Senior Contract Manager Jobs in Illinois
Senior Contract Manager jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the state ranking among the more active Midwest markets for contract professionals across construction, healthcare, technology, and defense. Chicago anchors the bulk of hiring, with additional concentrations in Rockford and Peoria, where manufacturers and infrastructure firms anchor steady pipelines. Well-established employers such as Caterpillar, Boeing, and Advocate Health Care maintain ongoing needs for senior contract managers with expertise in procurement, subcontract administration, and government contracting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Senior Contract Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 15+ Senior Contract Manager jobs











POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Contract Compliance Specialist under direct supervision of Manager or designate is responsible for the following: handling complex compliance audit tasks and related issues; providing training and technical assistance in-house and to external stakeholders when required; ensures that Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Davis-Bacon, and Section 3 compliance is adhered to on all CHA contracts; Apply leadership skills, critical thinking and problem solving in exercising the day-to-day activities as a subject matter expert and as a Senior project team member; and employ Senior level technical and organizational expertise on complex $20M plus new construction projects .
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conducts comprehensive analysis utilizing compliance monitoring systems (i.e., B2Gnow, LCPtracker, Financial Management System & Section 3 Hiring System) and physical records including contract documents, invoices, lien waivers/cancelled checks, sworn statements and CPRs.
- Preparation of various types of correspondence to CHA vendors, Housing Urban Development (HUD), Department of Labor (DOL), Inspector General's office, External Auditors, FOIA responses, CHA staff and other parties as appropriate.
- Report production including statistical findings on MBE/WBE/DBE utilization, Davis-Bacon adherence, and Section 3 contract requirements including any other economic opportunity provisions.
- Perform research, analytics and assist in the implementation of best practice opportunities. Determines and implements the appropriate course of action to ensure the required MBE/WBE/DBE, Section 3, and Davis Bacon fair labor standards are met on applicable CHA, local, state and federal levels.
- Perform vendor outreach activities communicating CHA's Compliance contract requirements and opportunities, procedures and processes. Participation activities may include but not be limited to vendor fairs, workshops, trainings and other Section 3 related enterprise assistance events.
- Work closely with DPC Buying Team in reviewing procurement documents to determine the proper language in the solicitation that supports CHA Section 3 and M/W/DBE participation goals.
- Assist DPC Management with special projects, reports, and participates in meetings and trainings as required.
- Work directly with MBE/WBE/DBEs, Section 3 Business Concerns and other stakeholders to develop reasonable corrective action plans to address compliance issues. When applicable prepares and submits recommendations to CHA management staff and project manager to withhold vendor payment due to compliance violations.
- Creates and maintains project files and other documentation and ensure files are properly stored on CHA network.
- Perform any and all other duties that may be required or assigned. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the Key Responsibilities if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position.
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a bachelor’s degree with a major in business, public administration, urban planning and policy, related applicable field of study or the equivalent combination of education and related management experience with a minimum of five (5) years' experience in, contract administration, construction site monitoring, Business Enterprise utilization monitoring, program auditing and progressive project management.
The following additional experience is considered a plus in any of the following areas: Supply Chain Diversity, a construction background on $20M plus projects; or working with federal, state, local agencies.
Demonstrated knowledge of the federally mandated Davis-Bacon Act and related laws, prevailing wage laws, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 3 requirement to employ low and very low-income Chicago area residents, M/W/DBE requirements, and general contracting procedures.
Skilled in performing audit reviews, methodology and practices. Demonstrated ability in critical thinking problem solving, analytical, planning, and organizing. Requires effective verbal, business writing and inter-personal skills to work with a diverse staff of managerial and professional employees. The ability to exercise objective judgment, discretion, maintain confidentiality, and work on multiple projects simultaneously is required.
Demonstrate advanced proficiency in MS Office applications. Emphasis on advanced Excel skills which must include the ability to produce graphs, build charts and tables, use spreadsheets efficiently, perform calculations, formulas, functions and automation to process large volumes of data.
Strong technical skill in Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency including advanced features like animations, custom templates and data visualization. Experience in embedding videos, images and other elements into presentations.
BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE
- Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package
- Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO) Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Parking Transit
- Prepaid Legal Services
- Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
- Identity Theft Protection
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
- Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
- Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
- Hybrid work schedule (position specific) This position may be eligible for remote work following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.
"Applications will be accepted for 30 days from the date of posting. However, the position may be closed at any point if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.”
Salary: $85,000
Grade: S8
FLSA: Exempt
Union: None
See All 15 Senior Contract Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Contract Manager JobsSenior Contract Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Contract Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior contract manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, law, or a related field required
- Five or more years of contract administration or procurement management experience
- Demonstrated experience with FAR or state procurement regulations in Illinois markets
- Proficiency in contract lifecycle management software such as Ariba or Coupa
- Strong negotiation skills and experience managing high-value or multi-party agreements
- NCMA Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) designation preferred by many Illinois employers
Senior Contract Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior contract manager in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, law, or a closely related field, combined with several years of progressively responsible contract administration work. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role. Earning the National Contract Management Association's Certified Professional Contracts Manager credential significantly strengthens candidacy, particularly for government and defense contractors concentrated in the Chicago metro and downstate manufacturing corridor.
How much do senior contract managers make in Illinois?
Senior contract managers in Illinois earn a median of about $103,470 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,300 for the lowest 10% to over $163,910 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior contract managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring senior contract managers in Illinois right now include AMS, CSL, and GGP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, large healthcare systems, and defense suppliers creates consistent demand across multiple industries throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most senior contract manager jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Oak Brook have the most senior contract manager openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its concentration of corporate headquarters, hospital systems, and federal contractors, while Peoria and Rockford draw demand from major manufacturers and infrastructure companies that maintain large procurement and subcontracting operations in those metros.
Are there remote senior contract manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since senior contract manager work is largely document- and negotiation-driven rather than site-dependent. About 86% of senior contract manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Contract review, vendor negotiations, and compliance oversight are the functions most commonly handled fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a senior contract manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a contract administrator or procurement coordinator role, which large Illinois employers such as Caterpillar, Rush University Medical Center, and state agencies under the Illinois Department of Central Management Services use as a pipeline into senior positions. Pursuing the NCMA's Certified Commercial Contracts Manager credential early signals commitment. Lateral moves from project management, paralegal, or supply chain analyst roles are common stepping stones recognized by Illinois hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to senior contract manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to senior contract manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 15 Senior Contract Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Contract Manager Jobs