Contract Specialist Jobs
Contract Specialist jobs are open across federal government, defense, healthcare, and construction, at every level from entry-level to senior and supervisory, with specializations in procurement, acquisition, and vendor management. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Associate Contracts Manager will report into the Research Contracts Group organization within Research. The Associate Contracts Manager works under supervision of a manager to process/complete a high volume of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) (up to 400/year). The Associate Contracts Manager will communicate with Research scientists, leadership, internal legal counsel, outside technology transfer offices, academic scientists, and internal shipping/material supply teams under supervision of the manager.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Process entire lifecycle for the Outgoing MTA Program, with an active queue of 70-110 MTAs at any one time.
- Ability to interact and articulate salient points and status of MTAs to internal stakeholders, leadership, Legal, outside technology transfer offices and academic scientists.
- Proactively manage, prioritize, and resolve a high influx of daily email correspondence. This role requires an exceptional ability to maintain rapid response times without sacrificing accuracy or professional tone.
- Required understanding of scientific nomenclature, including lab reagents and genetically modified animal models and relevant associated terms eg. antibodies, plasmids, DNA, genetically modified mice, progeny, derivatives, etc.
- Basic understanding of legal agreement structure and concepts eg. amendments, obligations, parties, etc.
- Organizes and processes signatures for Outgoing Material Transfer Agreements following approved procedures.
- Handles post execution tasks to complete agreements, including sending fully executed agreements to counterparty, filing agreements with Legal Records, completing data records in databases, initiating shipments, including organizing necessary import/export paperwork, and addressing any shipping issues.
- Tracks status and accurately maintains records in “real time” in MTA Database, including proper identification of party names, effective date and expiration date.
- General administrative responsibilities are required, including: Filing agreements with Legal Records; Coordinating meetings; Data entry in the MTA Database.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific discipline; legal experience or education a plus.
- Preferred 2-4 years relevant work experience.
- Preferred work experience in a pharmaceutical, biotech and/or university setting.
- Experience drafting and managing agreements.
- Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be able to follow existing processes to solve problems in addition to independently proposing solutions.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent time management, prioritization and organizational skills.
- Detail oriented, team player attitude, high work ethic, and reliable.
- Comfortable working with databases and enterprise business systems.
- Comfortable with standard office suites such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Applications (Mail, Calendar, Documents, etc.).
- Demonstrated Critical Thinking Skills: Must be able to use independent thinking to solve problems and propose solutions independently, even if they moderately deviate from protocols and guidance.
WORKING MODEL
Hybrid (three days a week on-site, two remote)
WORKING DAYS AND HOURS
Monday through Friday (8 hour shifts)
INTERVIEW FORMAT
Two Rounds (1 - Hiring Manager; 2 - Next Level Manager - 45 minutes - virtual)
INTRODUCTION
The Associate Contracts Manager will report into the Research Contracts Group organization within Research. The Associate Contracts Manager works under supervision of a manager to process/complete a high volume of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) (up to 400/year). The Associate Contracts Manager will communicate with Research scientists, leadership, internal legal counsel, outside technology transfer offices, academic scientists, and internal shipping/material supply teams under supervision of the manager.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Process entire lifecycle for the Outgoing MTA Program, with an active queue of 70-110 MTAs at any one time.
- Ability to interact and articulate salient points and status of MTAs to internal stakeholders, leadership, Legal, outside technology transfer offices and academic scientists.
- Proactively manage, prioritize, and resolve a high influx of daily email correspondence. This role requires an exceptional ability to maintain rapid response times without sacrificing accuracy or professional tone.
- Required understanding of scientific nomenclature, including lab reagents and genetically modified animal models and relevant associated terms eg. antibodies, plasmids, DNA, genetically modified mice, progeny, derivatives, etc.
- Basic understanding of legal agreement structure and concepts eg. amendments, obligations, parties, etc.
- Organizes and processes signatures for Outgoing Material Transfer Agreements following approved procedures.
- Handles post execution tasks to complete agreements, including sending fully executed agreements to counterparty, filing agreements with Legal Records, completing data records in databases, initiating shipments, including organizing necessary import/export paperwork, and addressing any shipping issues.
- Tracks status and accurately maintains records in “real time” in MTA Database, including proper identification of party names, effective date and expiration date.
- General administrative responsibilities are required, including: Filing agreements with Legal Records; Coordinating meetings; Data entry in the MTA Database.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific discipline; legal experience or education a plus.
- Preferred 2-4 years relevant work experience.
- Preferred work experience in a pharmaceutical, biotech and/or university setting.
- Experience drafting and managing agreements.
- Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be able to follow existing processes to solve problems in addition to independently proposing solutions.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent time management, prioritization and organizational skills.
- Detail oriented, team player attitude, high work ethic, and reliable.
- Comfortable working with databases and enterprise business systems.
- Comfortable with standard office suites such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Applications (Mail, Calendar, Documents, etc.).
- Demonstrated Critical Thinking Skills: Must be able to use independent thinking to solve problems and propose solutions independently, even if they moderately deviate from protocols and guidance.
WORKING MODEL
Hybrid (three days a week on-site, two remote)
WORKING DAYS AND HOURS
Monday through Friday (8 hour shifts)
INTERVIEW FORMAT
Two Rounds (1 - Hiring Manager; 2 - Next Level Manager - 45 minutes - virtual)
Contract Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Contract Specialist JobsContract Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Anew Solutions19
- Planate Management15
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission10
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals9
- Stafford Consulting8
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services15
- Healthcare & Medical Services12
- Technology & Software9
- Government & Public Sector6
- Science & Research5
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in contract specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, finance, or a related field
- Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and contract administration principles
- Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and procurement documents
- Proficiency with procurement or contract management software such as SAP, Deltek, or FPDS
- Professional certification such as CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, or FAC-C preferred
- Strong written communication skills for preparing statements of work and contract modifications
Tips for Your Contract Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to FAR
Contract specialists in federal and defense roles are expected to know the Federal Acquisition Regulation inside and out. Call out specific FAR parts you've applied, not just that you're 'familiar' with federal procurement rules. Vague claims get screened out fast.
Lead with contract dollar values
Hiring managers want to see the scale of contracts you've managed. State the total contract value or portfolio size in your resume bullets. A line like 'administered 14 service contracts totaling over a defined dollar threshold' lands better than a duties list.
Target openings by contract type
Job listings for contract specialists often specify fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, or IDIQ contracts. Match your application materials to the contract types named in the posting. Showing fluency with the specific vehicle type signals you won't need ramp-up time.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists contract specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing. Getting your application in early matters most for roles with defined competitive windows.
Prepare for scenario-based questions
Interviewers routinely ask how you handled a non-compliant vendor, a scope change, or a sole-source justification. Map two or three real situations from your experience to these scenarios before your interview so your answers are specific and structured, not improvised.
Negotiate using market-level data
Before discussing compensation, check Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for your occupation and region. Government and contractor roles often have defined pay bands, so knowing where an offer sits within the published scale gives you a factual basis for any negotiation.
Contract Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most contract specialists?
The companies hiring the most contract specialists right now include Anew Solutions, Planate Management, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission, with the largest share of openings in Texas, California, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Federal contractors and defense agencies consistently drive the highest volume of openings nationwide.
How many contract specialist jobs are remote?
About 65% of contract specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with remote work most common in commercial procurement and vendor management roles rather than positions that require handling classified documents or on-site contract oversight for government or construction clients.
How do you become a contract specialist?
Earn a bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain, finance, or a closely related field. Build foundational knowledge of procurement principles and contract types, then pursue entry-level roles in purchasing or contract administration to gain hands-on exposure. Earning a certification such as CFCM or FAC-C significantly strengthens your candidacy for government and defense positions.
Can you get a contract specialist job with little experience?
Yes, entry-level contract specialist roles exist, particularly in federal agencies and large defense contractors that have structured junior acquisition programs. Internships in purchasing or procurement, coursework in contract law or supply chain, and familiarity with FAR fundamentals can offset limited direct experience. Certifications like FAC-C Level I are designed specifically for candidates early in their contracting careers.
What does the contract specialist interview process look like?
Most processes start with a phone screen focused on your procurement background and familiarity with contract types. A technical or panel interview follows, where interviewers present scenario-based questions around compliance issues, vendor disputes, or sole-source justifications. Federal roles often include a structured behavior-based interview tied to competencies outlined in the position description, with a conditional offer pending background clearance.
Where can I find and apply to contract specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to contract specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, specialization, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 606+ Contract Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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