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Contracts Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UAB NOVA RENT

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$57K - $94K/yr

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER The University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities: To provide pre-award and non-financial post-award guidance and processing of simple to complex research ...

Columbia University

Sr Officer-Contracts

New York, NY · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

CTV is advertising for two Senior Contracts Officers to work as part of our Contracts Team. Responsibilities Act as part of the Contracts Team to independently manage various agreement types from ...

UAB

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER

Tampa, FL · On-site

$57K - $94K/yr

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER The University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities: To provide pre-award and non-financial post-award guidance and processing of simple to complex research ...

UAB NOVA RENT

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$57K - $94K/yr

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER The University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities: To provide pre-award and non-financial post-award guidance and processing of simple to complex research ...

UAB

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER SENIOR

Tampa, FL · On-site

$63K - $103K/yr

GRANTS & CONTRACTS OFFICER SENIOR The University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities: To provide pre-award and non-financial post-award guidance and processing of simple to complex ...

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How much do contracts officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contracts officer in the United States is $77,308.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,500.00 and $83,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do contract jobs pay well?

Contracts Officer positions can offer competitive pay, often influenced by experience, industry, and contract length. Salaries for contract roles may be higher than permanent positions to compensate for job security and benefits, but this varies widely by sector and location.

What is the difference between Contracts Officer vs Contract Administrator?

AspectContracts OfficerContract Administrator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in law, business, or related field; certifications like Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) are commonOften holds a bachelor's degree; certifications like Certified Contract Management Professional (CCMP) are beneficial
Work EnvironmentWorks in legal, procurement, or project management departments within various industriesWorks mainly in procurement, legal, or project teams, focusing on contract execution and management
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across government, corporate, and non-profit sectors for high-level contract oversightCommon in corporate and government sectors for day-to-day contract administration

While both roles involve contract management, Contracts Officers focus on negotiating and drafting contracts, ensuring legal compliance, and managing high-level contractual relationships. Contract Administrators handle the execution, documentation, and day-to-day management of contracts. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are some common challenges Contracts Officers face when managing multiple contracts simultaneously?

Contracts Officers often juggle numerous contracts at different stages, which can present challenges such as maintaining attention to detail, tracking critical deadlines, and ensuring compliance with both organizational policies and legal requirements. Effective time management and clear communication with stakeholders are crucial to prevent oversights or misinterpretations. Additionally, Contracts Officers must quickly adapt to changes in project scopes or regulations, making strong organizational and problem-solving skills essential for success in this role.

What does a contract officer do?

A contracts officer manages the procurement process by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts to ensure compliance with legal and organizational standards. They coordinate with vendors, monitor contract performance, and maintain documentation, often using contract management software. Strong negotiation skills and knowledge of procurement regulations are essential for this role.

What is the 3 month rule for jobs?

The 3 month rule for contracts officers typically refers to a probationary period of three months during which an employee's performance and suitability for the role are evaluated. This period allows employers to assess skills, compliance with contract terms, and overall fit before confirming permanent employment or extending the contract. It is common for contracts to specify such probation periods to ensure clarity on employment status and expectations.

Is it hard to become a contracting officer?

Becoming a Contracts Officer typically requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience in procurement or contract management. Certification such as the Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) can enhance job prospects, and strong negotiation, attention to detail, and knowledge of regulations are essential skills for the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contracts Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contracts Officer, you need a strong understanding of contract law, negotiation, and procurement processes, often supported by a degree in business, law, or a related field. Familiarity with contract management software (such as SAP Ariba or Oracle), compliance systems, and sometimes certification like CPCM (Certified Professional Contracts Manager) is valuable. Attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing complex agreements and fostering stakeholder relationships. These skills ensure contracts are compliant, risks are minimized, and organizational interests are well-protected.

What Is the Job of a Contracts Officer?

A contracts officer plays a pivotal role in helping a company stay within its budget. In this career, you negotiate, prepare, and administer agreements on behalf of the business, ensuring that all contracts are in their best interest. Your responsibilities include evaluating and analyzing contracts and the financial information of the vendors and suppliers. You coordinate with other staff members to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. Your duties may also involve determining the company’s policies for managing these deals. You make sure that the contracts are in line with the accepted procedures and act as a point of contact in these business relationships to renew or terminate agreements as required.

What are Contracts Officers and what do they do?

Contracts Officers are professionals responsible for preparing, reviewing, and managing contracts on behalf of organizations. They ensure that all agreements comply with legal requirements and organizational policies, negotiate terms with vendors or clients, and monitor contract performance. Their work helps minimize legal risks and ensures that all parties fulfill their obligations under the contract. Contracts Officers often collaborate with legal teams, procurement, and project managers to support business operations.
More about Contracts Officer jobs
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Contracts Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contracts Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,308 per year, or $37.2 per hour.
Sponsored Projects Grants & Contracts Officer

Sponsored Projects Grants & Contracts Officer

University of Utah

Campus, IL • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

University Of Utah rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 158 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

362nd of 553 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Details
Open Date 06/30/2026 Requisition Number PRN45509B Job Title Sponsored Projects Grants & Contracts Officer Working Title Sponsored Projects Grants & Contracts Officer Career Progression Track F Track Level FLSA Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40.0 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary
Hybrid Work Schedule: Minimum of 16 hours (2 business days) a week in the office. Regular Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
VP Area President Department 00644 - Office of Sponsored Projects Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $70,000 to $85,000 Close Date 09/30/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary
The Contracts Officer will draft and negotiate agreements with extramural partners (industry, state and federal government, foundations and non-profits, etc.) in support of sponsored project activity at the University. This position supports: faculty in their efforts to secure and manage extramural support; the University to meet program objectives and legal, ethical, and financial requirements; and partnerships with sponsors. The position is also responsible for managing the sponsored project activity reporting process.
The value of being an employee at the University of Utah goes far beyond your base salary, so we encourage you to carefully consider and compare our total package offer. This package includes a variety of excellent employee benefits, including health care coverage, retirement plans, and paid leave time as well as other valuable benefits, services, and programs such as tuition reduction. One example is the U's retirement benefits which amount to a 14.2% contribution in addition to your annual salary. You may view the U's total compensation estimator to calculate the approximate value of your total compensation at www.hr.utah.edu/comp/totalcomp.php. If you have any questions on how to use the estimator tool, please contact Human Resources at 801-581-7447.
Responsibilities
  • Work with faculty, staff, and a variety of external sponsors to create contracts for sponsored project activity at the University. Contract types include collaborations, subcontracts, clinical research, research, service, testing, data and material use and transfer, confidentially, and other agreement types, including amendments.
  • Assists faculty and staff in preparation of contract proposals.
  • Reviews and interprets sponsoring agency policies, rules, and regulations.
  • Performs pre-negotiation fact-finding to support negotiations.
  • Review, interpret, draft and negotiate sponsored agreements.
  • Track and manage agreement workflow through signing.
  • Ensure contracts meet legal, ethical, and financial standards of the University.
  • Establish and implement a system to regularly review all agreements and current multi-year gift agreements to ensure programmatic, legal, ethical, and financial compliance, including reporting.
  • Facilitate the regular collection of information and metrics related to the contracting and sponsored project management process, including preparing and submitting reports, analyzing and preparing data of work performed, compile reports, and other tracking and reporting tasks as identified.
  • Respond to faculty, staff, and sponsor inquires.
  • Act as OSP liaison with the University's Office of General Counsel on legal matters pertaining to sponsored contract agreements.
  • Act as an OSP liaison with University leadership and other research administration and compliance offices.
  • Use information systems to track and manage sponsored agreements through the project lifecycle. Record preliminary, contract, and award information in the sponsored project infrastructure, including financial and other compliance systems.
  • Serve as the primary resource for campus-wide research administration professionals and external interested parties and provide expert advice on University policies and procedures, work process and practice, the sponsored programs lifecycle, IT systems, contacting, compliance issues, reporting, and stewardship.
  • Ensure that University practice and policy related to sponsored contracts reflect current state and federal laws and regulations for sponsored program activity and provide training and updates to faculty, leadership, and research administration professionals across campus.
  • Other duties as assigned.
    Comments:
    This position provides support in highly specialized areas of Research Administration. The Office of Sponsored Projects is a customer service organization dedicated to supporting a diverse client set including University administration, faculty, support staff and sponsoring entities.
    Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
    Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
    Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
    Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
    Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
    Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field or equivalency required (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Two years experience working with federal or private funding agencies on grants, contracts or other agreements required. The ability to work independently, effectively and efficiently under extreme pressure and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.
An advanced degree in Public Administration, Law or a related field and five years of increasingly responsible experience within an academic or higher education environment preferred. Computer literacy in data management, document preparation and management, spreadsheet creation and presentation software is also preferred.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
  • A juris doctor degree
  • An Advanced knowledge of contracting and related processes.
  • Demonstrated understanding of university research environment and policies.
  • Experience with university research administration or related experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property and licensing issues as they pertain to academic research.
  • Communicate knowledge and ideas both verbally and in writing with clarity and effectiveness to internal and external audiences, client groups and all levels of management.
  • Make good independent decisions based on critical and analytical thinking, experience and judgment.
  • Deliver high quality service and work products that can be relied upon by clients and colleagues to meet business requirements.
  • Work well with colleagues and clients. Collaborate and work effectively in a distributed team environment.
  • Demonstrated curiosity and comfort with uncertainty and ambiguity.
  • Proactively Drive change and continuous improvement through individual contributions.
  • Strong service orientation, demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, action-oriented, customer-focused service environment.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize a variety of tasks and demands.
  • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn applicable university and departmental systems.
Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah NonDiscrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

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About University of Utah

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The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Salt Lake City, UT, US

Year founded

1850

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