Contracts Lead

The Contract Manager, PA supports the businesses of Process Automation (PA) and the Industrial Automation (IA) Strategic Business Unit in India, and reports into the General Counsel – HAIL, IA & PA for India. This role will be partnering with sales, commercial, and functional teams to enable growth, execute deals, and drive contracting excellence across the region.

The role encompasses all facets of contract formation and contract management, including drafting, interpretation, negotiation, review, and administration of complex customer agreements. The Contract Manager ensures that final contractual documents reflect all deal parameters approved under the applicable approval processes and that business is conducted in accordance with the highest ethical standards, internal company policies, and local and international laws.

Through effective management and oversight of contract execution, this role helps ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, mitigates risk, and protects the Company's commercial interests across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior point of contact in PA and IA (India) for commercial contracting matters, partnering with the legal team and business leadership to deliver timely contract support across the region.
• Draft, review, negotiate, interpret, and administer legal documentation for a broad range of commercial transactions, including customer sale agreements, supply agreements, distribution agreements, licensing agreements, joint development agreements, and other related business agreements.
• Manage the regional PA and IA contract review function in alignment with established contracting processes, baseline terms, and practices; identify and mitigate risks connected with non-standard conditions; advise internal clients on legal and contractual requirements.
• Provide independent contract evaluation and guidance to internal stakeholders regarding their contractual rights and obligations.
• Analyze and advise on contractual and related legal issues arising in commercial transactions and project execution, including commercial law, intellectual property, licensing, and risk/opportunity analysis; provide legal advisory services to management and the business.
• Manage litigation and dispute resolution for the region, including project-related disputes, customer and vendor claim management, and project delay analysis; develop and direct dispute-resolution strategy, coordinate with external counsel, and escalate significant matters to senior counsel as appropriate.
• Support corporate compliance in the contracting process, covering competition law, anti-bribery regimes (FCPA, Prevention of Corruption Act), and IP protection. Ensure that agreements and purchase orders executed by the Company comply with the Honeywell Code of Business Conduct, the applicable approvals matrix, SEA, and other internal company policies.
• Conduct preventive-law and contracting training for the business on a range of topics, including competition law compliance, contracting excellence, protection of intellectual property, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and workplace issues and policies; train internal stakeholders on key contractual clauses, the Honeywell Code of Business Conduct, and the use of and compliance with established contracting processes.
• Lead development and maintenance of standardized processes, templates, and clause libraries for efficient contracting services.
• Track and manage contractual obligations, approvals, renewals, and expirations; maintain accurate contract records and repositories.
• Guide and mentor junior contracting staff, sharing best practices and supporting continuous improvement of the contracting function.

Qualifications (You Must Have)

• Indian law graduate with an LL.B degree. Company Secretarial qualification (ACS/FCS) will be an added advantage.
• At least 10 to 12 plus years of relevant experience in contract drafting, negotiation, and management with a major law firm and/or corporation.
• Strong multinational commercial transactional experience across a range of commercial agreements. Contracting experience in the Oil and Gas or industrial automation industry will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrable record of acting as a business partner, providing advice that blends legal experience with a genuine understanding of and appreciation for the client's business objectives, and the ability to understand and support the business effectively.
• Excellent communication and strong negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and to work under pressure against tight timelines, including extended hours when required.

We Value

• Ability to analyze and interpret terms and conditions.
• Strong intellectual capacity and high personal standards of excellence.
• Personal presence, communication skills, and credibility necessary to effectively interact with and influence senior stakeholders.
• Integrity and good judgment.
• Ability to set priorities and work independently, driving key initiatives with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to work with team members and suppliers across different locations and functions.
• Attention to detail and a drive for efficiencies and process improvements.
• Solid analytical skills and strong business acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on complex situations and to consistently make timely decisions balancing available information.
• Ability to convey information with clarity and directness.
• Strong organization and project management skills.
• Interest and ability to advise and motivate the business on contractual issues affecting commercial transactions.
• Self-motivated, dedicated team player who takes a proactive approach to continuously improving the internal contracting function.
• Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time.