiatives.
- Perform other duties as requested, including initiatives supporting the broader Kardigan Legal Department.
Qualifications and Preferred Skills
- Bachelor's degree preferred; Paralegal certification preferred.
- At least 7 years of relevant experience with a minimum of 5 years of contract administration within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or medical device industry.
- Proven excellence in contract drafting and negotiation, with a solid foundation in biotech/pharma/med device contract terms and best practices, and the ability to manage complex agreements independently.
- Proficient in contract lifecycle and procurement processes, including experience with contract lifecycle management systems, e-signature platforms, and collaboration platforms; previous CLM implementation and administration experience strongly preferred.
- Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to triage, prioritize, and effectively advance multiple simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent issue spotting, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels inside and outside the organization.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Commitment to integrity, ethical conduct, and handling confidential information with discretion.
- Meticulous attention to detail; able to work independently with good judgment and a strong team-oriented mindset.
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply directly on Kardigan's Career Page:
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan/jobs/5452856008Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.
Pay range $100,000 to $130,000
Skills Required
- At least 7 years of relevant experience
- At least 5 years of contract administration experience within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or medical device industry
- Proven contract drafting and negotiation experience, including complex agreements
- Knowledge of biotech, pharmaceutical, or medical device contract terms and best practices
- Proficiency in contract lifecycle and procurement processes
- Experience with contract lifecycle management systems, e-signature platforms, and collaboration platforms
- Strong organizational and planning skills, including prioritization of multiple projects
- Excellent issue-spotting, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat
- Integrity, ethical conduct, and discretion when handling confidential information
- Meticulous attention to detail and ability to work independently with good judgment
- Bachelor’s degree
- Paralegal certification
- Previous CLM implementation and administration experience
Prolaio Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as starting on day one with strong employer contributions, alongside company-paid short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance. Telehealth access and multiple plan options further reinforce the depth of the medical offering.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is presented with clear structure for new hires, including vacation, sick time, and a notable slate of paid company holidays. Several listings also reference additional personal or wellness days.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave and caregiver/family medical leave are repeatedly cited in role descriptions, signaling emphasis on support for families. An onsite mother’s room is also mentioned for office-based staff.
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The Company
What We Do
Prolaio is a clinical intelligence company dedicated to unlocking continuous, predictive and shareable heart data to liberate patients from hospital-based reactive care and accelerate every new therapy. The company was created by cardiologists, cardiovascular practitioners, and data scientists specifically to address the world’s number one cause of death — cardiovascular disease. By combining scientific rigor with cutting‑edge technology, Prolaio aims to transform real‑world heart data into faster discovery today and precision care for functional cures tomorrow.
Why Work With Us
Kardigan and Prolaio were both founded to challenge the status quo in cardiology. If we have any shot at radically reducing the time and cost to develop meaningful new medicines and provide better healthcare access and outcomes for patients, we need to fundamentally embrace real-world data and AI-based tools in a way that is fully integrated across
Gallery
Prolaio Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Typical time on-site:
Flexible
Chicago, IL
