Chainguard
Contracts Manager
Job Summary
This role focuses on owning and optimizing the contract lifecycle management (CLM) system and processes at Chainguard. The candidate will collaborate with Legal, Sales, Finance, and Operations teams to streamline contract workflows, improve reporting, and support legal initiatives. Key qualifications include experience with CLM systems (preferably Ironclad), project management skills, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. The position emphasizes process enhancement, stakeholder communication, and ensuring contracts are managed efficiently and accurately.
Required Skills
Benefits
Job Description
The role, in a nutshell:
“Good fences make good neighbors,” and we believe that good contracts do the same. You will have the opportunity to impact Chainguard through your strategic mind, organizational skills, and your supreme negotiating powers.
You’ll own and operate our entire contract lifecycle management (CLM) system, ensuring that every agreement we execute is handled with precision and efficiency. You’ll be moving fast, but using your detail-oriented superpowers, will help us build and scale our contract processes to match the exciting pace of our business. You’ll also be the connective tissue between our Legal, Sales, Finance, and Operations teams.
We believe in utilizing the most impactful tools available, and we need your help to ensure we can balance the need for speed while keeping Chainguard legally protected. It’s an important job.
What You’ll Do:
- Ownership and optimization: Take the reins of our CLM system (currently Ironclad), driving seamless contract workflows from intake through signature and beyond.
- Strategic connector: Collaborate closely with Legal, Sales, Finance, and other business partners to accelerate deal cycles while upholding compliance and risk standards.
- Tell us a story: Storytelling with data-driven insights. Lead reporting and analytics on contract status, cycle times, and key legal metrics which will fuel process improvement, and smarter decision making.
- Be a champion: Support impactful legal team initiatives, from developing playbooks and refining templates to driving process enhancements that elevate the company.
- Do all the things: Take on a wide range of legal operational tasks. Whether that is assisting with NDA reviews, or spearheading cross functional projects that enhance contract management.
What We’re Looking For:
- CLM and contract operations pro. Proven experience managing CLM systems and scaling contract operations within high growth companies.
- Expertise across the contract lifecycle. Deep understanding of contract lifecycle management. (Hands-on experience with Ironclad is strongly preferred)!
- Project management powerhouse. Exceptional organizational, project management, and communication skills. You confidently drive processes forward and keep stakeholders aligned.
- Efficiency with precision. Ability to balance meticulous attention to detail with a pragmatic, results driven approach. You know when to optimize for accuracy vs. speed.
- Fast paced environment thriver. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities in a dynamic, evolving start-up landscape.
Bonus Points:
- Experience supporting legal operations or contract management at a security-focused company or in a compliance-heavy industry.
- Familiarity with legal tech tools and best practices around contract metrics, reporting, and automation beyond CLM.
- Passion for process improvement and legal enablement. You believe Legal should help power the business, not slow it down.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- You’ll join a genuinely collaborative and supportive Legal team that thrives in the fast pace of a start up (and knows how to have fun along the way)!
- We are a flexible, remote first culture that works because we’re accountable to getting our stuff done.
- We have a culture built on autonomy, trust, and accountability.
- We really do live by our value of not taking ourselves too seriously. If you like an environment where egos are checked at the door this might be the place for you.
About Us
Chainguard is the secure foundation for software development and deployment. By providing guarded open source software, built from source and updated continuously, Chainguard helps organizations eliminate threats in their software supply chains.
Founded by the industry's leading experts on open source software, security and cloud native development, Chainguard has built the largest library of open source software that is secure by default.
Chainguard’s mission is to be the safe source for open source.
We live and breathe our company values:
We are customer obsessed - We focus on delivering solutions to our customers that create value and make their lives better.
We have a bias for intentional action - We prioritize, plan, try things, and fail fast.
We don’t take ourselves too seriously (but we do serious work) - We are solving an important problem which takes focus, but we also like to enjoy the journey.
We trust each other and assume good intentions - We’re transparent with decisions to empower team members to make well informed decisions.
A few of the benefits we offer:
- Flexible & Remote-First Culture: Work remotely with team meetup opportunities, bi-annual destination summits, and a $400 monthly stipend for coworking spaces, phone and internet costs.
- Our Approach to Equity: Receive stock options upon hire and promotion. Plus, you can participate in secondary offerings and have 10 years to exercise your options (yes, you read that correctly: 10 years!).
- 100% Covered Health Insurance: We cover 100% of your health, vision and dental insurance premiums for you and your dependents. Nothing comes out of your paycheck.
- ∞ Flexible Time Off: Take the time you need – to do our best work, we need to recharge and reset.
- 18 Weeks Paid Parental Leave: We offer 18 weeks for birthing parents and 12 weeks for non-birthing parents, with the option to use it all at once or throughout your child's first year.
- For a full list of our benefits and rewards, click here.
If your experience is close but doesn’t fulfill all requirements, please apply. We’re building the best team in technology and are focused on hiring “Chainguardians'' with unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Chainguard is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.
By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Chainguard will process your personal data in accordance with Chainguard’s Privacy Policy.
©2025 Chainguard. All Rights Reserved.
Interested in this job?
Applications are no longer being accepted for this job.
Chainguard
Discover Chainguard's hardened, vulnerability-free container images designed to keep your infrastructure secure and efficient.
See more jobsSafe Remote Job Search Tips
Verify Employer Thoroughly
Research the company's identity thoroughly before applying. Check for a professional website with contacts, active social media, and LinkedIn profiles. Verify details across platforms and look for reviews on Glassdoor or Trustpilot to confirm legitimacy.
Never Pay to Get a Job
Legitimate employers never require payment for applications, training, background checks, or equipment. Always reject upfront payment requests or demands for bank details, even if they claim it's for purchasing necessary work gear on your behalf.
Safeguard Your Personal Information
Protect sensitive data like SSN, bank details, or ID copies. Share this only after accepting a formal, written job offer. Ensure it's submitted via a secure company system or portal, never through insecure channels like standard email attachments.
Scrutinize Communication & Interviews
Watch for communication red flags: poor grammar, generic emails (@gmail), vague details, or undue pressure. Be highly suspicious of interviews held only via text or chat apps; legitimate companies typically use video or phone calls.
Beware of Unrealistic Offers
If an offer's salary or benefits seem unrealistically high for the work involved, be cautious. Research standard pay for similar roles. Offers that appear 'too good to be true' are often scams designed to lure you into providing information or payment.
Insist on a Formal Contract
Always secure and review a formal, written job offer or employment contract before starting work or sharing final personal details. Ensure it clearly defines your role, compensation, key terms, and conditions to avoid misunderstandings or scams.