What Does a Contract Administrator Do?
A contract administrator is responsible for managing contracts from preparation through execution and closeout, ensuring all project agreements are accurate, legally compliant, and aligned with project goals. In construction, they serve as the link between project management, vendors, and legal departments to mitigate risk and control costs through effective contract oversight.
These professionals prepare, negotiate, and track contracts for subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants. They monitor deliverables, enforce compliance with terms, and help resolve disputes when necessary. Contract administrators are essential to ensuring that all parties meet their obligations and that documentation is handled correctly throughout the life of a construction project.
Looking to Hire a Contract Administrator?
Speak with one of our recruiting experts today.
Contract Administrator Core Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and administer project contracts, subcontracts, and vendor agreements
- Ensure contract terms meet legal, regulatory, and project-specific requirements
- Support procurement and bid processes by issuing RFQs and coordinating with vendors
- Track contract milestones, deliverables, and compliance metrics
- Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and finance to align contract scopes and budgets
- Prepare change orders and contract modifications as needed
- Maintain organized records of contract documentation and correspondence
- Identify potential contract risks and support issue resolution
- Serve as liaison between project teams and legal counsel
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Strong understanding of contract law and construction terminology
- Proficiency with contract management software and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to read and interpret legal documents, scopes of work, and project specs
- Familiarity with procurement processes and compliance standards
- Knowledge of lien waivers, insurance certificates, and bonding requirements
Soft skills
- High attention to detail and organizational ability
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving under deadline pressure
- Professionalism in handling confidential information
- Collaborative mindset with cross-functional teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, business administration, paralegal studies, or related field
- Associate’s degree with relevant experience may be considered
Certifications
- None required
Recommended certifications include Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) or Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) for candidates in high-compliance industries.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in contract administration, preferably in the construction or engineering sector
- Familiarity with AIA contract formats and construction-specific agreements
- Experience coordinating with legal counsel on complex or public contracts
- Exposure to ERP systems (e.g., Viewpoint, Procore, Oracle)
National Average Salary
Contract administrator salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Contract Administrator is:
$68,530
Sample Job Description Templates for Contract Administrators
Junior Contract Administrator
Position Overview
The junior contract administrator supports the preparation and tracking of construction-related contracts, assisting with documentation, compliance checks, and coordination between departments. This entry-level role is ideal for those starting their careers in construction administration or contract support.
Responsibilities
- Assist with preparing contract documents and bid packages
- Review contract templates and input project-specific information
- Track deadlines, deliverables, and insurance certificates
- File and organize digital and physical contract records
- Communicate with subcontractors and vendors for required documents
- Support preparation of change orders and contract modifications
- Verify documents meet internal formatting and compliance standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic understanding of contract terms and construction documents
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and document management systems
- Familiarity with RFIs, submittals, and lien releases
- Data entry and version tracking accuracy
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Willingness to learn and take initiative
- Communication with vendors and team members
- Time management and task organization
Education
- Associate degree in business administration, construction management, or related field
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of administrative or contract support experience
- Exposure to construction or engineering environments
Mid-Level Contract Administrator
Position Overview
The mid-level contract administrator independently manages a variety of contracts, ensuring compliance with project requirements, legal standards, and company policy. This role collaborates closely with project managers, procurement teams, and subcontractors to manage and monitor contract performance.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, review, and administer subcontracts, purchase agreements, and service contracts
- Track contract performance and ensure fulfillment of key terms
- Coordinate insurance, bonding, and lien release documentation
- Issue change orders and manage contract amendments
- Support bid coordination, RFP reviews, and vendor selection processes
- Maintain contract logs, audit trails, and supporting documentation
- Identify contract risks and escalate when necessary
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of construction contract formats and procurement policies
- Familiarity with AIA contracts and industry terminology
- Proficiency with contract management platforms and spreadsheets
- Ability to interpret scopes of work and match to contract terms
Soft skills
- Strong organization and multitasking
- Effective communication with vendors and internal departments
- Analytical thinking and documentation accuracy
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, business, or legal studies
Certifications
- None required
- CCA or CPCM recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of contract administration experience
- Background working with general contractors, architects, or engineers
Senior Contract Administrator
Position Overview
The senior contract administrator leads contract management efforts across major projects or portfolios, ensuring risk mitigation, legal compliance, and cost control. This role oversees high-value contracts and often supports internal policy development and negotiation.
Responsibilities
- Draft, negotiate, and administer complex subcontractor and vendor agreements
- Conduct contract reviews and provide guidance on risk exposure
- Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and insurance requirements
- Support legal counsel in claims, disputes, and contract clarifications
- Maintain contract workflows across departments and project phases
- Review and approve change orders and contract modifications
- Train junior staff and advise project managers on contract matters
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced understanding of contract law and construction contract structures
- Expertise with AIA documents, insurance certificates, bonding, and claims
- Ability to manage multiple high-value contracts concurrently
- Proficiency in ERP and contract lifecycle management tools
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and issue resolution
- Executive communication and contract negotiation skills
- Leadership in policy adherence and best practices
- Ability to mentor junior team members
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, business law, or a related field
Certifications
- Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years of contract administration experience in construction or engineering
- Experience supporting legal or compliance teams during audits or disputes
Lead Contract Administrator
Position Overview
The lead contract administrator oversees a team of contract professionals and manages contract strategy across projects, vendors, and departments. This role ensures standardized contract practices, supports complex negotiations, and liaises with leadership on contractual risk.
Responsibilities
- Lead contract administration across all active projects or business units
- Supervise junior and senior contract administrators
- Define and enforce company-wide contract management policies and standards
- Coordinate high-level contract negotiation and risk analysis
- Ensure regulatory and legal compliance across departments
- Act as primary liaison between legal, finance, and operations on contract matters
- Conduct internal training and process improvement initiatives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep knowledge of contract law and risk management
- Strong command of public and private contracting frameworks
- Experience with process standardization and contract policy enforcement
- Advanced Excel, ERP, and document workflow platform usage
Soft skills
- Cross-functional team leadership
- High-level business acumen and negotiation capability
- Strong communication with executive stakeholders
- Ability to drive change management across departments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or JD preferred
Certifications
- CPCM (required)
- CCA or PMP recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of contract administration experience with 3+ in leadership
- Background leading enterprise contract teams or project controls groups
Remote/Hybrid Contract Administrator
Position Overview
The remote/hybrid contract administrator manages contract documentation, compliance tracking, and vendor coordination using digital tools and asynchronous workflows. This role supports project teams from a distributed location while maintaining high contract accuracy and timeliness.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and maintain digital contracts and vendor documentation
- Collaborate virtually with PMs, legal, and procurement to review scopes and terms
- Monitor key contract dates and alert project teams to upcoming milestones
- Process change orders, addenda, and submittal approvals
- Ensure document version control and cloud storage compliance
- Coordinate e-signatures and legal approvals across remote stakeholders
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with contract software (e.g., DocuSign, Procore, Viewpoint)
- Familiarity with digital document management and compliance tracking
- Strong writing and formatting abilities for virtual contract communication
- Knowledge of digital procurement workflows
Soft skills
- Independent time management and prioritization
- Strong digital communication and collaboration
- Attention to detail across asynchronous tasks
- Adaptability in remote work environments
Education
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, construction, or legal studies
Certifications
- None required
- Remote work compliance or CPCM certification recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–5 years experience supporting construction contracts remotely
- Familiarity with hybrid team tools like Slack, Asana, or Microsoft Teams