Contract Administrator Jobs for OPT Students
Contract Administrator jobs on OPT require employers to handle subcontractual documentation, compliance tracking, and procurement oversight, all areas where F-1 students bring strong analytical training. Your OPT period gives you 12 months of authorized work, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree qualifies.
See All Contract Administrator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 3,623+ Contract Administrator jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 3,623+ Contract Administrator jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Contract Administrator roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Contracts Administrator is responsible for managing the contract lifecycle, ensuring company processes are followed, liaising with external legal counsel, maintaining accurate contract records and templates, and supporting internal stakeholders through streamlined contract processes and training.
What We'll Bring to the Table:
- Friendly, dynamic work environment – Includes certification as a Great Place to Work ® (five years in a row!) along with Climate Neutral Status
- Competitive salary
- Flexible Work Program
- Clear opportunities for career progression
- Company-funded professional educational program
- Visible management commitment to our company core values of: Diversity & Inclusion, Environmental, Community and Employee Wellbeing, Excellent Work Product, Innovation, Integrity and Superior Customer Experience
Generous benefits including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-paid life insurance
- 401K with matching Company contributions
- PTO
- Community Support Program including VTO and donations with Company match
- Employee Recognition Program
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading and optimizing the full contract lifecycle, driving precise and efficient execution of client contracts in compliance with company policies.
- Coordinating internal and external reviews and approvals to advance agreements to execution, tracking agreement status, outstanding items, and responses to support timely completion
- Serving as the primary liaison with external legal counsel regarding client contracts
- Overseeing version control, draft circulations, and redlining throughout the contract negotiation process; identifying non-standard contractual terms and provisions and escalating concerns appropriately
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contract records within the internal contract management system, including monitoring expiration dates and keeping contracts current
- Managing and updating legal agreement templates and implementing efficient processes for contract review, approval, and execution
- Developing and maintaining training materials and resources related to internal contracting processes, providing annual training to internal stakeholders
- Reviewing and approving external legal counsel invoices, ensuring expenses are accurately allocated to the appropriate client or project
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of experience in contract administration, legal operations, or a related role
- Working knowledge of legal terminology, contract structures, and standard agreement provisions
- Ability to work independently with sound judgment, including recognizing when to escalate issues or seek guidance from management or legal counsel
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with a proven capacity to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of contracts effectively
- Excellent communication skills, engaging confidently and professionally with clients, executives, and legal professionals
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Word, including advanced use of track changes, comments, and document version control
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 a year
ABOUT PERR& KNIGHT
For over 30 years, Perr&Knight has provided exemplary insurance consulting and software solutions to the property & casualty and life, accident & health industries. Services include actuarial consulting, risk strategies & solutions, applied AI consulting, product development, insurance policy and forms consulting, regulatory compliance, compliance and operational assessments/training, state filings, licensing, technology consulting, statistical reporting, data services, predictive analytics, and bureau monitoring & maintenance. Software includes StateFilings.com, the leading cloud-based state filings management solution. With offices nationwide and more than 150 insurance professionals, including 30+ credentialed actuaries, Perr&Knight is among the largest independent actuarial and insurance consulting firms in the United States. Our mission as an actuarial and insurance operations consulting firm is to provide extraordinary value to our clients by offering innovative and unique solutions to complex challenges, they face while providing a positive and motivating work environment for our employees that respects diversity and recognizes ingenuity and hard work.
Perr&Knight is an equal opportunity employer and committed to inclusion and diversity. Perr&Knight does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Perr&Knight will also provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email accommodations@perrknight.com.
INTRODUCTION
The Contracts Administrator is responsible for managing the contract lifecycle, ensuring company processes are followed, liaising with external legal counsel, maintaining accurate contract records and templates, and supporting internal stakeholders through streamlined contract processes and training.
What We'll Bring to the Table:
- Friendly, dynamic work environment – Includes certification as a Great Place to Work ® (five years in a row!) along with Climate Neutral Status
- Competitive salary
- Flexible Work Program
- Clear opportunities for career progression
- Company-funded professional educational program
- Visible management commitment to our company core values of: Diversity & Inclusion, Environmental, Community and Employee Wellbeing, Excellent Work Product, Innovation, Integrity and Superior Customer Experience
Generous benefits including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-paid life insurance
- 401K with matching Company contributions
- PTO
- Community Support Program including VTO and donations with Company match
- Employee Recognition Program
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading and optimizing the full contract lifecycle, driving precise and efficient execution of client contracts in compliance with company policies.
- Coordinating internal and external reviews and approvals to advance agreements to execution, tracking agreement status, outstanding items, and responses to support timely completion
- Serving as the primary liaison with external legal counsel regarding client contracts
- Overseeing version control, draft circulations, and redlining throughout the contract negotiation process; identifying non-standard contractual terms and provisions and escalating concerns appropriately
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contract records within the internal contract management system, including monitoring expiration dates and keeping contracts current
- Managing and updating legal agreement templates and implementing efficient processes for contract review, approval, and execution
- Developing and maintaining training materials and resources related to internal contracting processes, providing annual training to internal stakeholders
- Reviewing and approving external legal counsel invoices, ensuring expenses are accurately allocated to the appropriate client or project
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of experience in contract administration, legal operations, or a related role
- Working knowledge of legal terminology, contract structures, and standard agreement provisions
- Ability to work independently with sound judgment, including recognizing when to escalate issues or seek guidance from management or legal counsel
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with a proven capacity to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of contracts effectively
- Excellent communication skills, engaging confidently and professionally with clients, executives, and legal professionals
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Word, including advanced use of track changes, comments, and document version control
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 a year
ABOUT PERR& KNIGHT
For over 30 years, Perr&Knight has provided exemplary insurance consulting and software solutions to the property & casualty and life, accident & health industries. Services include actuarial consulting, risk strategies & solutions, applied AI consulting, product development, insurance policy and forms consulting, regulatory compliance, compliance and operational assessments/training, state filings, licensing, technology consulting, statistical reporting, data services, predictive analytics, and bureau monitoring & maintenance. Software includes StateFilings.com, the leading cloud-based state filings management solution. With offices nationwide and more than 150 insurance professionals, including 30+ credentialed actuaries, Perr&Knight is among the largest independent actuarial and insurance consulting firms in the United States. Our mission as an actuarial and insurance operations consulting firm is to provide extraordinary value to our clients by offering innovative and unique solutions to complex challenges, they face while providing a positive and motivating work environment for our employees that respects diversity and recognizes ingenuity and hard work.
Perr&Knight is an equal opportunity employer and committed to inclusion and diversity. Perr&Knight does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Perr&Knight will also provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email accommodations@perrknight.com.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Contract Administrator
Target industries with high contract volume
Defense contractors, construction firms, healthcare systems, and technology companies manage large contract portfolios and hire Contract Administrators regularly. These sectors also have stronger institutional familiarity with OPT work authorization, reducing friction during the hiring process.
Highlight your degree's relevance clearly
Contract Administrator roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT when tied to a business, law, supply chain, or engineering degree. Make the connection explicit on your resume, vague degree descriptions give hiring managers reason to hesitate on sponsorship conversations.
Address OPT proactively in applications
Many employers assume international candidates require immediate H-1B sponsorship. Clarify upfront that OPT provides immediate, employer-sponsored-free authorization for up to three years, removing the cost and lottery risk from their near-term hiring decision.
Build contract management tool proficiency
Proficiency in Ariba, Coupa, Salesforce CPQ, or DocuSign contract management platforms strengthens your candidacy significantly. Employers sponsoring OPT students want to see job-ready skills that justify the administrative overhead of supporting your work authorization.
Pursue relevant certifications before applying
Certifications like the Certified Federal Contracts Manager or CPCM from NCMA signal professional seriousness to employers. Candidates with credentials are consistently viewed as lower-risk hires, which matters when an employer is also navigating OPT paperwork for the first time.
Prepare a clear OPT timeline for interviews
Know your OPT start date, end date, and STEM extension eligibility before any interview. Employers appreciate candidates who can answer authorization questions confidently and accurately, rather than those who seem uncertain about their own work authorization status.
Contract Administrator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Contract Administrator JobsSee all 3,623+ Contract Administrator jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Contract Administrator roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Contract Administrator jobs typically support OPT work authorization?
Many do, particularly in defense, technology, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors where contract management is a core business function. Contract Administrator roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, law, or a related field. Browse OPT-eligible Contract Administrator listings on Migrate Mate to find employers already open to F-1 students.
Does a Contract Administrator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree. If you graduated with a STEM-designated degree, such as a bachelor's in management information systems, industrial engineering, or supply chain management, and your Contract Administrator role applies those technical skills, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. A business administration or legal studies degree typically would not qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
What degree backgrounds are most relevant for Contract Administrator roles on OPT?
Business administration, supply chain management, construction management, industrial engineering, and paralegal or legal studies degrees all map well to Contract Administrator responsibilities. The connection between your field of study and the role's core duties, drafting agreements, managing compliance, overseeing procurement, must be clear, since that alignment is what makes the position OPT-eligible as a specialty occupation.
How should I explain my OPT status to a Contract Administrator employer unfamiliar with F-1 visas?
Lead with what OPT means practically for them: you're already authorized to work in the U.S. without any petition or fee on their part, and that authorization lasts 12 months with a potential 24-month STEM extension. The employer's only obligation is to enroll in E-Verify if you pursue a STEM extension. Framing it as low-risk, immediate authorization rather than a complex immigration situation tends to move conversations forward more effectively.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B sponsorship?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before the April 1 regular filing deadline and you're in valid OPT status at that point, cap-gap protection automatically extends your OPT work authorization through October 1 of that year if selected in the lottery. This is a critical planning detail for Contract Administrators on OPT, your employment doesn't need to stop between OPT expiration and H-1B activation, provided your employer files on time.
See which Contract Administrator employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Contract Administrator Jobs