Career Path in Contract Management
Find the next steps on your personalized path to professional Contract Management. If you are interested in pursuing a career in contract management but aren’t sure what to expect, don’t worry. We’ve broken it down to help you understand the career path. To give you a common starting point for discussions about the professional grade and salary levels, performance expectations, and expected (or required) skills and experience needed for professional advancement, we’ve developed general position descriptions for various roles within the contract management field.
Contract activity has been divided into 5 levels
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Beginner Level
(People at this level deal with low-dollar, low-risk types of contracts and agreements.)
- Work under the supervision of an Expert Practitioner
- Take basic courses in Contract Law, Contract Administration, Cost and Price Analysis
- Attend chapter events and network with people in the profession
- Volunteer to be on a chapter committee
Job Description
Complexity
Contract activity with low to moderate risk to business unit, per standard policy. Executes low- to mid-dollar, routine contracts and places orders against existing contracts. Includes defined, repetitive functions. Typically handles routine or standard form contract agreements and related documentation in accordance with established contract policies and procedures. Requires a minimum of independent business judgment and a high degree of management attention.
Responsibilities
Reviews solicitations and prepares routine response for proposals, bids, and contract modifications. May also prepare simple requests for proposals. Analyzes contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, corporate policies and business unit procedure. Drafts and negotiates simple contractual instruments commensurate with skills and grade level. Communicates contract policy and practice to internal business teams. Ensures contract review, approval and execution in accordance with corporate and/or business unit guidelines. Prepares and administers routine correspondence, negotiation memoranda, and contract documentation to ensure timely and coordinated submittal. Prepares, organizes and maintains contract records and files documenting contract performance and compliance. May conduct research to support contract audit and or facilitate business unit contracting trends. Performs contract closeout activities. Assists mid- to high-level contract professionals in working with internal or external business teams on issues and developments relative to assigned contracts.
Skills and Abilities
Basic to working knowledge of corporate policies and procedures. Basic to working knowledge of contracting concepts, Uniform Commercial Code, applicable international contract law, or public contract acquisition law and regulations. Good to strong analytical and communication skills. Ability to draft simple contractual instruments in accordance with prescribed templates and guidelines.
Interface
Other contract professionals and business unit staff; cross-functional project teams; entry to mid-level customer and supplier associates.
Education and Experience
Bachelors degree with business emphasis or other degree plus 24 semester hours of business-related courses and less than 3 years general business or contract-related experience is typical.
Certification
Certified Contract Management Associate™ (CCMA™)
Journeyman
(Three or more years of experience. People at this level are doing slightly more complex buying/selling. Contracts will be non-routine, requiring more independent thought and judgment.)
- Work under the supervision of an Expert Practitioner or Manager
- Take advanced courses in Contract Administration, Cost and Price Analysis, etc.
- Study for NCMA Certification (Certified Federal Contracts Manager [CFCM] or Certified Commercial Contracts Manager [CCCM], as appropriate)
- Be considered for a limited Contracting Officer warrant (Federal Employee)
- Volunteer to help lead your NCMA chapter, get leadership experience!
- Consider the Contract Management Leadership Development Program (minimum 4 years experience)
- Complexity
Job Description
Complexity
Contract activity with moderate to high risk to the business unit. Contract activity may be non-routine and require development of specialized contract vehicles and techniques to accomplish business goals and objectives. Generally involves independent judgment and analysis of significant issue identification and resolution. May require development of new contract policies and processes or assessment of required deviations from established norm. Requires a lower degree of management attention.
Responsibilities
Reviews complex solicitations and prepares specialized and/or non-routine response for proposals, bids, and contract modifications. Also may prepare complex requests for proposals. Analyzes significant, and/or unique contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and corporate policies and business unit procedure. Provides contractual guidance to business team members for appropriate Statement of Work. Manages contract change control process. Develops negotiation strategy and leads negotiation team on complex contractual issues. Analyzes new law, regulation and contract trends for potential impact on business unit goals and objectives. Functions as domain expert on selected areas and issues. Provides authoritative guidance to internal business teams on corporate goals and objectives relating to contract activity. Focal point for all communication with law, finance and business team disciplines for resolution of contract issues and disputes. May assist in new business pursuit and associated contract strategy. Assists in identification, development and implementation of new contract policy and processes. May mentor and train less experienced professionals. May participate in development of less complex business alliances and partnering agreements. Have a general understanding of the business case and an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications.
Skills and Abilities
Ability to draft moderate to complex, non-routine contractual instruments. Working to excellent knowledge of corporate policies and procedures, coupled with ability to identify required improvement to established policies. Working to expert knowledge of contracting concepts, Uniform Commercial Code, applicable public contract acquisition law and regulations, and applicable international contract law. Strong to excellent analytical and communication skills. Good presentation, leadership and team-building skills. Use of independent judgment and creativity applied to resolution of contract issues. Excellent internal and external negotiation skills. Emerging ability to excel in upper level management environment.
Interface
Business unit management teams, senior project or product managers, customer/supplier law department, outside counsel, mid-to senior level corporate management.
Education and Experience
Bachelors degree in business or other degree and 24 semester hours of business. Three or more years business or related experience. Masters degree in business degree highly desirable.
Certification
Certified Federal Contracts Manager™ (CFCM™) or Certified Commercial Contracts Manager™ (CCCM™).
Expert Practitioner
(Those at this level have a very high strategic impact to corporations or agencies. They are responsible for managing critical contractual formation and management, obligations of high risk and visibility. Requires high degree of independent and creative judgment applied to highest-level goals and objectives of the corporation or agency.)
- Work under supervision of corporate/agency Manager
- Complete graduate work (MBA) or other relevant studies
- Receive unlimited Contracting Officer warrant (Federal Employee)
- Serve a term as President or other Executive Officer of your NCMA chapter
Job Description
Complexity
Very high strategic impact to corporation or business unit. Responsible for managing critical contractual formation and management, obligations of high risk and visibility. Requires high degree of independent and creative judgment applied to highest-level goals and objectives of the corporation.
Responsibilities
Establishes highest-level contract strategy and drives implementation of strategic contract opportunities with the most significant impact to the corporation. Provides contractual domain expertise in implementation, execution and administration. Participates in development of business alliance and partnering, acquisitions and divestitures, source selection procedures and process, make or buy determinations. May act as senior program or project manger. When required, performs in a cross-functional role for other business elements, e.g. finance, law, operations. Provides guidance and leadership to cross-functional business team members. May mentor less-experienced contract professionals. May provide formal training in contract domain expertise. Champions contract policy and procedure revision and improvement. Lead negotiation responsibilities. Understands the business case and has an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications.
Skills and Abilities
Significant ability to influence senior corporate management. Excellent presentation, teambuilding and leadership skills. Ability to effect and mange change agents. Ability to perform in complex cross-functional business environment. Proven program management ability. Global perspective of business environment and technology. Motivational and visionary leadership skills.
Interface
Senior corporate management, customer/supplier executive management; public agency executives.
Education and Experience
Masters degree in business and 8+ years business experience. Experience generally includes significant technical knowledge, and/or experience in international contracting, joint venture formation, strategic partnering, or other highly complex contractual arrangements.
Certification
CFCM™ or CCCM™. Certified Professional Contracts Manager™ (CPCM™) desired
Manager
(This level requires the technical knowledge of an Expert Practitioner plus the ability to manage and mentor subordinates and interface with Senior Executives.)
- Report to a Senior Executive
- Enhance abilities by continuous learning in technical and management topics
- Serve as an advisor to your local NCMA Chapter
- Earn Certified Professional Contracts Manager™ (CPCM™) certification
Job Description
Complexity
Contract activity with moderate to high risk to the business unit. Contract activity may be non-routine and require development of specialized contract vehicles and techniques to accomplish business goals and objectives. Generally involves independent judgment and analysis of significant issue identification and resolution. May require development of new contract policies and processes or assessment of required deviations from established norm. Requires a lower degree of management attention.
Responsibilities
Supervises the activity of entry to mid-level contract professionals in review and preparation of routine contract documents in accordance with corporate policy. Reviews complex solicitations and prepares specialized and/or non-routine response for proposals, bids, and contract modifications. Trains and develops subordinate contract professionals to assume more complex contract activity. Analyzes significant, and/or unique contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and corporate policies and business unit procedure and communicates results to subordinates. Develops negotiation strategy and leads negotiation team on complex contractual issues. Analyzes new law, regulation and contract trends for potential impact on business unit goals and objectives. Provides authoritative guidance to internal business teams and contract subordinates on corporate goals and objectives relating to contract activity. Focal point for all communication with law, finance and business team disciplines for resolution of contract issues and disputes. Assists in identification, development and implementation of new contract policy and processes. Have a general understanding of the business case and an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications.
Skills and Abilities
Ability to supervise and train less experienced contract professionals and to identify and develop contract skills in assigned function. Ability to draft moderate to complex, non-routine contractual instruments. Working to excellent knowledge of corporate policies and procedures, coupled with ability to identify required improvement to established policies and to communicate implementation procedures to others. Working to expert knowledge of contracting concepts, Uniform Commercial Code, applicable public contract acquisition law and regulations, and applicable international contract law. Strong to excellent analytical and communication skills. Good presentation, leadership and management skills. Use of independent judgment and creativity applied to resolution of contract issues. Excellent internal and external negotiation skills. Emerging ability to excel in upper level management environment.
Interface
Contract subordinates, business unit management teams, senior project or product managers, customer/supplier law department, outside counsel, mid-to senior level corporate management
Education and Experience
Bachelors degree plus 8+ years business or related experience. Masters degree in business highly desirable.
Certification
Certified Professional Contracts Manager™ (CPCM™).
Senior Executive
(Those at the Executive level are responsible for managing contract professionals at highest levels. Directs the activities of contract professionals including highly complex contractual arrangements of strategic importance to corporate or agency. Directs identification, development and implementation of entire range of contract formation, negotiation and administration policies, and processes in accordance with customer expectations and corporate/agency objectives.)
- Speak at an NCMA national event
- Serve on an NCMA national committee
- Mentor your Chapter or a Contract Management Leadership Development Program student
Job Description
Complexity
Responsible for managing contract professionals at highest levels. Directs the activities of contract professionals including highly complex contractual arrangements of strategic importance to corporate or business unit. Directs identification, development and implementation of entire range of contract formation, negotiation and administration policies and processes in accordance with customer expectations and corporate objectives.
Responsibilities
Communicates corporate and business unit objectives to contract department. Establishes highest-level contract policies and processes to ensure achievement of corporate expectations. Drives implementation of strategic contract opportunities with the most significant impact to the corporation. Approves and implements new and revised contract policy and process. Participates in development of business alliances, acquisitions and divestitures, source selection procedures and process, make or buy determinations, and risk management directives. Provides career development and training opportunities for contract professionals. Performs in a cross-functional role for other business elements, e.g. finance, law, operations. Provides guidance and leadership to cross-functional business team members. Ensures appropriate contract staffing and budget levels. Have mentoring and training responsibilities. Occasionally may lead complex negotiations. Understands the business case and has an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications.
Skills and Abilities
A key part of senior corporate management. Ability to establish and implement departmental goals and objectives. Excellent presentation, teambuilding and leadership skills. Ability to effect and manage change agents. Ability to perform in complex cross-functional business environment. Proven management and delegation ability. Global perspective of business environment and technology. Motivational and visionary leadership skills, including the ability to recognize and develop emerging leadership talent.
Interface
Cross-functional departmental directors; senior corporate management, customer/supplier executive management; public agency executives.
Education and Experience
Advanced degree in business and 12 or more years business experience is typical, generally including supervisory/mentoring responsibility; advanced contract and technical knowledge, and/or experience in international contracting, joint venture formation, strategic partnering, or other highly complex contractual arrangements.
Certification
Certified Professional Contracts Manager™ (CPCM™).