Commercial Contracts Manager

About Vantage Group

Vantage Group is a global leader in airport and transportation investment, development, management and advisory services.  Since 1994, Vantage's corporate and network-wide team has managed an award-winning portfolio, building strong partnerships that integrate global expertise and local know-how to solve complex transportation challenges at every network location.  Over three decades, Vantage has built a track record of creating customized solutions to transform airports and transportation centers that benefit the passengers, stakeholders, and communities they service.  Vantage is a wholly owned strategic platform of Investcorp Corsair Infrastructure Partners for capital deployment in the airport and transportation sectors.  Visit vantagegroup.com to learn more.  

The Role

The Commercial Contracts Manager is responsible for the management of the full lifecycle of contracts and agreements, leading the drafting, review, execution, and ongoing management of commercial arrangements with clients, concession operators, and other strategic partners. This role ensures all agreements comply with federal, state, and local laws, corporate policies, and business objectives, while mitigating contractual risks and maintaining consistency across projects and locations. The Manager monitors existing agreements to ensure compliance and timely renewals, develops and maintains agreement templates, and supports the commercial team in negotiations, securing favorable terms and conditions for the organization. Acting as a trusted advisor, the Manager provides strategic input to business leaders on commercial terms, risk allocation, and negotiation strategies to support growth and safeguard the company’s interests.

Role and Responsibilities:

Contract Lifecycle Management

• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a wide range of commercial agreements.
• Oversee the full execution process, ensuring timely approval and compliance with governance requirements.
• Maintain and update standard agreement templates, playbooks for consistency across the business, including but not limited to; leases, term sheets, official notices, letters of intent, default letters, termination letters, and demand letters.
• Review term sheets and letters of intent, as needed
• Monitor active contracts to ensure obligations are met, breaches are avoided, and renewals or amendments are handled appropriately.
• Create (where necessary) and maintain lease abstracts for all current and future agreements

 Commercial Strategy & Risk Management

• Support negotiations with clients, concession operators, suppliers, and partners to secure favorable business terms.
• Manage the development of short-term agreements/license templates specific to each site
• Assess and mitigate contractual risks, escalating critical issues to leadership as needed.
• Ensure alignment of agreements with business goals, financial targets, and strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial terms and safeguard organizational interests.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and commercial teams on contract terms, negotiation strategies, and risk allocation.
• Act as the key point of contact with internal and external legal counsel, and the wider commercial team to ensure contracts meet cross-functional requirements.
• Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on contractual obligations, policies, and best practices.

Governance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as corporate policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain systems for contract tracking, reporting, and lifecycle management.
• Provide management with regular updates on contract status, risks, performance, and key milestones.
• Maintain contractual records and creating an internal depositary of agreements.
• Review agreements for key terms, provide summaries and communications for the wider team.
• Understand and assist with nuances of ACDBE (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) programs and requirements.
• Develop and manage annual budgets of external counsel associated with various projects and associated invoice reviews for these resources

Other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position may be assigned.

About you:

• 7-10 years of experience in contract management, commercial agreements, or related roles.
• Proven track record in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, risk management, and compliance requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in law, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field
• Experience with client, concession operator, and/or vendor agreements preferred.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and tools is a plus.
• Proven track record of leading strategic planning processes and implementing cross-functional initiatives. 
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data to drive decisions and measure impact.
• Exceptional relationship management skills and the ability to build and grow connections with people of all types and backgrounds.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Comfortable working in a matrixed environment and influencing without direct authority.
• Experience in leading distributed teams or multi-location organizations.
• Working knowledge of financial/budget management.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary operational reviews and showcase effective leadership.
• Curious about the “why” and able to thrive in ambiguity.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of project management & delivery techniques.
• Demonstrable business acumen. 
• Critical thinking and analytical skills for the resolution of operational problems.
• A team player focused on effective operational performance in a complex environment.
• Ability to foster ongoing relationships with network airports and stakeholders.
• Aptitude for critical problem solving and conflict resolution, with the ability to maintain objectivity and impartiality.
• Ability to multitask, manage time and respond well under pressure.

Primary Work Location: Chicago or Hybrid US

What we offer

In addition to a competitive compensation and benefits package, career progression, and access to a global team of talented professionals, we are growing and offer boundless opportunities to make your mark. If you share our sense of adventure, come, and join us for the journey.   The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000. 

To apply

Please visit our Careers page at:

https://www.vantagegroup.com/careers/ and follow prompts to apply with your cover letter and résumé.

All qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in the US will be considered.

At Vantage Group, we seek and welcome unique backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and skills. As a global organization, we are always looking for differentiated points of view.

We know that a diverse, inclusive and empowered workforce is essential to our shared success, and we invite you to join us for the journey.