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IÉSEG values innovation and creativity. Its mission is to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive as responsible changemakers for a better society in a fast-changing world. To achieve this, the School stays in close contact with companies to understand their current and emerging needs. With that goal in mind, IÉSEG developed the first Contract Management course offered at a French Grande École, as a core course in the General Management and Strategic Consulting Major.

IÉSEG has also entered into a strategic partnership with World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC), the international association in contract and commercial management. Each semester, the top students are given the opportunity to prepare for and earn the Fundamentals of “Commercial & Contract Management” (CCM) certification, which is internationally recognized and highly valued by employers.

Why teach Contract Management at IÉSEG?

The World Commerce & Contracting (WCC) association defines contract management as “the discipline that supports commercial management through the preparation, negotiation, implementation and oversight of legally enforceable performance commitments and risk positions, both outbound (to the market) and inbound (from the market).”

Contracts are a core instrument of strategy execution and organizations increasingly expect managers and consultants to understand how value is created and protected across business relationships. The Contract Lifecycle management consists of six phases: contract creation, negotiation and collaboration, review and approval, administration and execution, ongoing management and renewal, and reporting and tracking.

Poor contract management can lead to significant financial losses, operational inefficiencies, increased risk exposure and strained business relationships. Current estimates indicate it can account for nearly 9% loss of annual business value, whereas effective contract management enhances organizational performance by safeguarding value, improving compliance, reducing risk, and enabling successful execution of strategic objectives. With this course, IÉSEG students learn to master both the legal and commercial aspects of the discipline. 

As Contract Management is increasignly recognized as a value-creating function, demand for skilled contract managers continues to grow, especially as AI-powered technologies reshape the field. In France, entry-level salaries are attractive, with rapid progression for experienced professionals. Employers seek candidates with advanced degrees in law, business or engineering, and value bilingual proficiency and familiarity with AI-enabled contract management software. For IÉSEG, this presents a unique opportunity to align curricula with market needs, equipping graduates with the interdisciplinary skills required to thrive in this evolving field. Contract management is no longer a back-office function but a strategic function at the heart of organisational performance and compliance.

Proactive Contract Management: bridging theory and practice

IESEG’s new course combines contract management best practices with proactive law and proactive contracting, a forward-looking approach that focuses on preventing and minimising legal risks while using the legal system as a source for competitive advantage. In Western contexts (US, Canada…) this approach is known as legal strategy, and it is considered a core managerial competency.

Maximiliano MARZETTI, Professor of Law at IÉSEG, explains:

“Our course was aptly named Proactive Contract Management. In it, we teach students to view contracts not as static documents stored in a drawer after signature, but as living tools that build relationships and help organisations achieve commercial and strategic goals. Our course equips students with essential knowledge and skills to develop careers in contract management. By providing this course, we flatten the students’ learning curve to become future successful contract managers, helping companies provide faster and more effective in-house training that suits their needs. The course is hands-on: students follow a contract through the entire contract lifecycle, from drafting preliminary documents before engaging in negotiations, such as NDAs, to managing complex unanticipated events, such as trade tariffs, in an ongoing contractual relationship. Thus, they learn to anticipate and adapt to real-world challenges while saving the commercial goals of the contract and keeping healthy relationships with contractual partners whenever possible”.

Carla BADER, Professor of Management & Strategy and Head of the “General Management and Strategic Consulting” Major within IÉSEG’s Grande École Program, adds:

“We have integrated artificial intelligence into the curriculum in recognition of its growing impact on the contract lifecycle. AI supports contract drafting and review, risk identification, and informed negotiation and decision-making. At the same time, we emphasise the ethical use of AI as a tool to enhance—rather than replace—human judgment; effective and responsible contract management continues to require a ‘human in the loop’. Students are also trained to draft clear, accessible contracts using plain language and legal design principles, reducing reliance on legalese to improve comprehension, support compliance, and minimise misunderstandings between parties”.

WorldCC Student Connect: real-world knowledge and opportunities

Recognizing the importance of aligning business education with market needs, IÉSEG partnered with the WCC, the global leading association in contract management. This initiative bridges academic study and real-world experience, offering expert-led lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities. The collaboration includes help from WorldCC in creating specialized teaching content, supporting guest speakers, and facilitating industry events, to ensure the course is relevant and practical.

Thanks to this partnership, WorldCC will provide, each semester, free access to the certification “Fundamentals of CCM” to two of General Management and Strategic Consulting major top students at IÉSEG. This certification is one of the most recognized entry-level certifications for aspiring contract managers.

Professor Carla Bader concludes:

“This partnership with WorldCC provides our students not only with cutting-edge resources and certifications, but also direct access to a professional community that is transforming how businesses approach contract management. By blending the latest academic and practical insights, IÉSEG ensures graduates are fully equipped to add value and drive innovation within their organizations. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to delivering relevant, future-focused education that truly meets market needs.”

IÉSEG thereby confirms its position as a leading institution in contract management education, empowering students with real-world skills, professional credibility, and global employability in a fast-growing field.