Manager, Contracts

Are we right for you...

Do you bring deep contracts expertise,  change orders, and complex commercial terms? 

Are you someone who can confidently support high-volume contract management needs while also helping a team grow its capability in contract drafting, amendments, contract orders, and negotiations? 

If you are energized by leading people, improving quality, and building practical contract management approaches that respond to changing organizational needs, this may be the next step in your career. 

In this role you will be asked to...

Lead BC Transit’s contract strategy and oversee the development, negotiation, execution, administration, and continuous improvement of contracts and contract management across the organization. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Services, you will guide BC Transit’s contracting methods, ensure appropriate templates, policies, and processes are in place, and provide strategic advice on broader contract priorities.  

You will be expected to bring depth in commercial contracting, construction contracting, and complex supplier arrangements. A significant part of the work will involve supporting construction-related contracts, including CCDC contracts, change orders, and contract administration. 

You will also support complex and emerging contracting needs, including IT contracts, outsourcing arrangements, and contract considerations related to embedded AI and evolving technology requirements. 

This role requires someone who can move between strategic leadership and hands-on support. You will advise on complex negotiations, support dispute resolution where required, improve contract templates and documents, and ensure that the team’s work is accurate, current, consistent, and aligned with legislation, procurement policy, and organizational needs. 

You will also be accountable for leading, coaching, supporting, and developing the Contracts team, including work assignment, performance management, employee engagement, and professional growth.

In this role you will not be asked to...

Operate only at a high-level strategic distance from the work. This is a leadership role, but it is also a hands-on contracts role. You will need to be comfortable rolling up your sleeves, reviewing contract language, supporting staff through complex matters, improving quality control, and helping the team build confidence and consistency in its work. 

You will not be expected to act as legal counsel; however, you will need strong commercial contract judgment and the ability to work effectively with legal support where required. The role creates and maintains commercial contract templates with legal guidance as needed.  

What you might love about this role...

• Lead and Develop a Capable Team: You will have the opportunity to coach, mentor, and upskill a contracts team that is building deeper capability in drafting, amendments, contract orders, and complex contract management.  
• Be the Contracts Expert in the Room: You will provide guidance and advice to Contract Analysts and leadership on complicated negotiations, contract drafting, contract management, procurement matters, and support  commercial disputes, escalations, and the resolution of supplier performance issues.  
• Shape BC Transit’s Contracting Strategy: You will help design the strategic vision for BC Transit’s contracting methods and recommend improvements to contract policies, practices, and documents based on trends, emerging needs, and case law.  
• Support Complex and High-Impact Work: You will be involved in construction contracts, CCDC-related work, change orders, IT contracts, outsourcing arrangements, and other complex supplier relationships that directly support BC Transit’s operations and future priorities. 
• Improve Quality and Consistency: You will help develop quality control practices, improve templates and processes, and ensure contracts are accurate, current, accessible, and consistent across the organization.  
• Innovate in a Changing Environment: You will have the chance to be innovative and modernize contract management practices in response to evolving business needs, supplier models, technology, outsourcing, and AI-related contracting considerations. 

What might not resonate...

• This is not a purely advisory role. If you prefer to remain removed from the detail of contract drafting, amendments, change orders, supplier issues, or escalations, this role may feel too hands-on. 
• The team needs active support and mentoring. If you are not energized by coaching, developing, and helping others build confidence and capability, this may not be the right fit. 
• The work is complex and varied. This role requires comfort navigating construction contracts, IT contracts, outsourcing arrangements, supplier performance, procurement obligations, commercial terms, and organizational risk. 

This role might not be for you if...

• You do not enjoy helping and supporting a team through complex day-to-day contract work. 
• You prefer to delegate contract details rather than engage directly when issues are complex or high-risk. 
• You are not comfortable rolling up your sleeves to improve templates, processes, quality control, and contract outputs. 
• You prefer routine contract administration over leading change, resolving ambiguity, and developing practical solutions. 
• You are not interested in emerging contract challenges related to technology, outsourcing, AI, and evolving supplier relationships. 

What you'll bring to the table...

Some qualities and experience you possess to be successful in this role: 

• Deep contracts expertise — strong experience with commercial contracting, contract negotiation, supplier management, contract administration, and complex contract issues.  
• Construction contract knowledge — experience supporting construction-related contracts, preferably including CCDC contracts, change orders, contract administration, and construction supplier management. 
• IT and technology contracting awareness — comfort supporting IT contracts and understanding how evolving technology, including embedded AI, may impact contract terms, risk allocation, supplier obligations, and organizational protections. 
• Public procurement and contract law knowledge — in-depth knowledge of procurement and contract law, competitive bid processes, contract management, and negotiations.  
• Leadership and coaching capability — experience leading, coaching, supporting, and developing employees, including performance management, work assignment, and employee engagement.  
• Strategic and practical judgment — demonstrated ability to analyze business, financial, technical, and legal issues and develop solutions.  
• Stakeholder engagement skills — excellent facilitation, communication, business acumen, and political acumen to work effectively with project managers, legal teams, subject matter experts, suppliers, and internal leaders.  
• Process improvement mindset — ability to develop, implement, and refine contract processes, templates, policies, and quality control practices to improve consistency and effectiveness. 

The successful candidate will typically bring a post-secondary degree in Law, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, and seven years of recent progressive experience in purchasing, contract negotiation, supplier management, and supervisory responsibilities. A supply chain designation such as SCMP, NISCL, CPSM, or similar is considered an asset. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.  

To view the full accountabilities for this position, please review the Manager, Contracts job description here.

What we'll bring to the table...

• Comprehensive medical and dental benefits to support you and your family, regardless of what life throws at you
• Membership in BC’s Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP). Nationally recognized for its strong investment and governance practices, PSPP is a “defined benefit” plan
• Access to fitness and lifestyle centers to help you take care of your physical fitness and health
• Various programs that support employees such as an Employee Assistance Program and health and wellness initiatives and events aimed at fostering your mental health
• A complimentary employee bus pass (plus taxable dependent passes)
• A corporate learning and development program to help you in continuous career growth
• An employee recognition program where we all recognize each other's successes (not just your Leaders!)
• A social club that gives you access to events throughout Victoria

What next steps could look like...

• Interviews will take place the week of August 10th, 2026.
• An assignment or presentation may be included as part of the recruitment process.
• The position requires the completion of a Criminal Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Search.
• An eligibility list may be established for future full time regular and full time temporary vacancies
• If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during any stage of our recruitment process, please contact careers@bctransit.com to let us know how we can assist you.
• BC Transit is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If the organization identifies this position as a reasonable accommodation for an existing employee, all candidates will be notified as soon as reasonably possible.