Contract Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Contract Specialist jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, concentrated in government procurement, defense contracting, healthcare systems, and higher education, with openings at every level from entry-level contract administrator to senior procurement officer. Chicago anchors the market, but significant hiring also runs through Springfield and Rockford, where agencies, universities, and industrial manufacturers have deep contract management needs. Employers with a lasting Illinois presence that consistently hire for these roles include the University of Chicago, Caterpillar, and Advocate Health. The most in-demand specialties are federal procurement, healthcare contracting, and IT services agreements. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Contract Specialist jobs
Contract Specialist:
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including without limitation:
- Reviewing contracts per the Company’s playbooks
- Tagging contract provisions and tracking review status using the Company’s contract management system, Agiloft
- Coordinating the review of subject matter experts when needed
- Working with the commercial team to ensure any identified areas of risk are appropriately addressed
- Working with other members in the legal department and other contract stakeholders to resolve issues in the applicable contract
- Assist with creating and updating contract templates and playbooks
- Perform other related and administrative duties as required or requested
- Minimum undergraduate degree in business, law, or relevant field
- 3-5 years of experience reviewing contracts, preferably a mix of law-firm experience and in-house experience
- Demonstrable skill in negotiating and understanding contract provisions and risk allocation
- Culture fit is an essential requirement. We will favor candidates who are not only open minded, but who embrace innovative approaches to the delivery of legal services
- Effective verbal and written communication and presentation styles to interact with diverse audiences, including external customers, senior management, company and outside attorneys and business associates
- Ability to operate within a matrixed management environment
- Ability to multi-task and work effectively and efficiently to meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Strong work ethic with the initiative to work independently
- High level of integrity supported by sound judgment and ethics
- Non-legal business or other “real world” experience
- Utilization of contract management system, like Agiloft
- The salary range is $73,000 - $80,000. This role is also eligible for incentive pay.
- The specific salary offered to a candidate may be motivated by a variety of factors including the candidate’s meaningful experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.
- Available employee benefits include health, vision, and dental. We also provide 401k matching for retirement and flexible time off.
- Strong work/life flexibility
- To be surrounded by an inclusive team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
- To be rewarded for your contributions with a targeted annual company bonus and annual salary reviews
- Competitive pay and benefits
Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives from life-saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more. Our global team of more than 9,500 employees support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!
Contract Specialist:
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including without limitation:
- Reviewing contracts per the Company’s playbooks
- Tagging contract provisions and tracking review status using the Company’s contract management system, Agiloft
- Coordinating the review of subject matter experts when needed
- Working with the commercial team to ensure any identified areas of risk are appropriately addressed
- Working with other members in the legal department and other contract stakeholders to resolve issues in the applicable contract
- Assist with creating and updating contract templates and playbooks
- Perform other related and administrative duties as required or requested
- Minimum undergraduate degree in business, law, or relevant field
- 3-5 years of experience reviewing contracts, preferably a mix of law-firm experience and in-house experience
- Demonstrable skill in negotiating and understanding contract provisions and risk allocation
- Culture fit is an essential requirement. We will favor candidates who are not only open minded, but who embrace innovative approaches to the delivery of legal services
- Effective verbal and written communication and presentation styles to interact with diverse audiences, including external customers, senior management, company and outside attorneys and business associates
- Ability to operate within a matrixed management environment
- Ability to multi-task and work effectively and efficiently to meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Strong work ethic with the initiative to work independently
- High level of integrity supported by sound judgment and ethics
- Non-legal business or other “real world” experience
- Utilization of contract management system, like Agiloft
- The salary range is $73,000 - $80,000. This role is also eligible for incentive pay.
- The specific salary offered to a candidate may be motivated by a variety of factors including the candidate’s meaningful experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.
- Available employee benefits include health, vision, and dental. We also provide 401k matching for retirement and flexible time off.
- Strong work/life flexibility
- To be surrounded by an inclusive team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
- To be rewarded for your contributions with a targeted annual company bonus and annual salary reviews
- Competitive pay and benefits
Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives from life-saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more. Our global team of more than 9,500 employees support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!
See All 13 Contract Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Contract Specialist JobsContract Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Contract Specialist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in contract specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or a related field
- Certified Federal Contracts Manager or Certified Professional Contracts Manager credential preferred
- Three or more years of experience drafting, reviewing, and administering contracts
- Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation or Illinois Procurement Code
- Demonstrated ability to manage vendor negotiations and supplier performance agreements
- Proficiency with contract lifecycle management software such as Ariba, Coupa, or Jaggaer
Contract Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a contract specialist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, law, or public administration as the baseline for entry into the field. Illinois does not issue a state-specific license for contract specialists, but the National Contract Management Association's Certified Professional Contracts Manager credential is widely recognized by Illinois government agencies and private employers alike. Candidates pursuing federal procurement roles with Illinois-based agencies should also review Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance requirements early in their career path.
Which companies hire contract specialists in Illinois?
Employers hiring contract specialists in Illinois right now include EMCOR, Rippling, and The Sound, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of federal agencies, major hospital networks, and Fortune 500 headquarters in the Chicago metro makes it one of the more active contract management markets in the Midwest.
Which Illinois cities have the most contract specialist jobs?
Chicago, Elgin, and Marion have the most contract specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the bulk of demand through its dense cluster of corporate headquarters, federal agency offices, and large healthcare systems, while Springfield generates steady government procurement roles tied to state agency contracts, and Rockford adds industrial and manufacturing procurement volume from its established manufacturing base.
Are there remote contract specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many comparable professional roles. About 60% of contract specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves document review, negotiation correspondence, and system-based contract tracking that does not require a fixed on-site presence. Contract administration tied to physical operations or government facility access tends to remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a contract specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a contract administrator or procurement analyst role at an Illinois state agency or large institution, where structured mentorship and defined processes make it easier to build foundational skills. Illinois state agencies frequently post entry-level procurement positions through official state hiring portals, and institutions like the University of Illinois system and Advocate Health run internship and rotational programs that welcome candidates without direct contracting experience. Lateral moves from roles in legal support, project coordination, or purchasing give candidates a strong starting point, and beginning study toward a Certified Professional Contracts Manager designation signals commitment to hiring managers early.
Where can I find and apply to contract specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to contract specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries including government procurement, healthcare, defense, and corporate legal. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly from each listing.
See All 13 Contract Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Contract Specialist Jobs