Contract Manager

Position Summary

The Contracts Administrator is responsible for managing the preparation, review, negotiation, and administration of contracts throughout their full lifecycle (cradle to grave). This position ensures compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and contractual obligations while supporting internal stakeholders, contractors, suppliers, and external partners. The ideal candidate will proactively manage risks, maintain accurate documentation, and provide expert guidance on contractual matters.

Key Responsibilities:

Contract Management

• Lead efforts to draft, review, and edit contracts, agreements, and amendments.
• Administer procurement contracts and purchase orders from award through closeout.
• Track and manage contractual deliverables, milestones, and compliance requirements.
• Manage contract modifications, change orders, and scope adjustments.
• Risk & Dispute Management
• Identify contractual risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Lead management of contractual claims from contractors.
• Develop and implement dispute prevention and resolution strategies.
• Draft claims management documentation (letters, agreements, settlements, presentations, term sheets).
• Monitor ongoing and foreseeable contractual disputes and recommend corrective actions.
• Advise project teams on coordination and communication strategies related to contract performance and risk.

Compliance & Record Keeping

• Maintain adherence to contractual obligations, regulations, and internal policies
• Maintain accurate contract documentation and version control.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Ensure contract documentation is complete, organized, and audit-ready.
• Negotiation & Coordination
• Serve as lead negotiator with vendors, clients, and subcontractors.
• Act as liaison between internal teams and external parties to resolve issues and clarify contract terms.
• Provide contractual guidance to cross-functional teams and project leadership.
• Support Program and Engineering teams in negotiating favorable and executable contract terms.
• Reporting & Analytics
• Prepare reports on contract status, compliance, and performance metrics.
• Track action items and route contract packages for internal review and approval.

Training & Guidance

• Train internal stakeholders on contract procedures, policy compliance, and best practices.
• Capture and communicate lessons learned to improve future contract negotiations and project execution.
• System Administration
• Maintain and update contract management systems and ERP platforms.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Participate in status meetings with contractors and project teams to identify and resolve potential issues.
• Assist in procurement planning and identification of subsystems, components, equipment, and services required for project scope.
• Prepare and finalize documents such as NDAs, Teaming Agreements, Service Agreements, and general correspondence.
• Coordinate with Contract Specialists and Legal teams to support consistent contracting activities.
• Develop procedures and documentation for process improvements and administrative controls.
• Evaluate proposals using objective criteria to secure the most favorable contractual terms.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2-5+ years of contract administration and/or procurement experience.
• Experience in construction, engineering, or highly regulated industries (nuclear, energy, aerospace, defense).
• Strong understanding of contract law and commercial terms.
• Knowledge of procurement and supply chain processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract management software.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• 5+ years of contract or project management experience, preferably within construction or industrial settings.
• Experience with construction and supply contracts, including on-site experience.
• Proficiency with SAP, ISN, and Sirion.
• Familiarity with Owners Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIP).
• Strong understanding of dispute resolution techniques, technical specifications, codes, and industry standards.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM (or similar).
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.