Principal Contracts Administrator

Job Summary

The Principal Contract Administrator is a mid-level position that operates under the direction of a Senior Manager or Director of Contracts. This role is responsible for activities required to develop, negotiate, administer, and close out contracts and subcontracts for various products and services. The administrator supports the full lifecycle of contractual engagements—from proposal development through product or service delivery and final closeout—ensuring compliance with company policies, legal requirements, customer specifications, and applicable regulations.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Proposal Development

• Support the creation, coordination, and submission of proposals in response to customer requirements.
• Ensure proposals align with company policy, commercial standards, and regulatory guidance.
• Apply judgment to interpret customer requirements and identify potential contractual risks during proposal preparation.

Contract Negotiation

• Participate in negotiations with customers and subcontractors.
• Provide interpretation and clarification of contract terms and conditions.
• Protect company interests while maintaining positive customer relationships.
• Identify areas requiring negotiation escalation and recommend alternative approaches based on risk assessment.

Contract Administration

• Manage and maintain active contracts and subcontracts throughout their lifecycles.
• Monitor performance against contract requirements and obligations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely fulfillment of deliverables.
• Independently resolve contract-related issues by analyzing root causes and coordinating corrective actions.

Customer Contact and Communication

• Serve as a primary point of contact for contract-related communications.
• Support customer engagement throughout execution, modification, and closeout activities.
• Explain complex contractual concepts clearly to both internal stakeholders and customers.

Compliance and Performance Monitoring

• Interpret contract terms and conditions and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Track obligations, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure proper contract fulfillment.
• Identify and elevate potential performance, compliance, or risk issues.
• Recommend mitigation actions and process improvements when recurring issues are identified.

Contract Closeout

• Ensure all administrative, financial, and compliance elements are finalized at contract completion.
• Coordinate closeout documentation and reconciliation activities.
• Identify lessons learned and propose updates to templates or processes, as appropriate.

Knowledge, Education, Licenses, Certifications, and Prior Experience

• A bachelor's degree in business administration is preferred. An additional four years of experience may be substituted.
• Six or more years of related experience, including two to three years of international contract negotiation and administration experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for customer interactions and internal coordination.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex contract terms, conditions, and regulatory requirements.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to track obligations, deadlines, and documentation.
• Ability to participate in negotiations and communicate company positions clearly.
• Proficiency in preparing and reviewing proposals, modifications, and compliance documents.
• Ability to identify risk areas, recommend mitigation actions, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Competence in managing multiple contracts simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including program management, legal, finance, engineering, and supply chain.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to support the resolution of contract performance and compliance issues.
• Ability to maintain positive customer relationships and represent the company professionally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with contract management tools or ERP systems.
• Ability to uphold ethical standards and ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and company policies.

Travel and Physical Requirements

• Occasional travel may be required for training or periodic onsite meetings; otherwise, travel is minimal.
• The role involves primarily sedentary work in an office or workstation environment, including extended periods of computer use.

• Ability to identify risk areas, recommend mitigation actions, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Competence in managing multiple contracts simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including program management, legal, finance, engineering, and supply chain.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to support the resolution of contract performance and compliance issues.
• Ability to maintain positive customer relationships and represent the company professionally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with contract management tools or ERP systems.
• Ability to uphold ethical standards and ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and company policies.

Travel/Physical Requirements

• Occasional travel may be required for training or periodic onsite meetings; otherwise, travel is minimal.
• The role involves primarily sedentary work in an office or workstation environment, including extended periods of computer use.