Salary contract administrator: Contracts Administrator I Salary | Salary.com
Contract Administrator Salary in Texas – $57,000
Mint salariesContract AdministratorTexas
Average salary
$57,000/yr
Based on 427 income tax records
$29,000
$110,500
Age:
Average salary by age
18-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56+
$29,000
$110,500
How much do Contract Administrators make?
The average total salary for a Contract Administrator is $57,000 per year. This is based on data from 427 TurboTax users who reported their occupation as Contract Administrator and includes taxable wages, tips, bonuses, and more. Contract Administrator salary can vary between $29,000 to $110,500 depending on factors including education, skills, experience, employer & location. Read more
Learn more about Mint Salary
DATA PROVIDED BY
Based on income reported to the IRS in box 1 of W-2.
From consenting TurboTax customers
Similar Occupations
Contract Administrator salary by location
View as a list
Contract Administrator salary by company
Employer
Average salary per year*
Salary range**
US Department Of Defense, Texas
36 income tax records
$69,500/yr
$35K – $99K
Oracle, Texas
14 income tax records
$56,000/yr
$45K – $71K
Contract Administrator demographics in Texas
55% are single
45% are married
41% have kids
55% own a home
Effective Tax Rates for Contract Administrators in Texas
427 full-time salaries from 2019
FAQS
The average salary for a contract administrator in Texas is $57,000 per year. Contract administrator salaries
in Texas can vary between $29,000 to $110,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses,
tips, and more.
Was this helpful?
This data is exclusive to Mint Salary and is based on 427 tax returns from TurboTax customers
who reported their occupation as contract administrator.
Was this helpful?
The following cities offer the highest salaries for contract administrators in Texas:
Austin, TX ($62,500 a year),
Fort Worth, TX ($60,500 a year),
and San Antonio, TX ($58,500 a year).
Was this helpful?
Other Occupations
Dishwasher in Lubbock County, TX
Videographer in Charlotte Metro Area, NC
Insurance Sales Representative in Indianapolis Metro Area, IN
Registered Nurse in Oregon City, OR
Materials Handler in Lake County, IL
Operations Administrator in Los Angeles Metro Area, CA
Construction Worker in Norfolk, VA
Clerk in North Port Metro Area, FL
See more
*
Total salary amounts here include total taxable wages, tips, prizes and other compensation. Salaries here are not representative of the total population and may reflect different levels of experience or education. Learn more
**
Total salary ranges shown here exclude outliers.
What Is A Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
Senior Contract Administrators/Contract Administrators handle the contract purchasing process from initial negotiations to the reception of the goods or services. They work in various types of organizations to ensure that employees have the equipment and supplies they need to be productive. Their duties may include buying, storing, and distributing supplies and offloading unused supplies. Contract administrators must also set goals for their department, develop and meet a budget, and may have to recommend changes in policies to improve efficiency.
Most employers require that contract administration professionals have a bachelor’s degree, at minimum. Programs in the acquisition, finance, or business administration can prepare you for a career in contracts. Bachelor’s degree programs offer courses in accounting, finance, economics, and management. To earn a master’s degree, you take courses in managerial accounting, procurement, and contracting law.
The BLS reports that administrative services managers, including those employed in contract administration, earn an average of $106,050 per year. However, those in senior roles earn even more.
What Does a Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Do
There are certain skills that many senior contract administrators/contract administrators have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed analytical skills, math skills and negotiating skills.
Learn more about what a Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator does
How To Become a Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
If you’re interested in becoming a senior contract administrator/contract administrator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 63.6% of senior contract administrators/contract administrators have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 16.3% of senior contract administrators/contract administrators have master’s degrees. Even though most senior contract administrators/contract administrators have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Learn More About How To Become a Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
Top Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Jobs Near You
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Career Paths
In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what’s a career path you ask? Well, it’s practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of contracts manager you might progress to a role such as project manager eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title director, procurement.
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
Contracts ManagerProject ManagerPurchasing Manager
Director, Procurement
13 Years
Contracts Manager
Contracts Director
12 Years
Contracts ManagerProgram ManagerSupply Chain Manager
Director Of Supply Chain Management
11 Years
Purchasing Manager
Senior Purchasing Manager
9 Years
Purchasing ManagerCategory Manager
Senior Category Manager
12 Years
Project ManagerBusiness Development Manager
Proposal Manager
10 Years
Show More
Top Careers Before Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
Contracts Administrator(58,038 Jobs)
30.6 %
Contracts Manager(13,218 Jobs)
11.5 %
Contracts Specialist(27,244 Jobs)
Top Careers After Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
Contracts Manager(13,218 Jobs)
31.7 %
Contracts Administrator(58,038 Jobs)
13. 1 %
Contracts Specialist(27,244 Jobs)
Recent Job Searches
-
Property Manager Jobs
ResumeLocationEast Lansing
-
Quality Control Analyst Jobs
ResumeLocationConroe
-
Retail Sales Consultant Jobs
ResumeLocationCovington
-
Sales Associate Jobs
ResumeLocationFarmington Hills
-
Senior Manager Of Marketing Jobs
ResumeLocationPrescott
-
Social Media Internship Jobs
ResumeLocationRedlands
Senior Contract Administrators/Contract Administrators in America make an average salary of $65,579 per year or $32 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $102,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $41,000 per year.
Average Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Salary
$65,579 Yearly
$31.53 hourly
$41,00010%
$65,000Median
$102,00090%
See More Salary Information
What Am I Worth?
Roles and Types of Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
The role of a senior contract administrator/contract administrator includes a wide range of responsibilities. These responsibilities can vary based on an individual’s specific job, company, or industry.Here are some general senior contract administrator/contract administrator responsibilities:
- Prepares moderately complex proposals, negotiates contracts,
- Work efficiently and independently to support the contractual needs of multiple business units by balancing diverging priorities, while maintaining effective communications
- Evaluates and administers agreements for contracted services including preparing new contracts, contract renewals,
There are several types of senior contract administrator/contract administrator, including:
Administrator
Role:
As administrator, it is your job to support your team. Your goal is that the entire office runs smoothly. So you’ve got to do the best you can to provide whatever your team needs to be successful. If they need you to get a tattoo to improve their morale, then. .. We’re kidding. Simply put, you’ll be responsible for providing office and administrative support. What you get tattooed on your body is business. But the business you work for is counting on your team to get the job done, so you might look forward to duties such as taking phone calls, helping with visitors, creating spreadsheets, and presenting in meetings.
For the most part, you’ll only need to work 40 hours each week. Although, some weeks may require a little more time from you. So, you just need to be flexible and roll with the punches. Sure, there’s a lot of responsibility resting on your shoulders, but we believe in you.
- Average Salary: $72,882
- Degree: Bachelor’s Degree
Purchasing Agent
Role:
Purchasing agents or buyers manage the inventory of companies. They research the best suppliers of the required goods, prepare and process orders, and verify deliveries. They negotiate the prices and assess the quality of the purchased products. Requesting quotes and managing the records of the transactions is also their responsibility.
They work in office environments. typically 40 hours a week, employed primarily by the manufacturing industries, but wholesale and government institutions use their services as well, and of course, retail.
A good purchasing agent is business savvy and organized, detail-oriented, and has the tenacity for thorough research. They usually have education in business administration and often use inventory management software to make their life easier.
- Average Salary: $51,950
- Degree: Bachelor’s Degree
Contracts Administrator
Role:
Contract administrators work for larger businesses where they create and manage legal contracts, making sure the company adheres to deadlines, deliverables, and other terms stated in the contract. By doing so, they minimize financial and legal risks and increase the chances of turning a profit for the company.
Contract administrators take part in contract negotiations and address doubts or questions regarding the contract’s contents. They monitor the budget and progress of the project, keeping an eye on compliance status and pending obligations. They coordinate with the legal team and prepare reports to present to management.
Companies that hire contract administrators work with a large number of contracts and use contract management software. Contract administration is a complex task and is usually taken on by people who have gained experience in related processes as contract specialists and have higher education in finance, accounting, or law.
- Average Salary: $52,876
- Degree: Bachelor’s Degree
View More
States With The Most Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Jobs
Mouse over a state to see the number of active senior contract administrator/contract administrator jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where senior contract administrators/contract administrators earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Average Salary: Job Openings:
Number Of Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Jobs By State
Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
---|---|---|---|
1 | California | 3,235 | $78,664 |
2 | Texas | 2,037 | $70,734 |
3 | Florida | 1,649 | $60,056 |
4 | New York | 1,129 | $62,044 |
5 | Illinois | 1,028 | $71,435 |
6 | Pennsylvania | 1,002 | $63,929 |
7 | Massachusetts | 952 | $47,968 |
8 | Colorado | 933 | $66,646 |
9 | North Carolina | 897 | $72,376 |
10 | Washington | 821 | $66,039 |
11 | Georgia | 809 | $67,316 |
12 | Arizona | 773 | $63,519 |
13 | Ohio | 746 | $64,199 |
14 | New Jersey | 617 | $62,334 |
15 | Minnesota | 594 | $51,986 |
16 | Virginia | 580 | $79,349 |
17 | Michigan | 531 | $65,652 |
18 | Alabama | 492 | $68,206 |
19 | Missouri | 449 | $59,464 |
20 | Oregon | 437 | $65,942 |
21 | Indiana | 429 | $63,499 |
22 | Tennessee | 424 | $61,837 |
23 | Wisconsin | 422 | $56,472 |
24 | Utah | 414 | $59,670 |
25 | Maryland | 359 | $78,607 |
26 | South Carolina | 357 | $66,308 |
27 | Connecticut | 314 | $56,439 |
28 | Kansas | 243 | $61,875 |
29 | Iowa | 239 | $54,191 |
30 | Kentucky | 233 | $68,582 |
31 | Oklahoma | 218 | $59,187 |
32 | New Mexico | 211 | $72,822 |
33 | Louisiana | 204 | $62,510 |
34 | Nevada | 187 | $68,379 |
35 | Nebraska | 178 | $56,542 |
36 | New Hampshire | 165 | $39,697 |
37 | Mississippi | 159 | $72,301 |
38 | Arkansas | 156 | $59,302 |
39 | Idaho | 152 | $55,371 |
40 | Alaska | 132 | $55,218 |
41 | Rhode Island | 123 | $46,649 |
42 | West Virginia | 117 | $76,389 |
43 | Hawaii | 116 | $60,063 |
44 | North Dakota | 103 | $42,683 |
45 | Delaware | 102 | $69,607 |
46 | Maine | 101 | $30,964 |
47 | Montana | 99 | $46,430 |
48 | Vermont | 83 | $41,684 |
49 | South Dakota | 76 | $51,848 |
50 | Wyoming | 67 | $55,778 |
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Education
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Majors
Business
43. 0 %
Political Science
Management
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Degrees
Bachelors
63.6 %
Masters
16.3 %
Associate
12.4 %
Top Colleges for Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrators
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-State Tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
6. SUNY College at Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,369
Enrollment
5,229
7.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
In-State Tuition
$45,542
Enrollment
14,159
9. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,570
Enrollment
3,721
10. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,853
Enrollment
14,759
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we’ve found all of the skills you’ll need so even if you don’t have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 10.0% of senior contract administrators/contract administrators listed contract administration on their resume, but soft skills such as analytical skills and math skills are important as well.
- Contract Administration, 10.0%
- Proposal Preparation, 7.1%
- Contract Management, 5.7%
- Contract Terms, 4.7%
- Non-Disclosure Agreements, 4.0%
- Other Skills, 68.5%
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Demographics
Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Gender Distribution
Female
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia’s data science team found that:
- Among senior contract administrators/contract administrators, 50.4% of them are women, while 49.6% are men.
- The most common race/ethnicity among senior contract administrators/contract administrators is White, which makes up 66.2% of all senior contract administrators/contract administrators.
- The most common foreign language among senior contract administrators/contract administrators is Spanish at 48.5%.
Online Courses For Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator That You May Like
Advertising Disclosure The courses listed below are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the course, we may receive a commission.
Legal Contracts and Agreements for Entrepreneurs
This course focuses on how legal contracts may impact or impede the success of aspiring and active entrepreneurs. We explore a wide variety of legal considerations, including: * What types of legal contracts and agreements are appropriate for which entrepreneurial activities and actions? * What is the role of torts, liability, and negligence in creating and managing products and services? * How should contracts and sales agreements be created, evaluated, and negotiated? * What legal…
View Details on Coursera
American Contract Law II
Course description: Contracts I & II provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand: Formation defenses:…
View Details on Coursera
American Contract Law I
American Contract Law I (along with its sister course Contracts II) provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to…
View Details on Coursera
Show More Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Courses
Job type you want
Full Time
Part Time
Internship
Temporary
How Do Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Rate Their Jobs?
Do you work as a Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator?
Rate how you like work as Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator. It’s anonymous and will only take a minute.
Top Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator Employers
- Zippia Careers
- Business and Financial Industry
- Senior Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator
Updated February 6, 2023
How to become a Contract Administrator • BUOM
April 22, 2021
A Contract Administrator helps businesses manage their legal documents. They are familiar with the steps in the contract management process, ensuring that all parties involved adhere to the agreed terms of the contract. Understanding the responsibilities of a contract administrator and what they do on a daily basis can help you decide if you want to pursue a career as an administrator. In this article, we’ll take a look at what a contract administrator is and suggest a few steps you can take to start a career as an administrator.
Who is a contract administrator?
A contract administrator or contract manager is a professional who develops, negotiates, reviews and evaluates a company contract on behalf of a business or organization. They may work for a variety of companies, including educational institutions, engineering firms, and insurance companies. Contract administrators review the details of the project contract and subcontract documents.
Contract administrators oversee all aspects of contracts, which may include the sale or purchase of goods, services, or materials. Some of the contracts these professionals work on may also include: 9Ol000
What does a contract administrator do?
Contract administrators review all company contracts and renew them before they expire. They make sure that all parties involved in the contract fulfill their obligations set out in the contract and abide by the terms. Some contract administrator job responsibilities include:
-
Develop contract proposals to support the organization’s objectives
-
Make sure all records are up to date and accurate
-
Review contract estimates to determine if they seem reasonable
-
Write contract letters, and notices other communications
-
Negotiate and approve contract terms to ensure project stays within budget
-
Attending meetings to determine project progress and communicate with stakeholders
-
Compile regular status reports to update project progress
-
Review contracts to ensure they comply with state and federal laws and regulations
-
Dealing with any potential risks associated with the contract
Dealing with contract issues
How to Become a Contract Administrator
Here are a few steps you can take to pursue a career as a contract administrator:
1.
Get a bachelor’s degree
To become a contract administrator, it is important to earn a bachelor’s degree. Typically, contract administrators earn a degree in business administration where they take courses in contract and commercial law. Other degrees to consider include finance, legal studies, economics, and human resources.
2. Review the steps
Learn the nine steps in the contract management process that will help you in your future contract administrator role. Steps include:
-
Contract Request
-
Check and note
-
Approval
-
Place of storage 9,0003
Documentation
-
Audit and Reporting
-
Update and Disposition
9000
9000 9000
018
3. Find Ways to Gain Experience
experience. Consider becoming a paralegal to develop the skills you need to become a contract administrator and gain your own legal experience.
4. Join the National Contract Management Association
You can become a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). The NCMA helps bring together contract administrators from across the country, and those affiliated with the NCMA often help each other find new positions and succeed in their jobs. The NCMA also keeps members up to date with the latest developments in the area that may affect how they perform their day-to-day work responsibilities.
5. Get certified through NCMA
Consider getting certified through NCMA to expand your knowledge. There are several certifications that can be obtained depending on your professional experience and hours of continuing professional education. To register, go to the NCMA website, complete the application, and register for the exam. The four program certifications offered by NCMA are:
-
Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM): Designed for professionals who support federal government initiatives and have at least two years of work experience and 80 hours of continuing professional education trained in accordance with Federal Procurement Regulations.
-
Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM): Certification of commercial contract managers with at least two years of experience and 80 hours of continuing professional education based on the Uniform Commercial Code.
-
Certified Contract Management Professional (CCMA): Designed for entry-level contract management professionals with knowledge of the contract management standard, at least one year of work experience, and 40 hours of continuing professional education.
-
Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM): Certification for government and commercial managers with more than five years of experience and 120 hours of continuing professional education.
6. Consider getting a master’s degree
To find more positions and improve your chances of promotion to a senior position, consider returning to school for a master’s degree. You may want to focus your studies on business administration or law to help you understand the legality and language of contract terms.
Development Skills
Here are some skills you can develop to become a contract administrator:
-
Attention to detail: To detect potential risks to the company they work for and identify errors or inconsistencies in contracts, contract administrators often pay attention to details.
-
Decision making: Contract administrators make well-informed decisions considering all contract variables.
-
Teamwork: In order to work with people from all levels of organization and experience, contract administrators may attempt to build long-term relationships. This includes building relationships with both internal and external business partners as well as the company’s customers.
-
Organization: Because contract administrators are multi-tasking, they can organize their responsibilities and multi-task to get them done.
-
Excellent communication: Contract administrators often post updates on the status of their projects, so they must have excellent communication skills.
-
Negotiation: When making contracts, contract administrators learn how to negotiate with others to fulfill their contracts.
Contract Administrator Salary
Salary may vary depending on your location, employer, certification, skills and experience. The average salary of contract administrators in the country is 68 905 dollars per year. Some contract administrators’ salaries are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, which often specifies their salary and required hours of work.
Please note that none of the entities mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
What is a contract administrator? Key Skills and Qualifications • BUOM
June 24, 2021
For companies that do business with multiple third parties, contracts are the foundation of their success. Contract administrators help businesses comply with legal agreements, which can ensure they receive the goods and services they are entitled to in their agreements. If you are interested in a business career that requires negotiation and organization skills, you may want to consider studying contract administrators. In this article, we define what contract administrators are, review their typical responsibilities, and list the key skills and qualifications that contract administrators apply in their job.
Who is a contract administrator?
A contract administrator is a business management professional who oversees the creation, negotiation, signing, and enforcement of contracts. Companies hire contract administrators when their business model involves working with a significant number of suppliers and other businesses. They monitor and update agreements between businesses, which helps organizations prevent conflict and meet commitments. Because large businesses in many industries often face these administrative challenges, contract administrators can work in a wide variety of sectors.
What does a contract administrator do?
Here are a few responsibilities that contract administrators handle:
Windows programs, mobile applications, games – EVERYTHING is FREE, in our closed telegram channel – Subscribe 🙂
Contract preparation
Each contract includes both standard and and unique components. Contract administrators make up the standard clauses that appear in most of the company’s agreements. They also create tailor-made conditions that take into account unique business conditions or projects. They then prepare the contract to make sure it meets each company’s requirements and present it in plain language so that each party fully understands the document.
Contract administrators also ensure that all agreements comply with relevant regulations and industry standards. Once the contract administrator has presented the document to each party, they may make adjustments based on changes in the company’s budget or other constraints that may affect the size or scope of the agreement.
Related**: [Everything You Need To Know About Cost-Plus Contracts**](career-advice/career-development/cost-plus-contract)
Internal Process Management
Companies often require different employees to provide input, review and approve contracts. Contract administrators facilitate these review and approval processes by acting as a central point of contact who can resolve any issues employees have. If a contract has legal significance, contract administrators consult with legal teams to manage risk and limit liability. As the contract approaches its final version, the contract administrators communicate updates to all internal stakeholders.
Acting as a Liaison
Negotiating a contract with an outside party, such as another business or supplier, requires someone to act as an intermediary on each party’s behalf. Contract administrators act as representatives of their companies, communicating priorities and wishes and listening to the other side’s point of view. They then report any outstanding issues to executives, who can either agree to updated terms or keep their positions. As intermediaries, contract administrators ask and answer questions about clauses and learn about factors that affect pricing or terms that a third party presents during negotiations.
Control and compliance with contracts
Once all relevant parties sign an agreement, contract administrators monitor projects to ensure that other parties comply with all agreed terms. If contract administrators identify a problem, they contact the appropriate party to resolve it. If a dispute arises, contract administrators help their company’s management to sort it out by answering questions about what the contract guarantees and how to resolve the dispute. Compliance with contracts allows businesses to stick to a budget and prevent risks.
Contract Administrator Skills
Here are some of the key skills that contract administrators use on a daily basis in their work:
Communication Skills
Communication skills enable a contract administrator to work with other members of his organization and represent their wants and needs. Skills such as active listening and detailed questioning can help contract administrators as they gather key data to add to contracts. Written and verbal communication skills help contract administrators explain contracts to their employers, which can ensure that a company fully understands agreements before signing.
Negotiation skills
Negotiation skills are the key to helping two or more parties reach an agreement that is in their best interest. Contract administrators can be assertive in establishing rapport and cooperating with external parties. They can find solutions to potential disputes by negotiating the most profitable and least risky version of the contract. Contract administrators often identify important issues prior to contract negotiation, allowing them to efficiently prepare agreements and reduce the time they spend negotiating a contract with each party.
Organizational Skills
Contract administrators prepare complex and evolving documents and they depend on the cooperation and cooperation of several colleagues for each contract. Their organizational skills help them develop processes that minimize errors and produce reliable results. They delegate tasks for maximum efficiency, make decisions that affect the final terms of the agreement, and participate in strategic planning to align contracts with the long-term goals of their organizations.
Analytical skills
Analytical skills ensure that contract administrators fully understand the meaning of each contract they oversee. Their attention to detail ensures that they study each item and determine how it could affect their companies. Their interpretation and critical thinking skills help them evaluate various types of data that often involve contracts, such as technical language, quantitative information, and legal terminology. They also use analytical skills to determine budgets, terms and conditions that their employers can accept or offer during negotiations.
Contract Administrator Qualifications
Some of the qualifications that employers consider when hiring a contract administrator are:
Education
, business administration, organizational management or personnel management. Candidates with a master’s degree in business administration may be more likely to get opportunities as they offer experience based on additional years of study. However, since companies from different industries often negotiate for specialized subjects, they may also pursue candidates with relevant academic backgrounds. For example, some organizations may need a contract administrator who studies law to help them navigate legally sensitive transactions.
Experience
Before becoming contract administrators, professionals in this career typically work in entry-level administrative positions, learning business and negotiation techniques that support their employer’s business model. They need to learn how the content of the contracts affects the rest of the business before they can be held accountable for finalizing the key details that can determine the success of a project or company. Employers may look for candidates with extensive experience in a particular industry if the company’s contracts usually contain special concepts or legal issues.
Training
In addition to academic and work experience, contract administrators can receive additional training through certification. The National Contract Management Association provides four different powers that are used by many professionals in the field. Each requires a different mix of college, work experience, and continuing education hours. If candidates are eligible, they pay an application and exam fee and take an in-person or online supervised exam. The association offers the following certificates:
-
Certified Contract Management Specialist: Eligible candidates have either a bachelor’s degree or one year of work experience combined with over 40 hours of continuing education.
-
Certified Commercial Contract Manager and Certified Federal Contract Manager: Candidates eligible for either of these documents have a bachelor’s degree, more than two years of work experience, and more than 80 hours of continuing education.
-
Certified Professional Contract Manager: Eligible candidates have a bachelor’s degree, over five years of work experience and over 120 hours of continuing education.