If you work in education—whether in school leadership, administration, or operations—you already know that behind the scenes, a lot of wheels need to turn smoothly to keep things running. What often doesn’t get talked about enough? Contracts.

Not just legal documents for lawyers to worry about, but the everyday agreements that govern vendors, staff, technology platforms, and more. These agreements are everywhere in a school or university’s ecosystem, yet they’re often handled in ways that haven’t evolved much in decades.

And that’s a problem.

Because in a world where expectations are higher and budgets tighter, managing contracts the old way—manually, through email chains, spreadsheets, or even physical files—just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Let’s talk about why that is.

SignDesk provides innovative solutions that transform contract management processes, making them more efficient and compliant. By integrating SignDesk’s technology, educational institutions can overcome common hurdles, enhance operational effectiveness, and focus more on academic excellence.

The Cost of Doing It the “Usual” Way

Most educational institutions aren’t trying to be inefficient. But when contracts are delayed, misplaced, or mishandled, the consequences can add up fast.

In fact, some estimates suggest that poor contract management eats up around 9% of potential revenue. For a university, that could mean millions lost—not through fraud or scandal, but through delays, missed deadlines, or compliance slip-ups.

It’s not just a financial story either. When contracts go wrong, it affects people. A teaching hire might get delayed. A digital learning tool might not launch on time. A grant-funded program might fall through the cracks.

Then there’s the legal angle. Privacy rules like FERPA and GDPR require strict safeguards around data and documentation. Manually tracking everything increases the risk of something slipping through—and with it, the risk of fines or damaged trust

Contracts in Education: More Complex Than You Might Think

In schools and universities, contracts aren’t all alike. Some are one-page service agreements. Others are multi-year, multi-party employment documents. Here’s a quick snapshot:

  • Agreements with vendors—for classroom supplies, lab equipment, cafeteria services, and maintenance.
  • Employment letters for faculty, often including research roles, tenure clauses, or grant deliverables.
  • Licensing contracts for software used in both teaching and back-end operations.
    Managing these with email folders and spreadsheets is like trying to steer a ship using sticky notes. It’s no wonder things fall through the cracks.

What Happens When You Automate?

A smarter, more streamlined way of handling contracts exists—and it’s called Contract Lifecycle Management, or CLM. But think of it less like a system, and more like a very organized assistant who never forgets anything.

Here’s what modern CLM tools do:

  • Automatically send contracts to the right people for review.
  • Flag anything that looks non-compliant or risky.
  • Store everything securely in one place (no more digging through inboxes).
  • Give you real-time updates on who’s signed, who’s delayed, and what’s next.

In other words, it cuts out the confusion, and gives back hours to the people who really need them—educators, staff, and administrators.

A Case Worth Learning From

Let’s look at a university that made the switch. Before adopting CLM solution, this mid-sized institution was facing a lot of the issues we’ve talked about: delayed approvals, lack of visibility, and repeated compliance worries.

Once they implemented the new system, here’s what changed:

  • Approval times dropped by half.
  • Regulatory alerts kicked in automatically.
  • Everyone—from HR to Finance—could see where contracts stood, at any point.

But the biggest shift? Their admin teams could finally focus on higher-value work. That meant launching new academic initiatives, expanding student services, and supporting faculty in more meaningful ways.

How SignDesk Fits Into the Picture

SignDesk didn’t just build software—they built it with the realities of educational institutions in mind. Features like pre-approved templates, digital signatures, and automated reminders were designed specifically to reduce friction.

Here’s what schools appreciate:

  • No more starting contracts from scratch every time.
  • Remote-friendly tools that work for hybrid campuses.
  • Bank-grade security that keeps sensitive information protected.
  • Workflows that reflect how real academic teams operate.

This Isn’t Just About Tech. It’s About Mindset.

Because when contracts are managed well, schools save time, reduce risk, and redirect resources to what really matters: learning, teaching, and building better futures for students.

If your institution is still managing contracts the same way it did 10 years ago, it might be time to rethink things. Not just for convenience—but for impact.