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What does a contract negotiator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A contract negotiator is responsible for evaluating contract agreements and documents, negotiating terms with clients and customers, and resolving contract disputes. Contract negotiators manage parties' business deals and ensure that the conditions adhere to the company guidelines and state regulations. They also explain and discuss the contract to the representatives thoroughly and address any concerns and inquiries the parties may have. A contract negotiator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in finalizing terms and revising statements as needed.

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Contract negotiator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real contract negotiator resumes:

  • Manage expectations of DCMA / DCAA regulators and when necessary defend evaluated/negotiated positions.
  • Provide cost/benefit analysis, RFP response analysis, contract negotiation, and project management support.
  • Prepare proposals per domestic and international customer RFP specifications with input from program managers, accountants, and engineers.
  • Implement SharePoint contract repository with custom records retention policy.
  • Track the full acquisition documentation process utilizing a DHA agency-wide SharePoint portal.
  • Represent company in arbitration settlement negotiations that result in an agreement to obtain governmental approval for the sale of the business.
  • Create contracts in CMS for VAD customers.
  • Prepare and award diverse formal bids and proposals within all commodities.
  • Review provider agreements for completeness and ensure documentation is compliant with CMS regulations.

Contract negotiator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Contract Negotiators are proficient in Contract Administration, Contract Performance, and Contract Terms. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Computer skills.

We break down the percentage of Contract Negotiators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Contract Administration, 9%

    Prepared cost and price analyses for designated actions, contract negotiations, execution, and contract administration and production management activities.

  • Contract Performance, 6%

    Evaluated and monitored contract performances to ensure compliance with contractual obligations in accordance with statutory and regulatory policy.

  • Contract Terms, 6%

    Enforced contract terms and negotiated disputes to mutually beneficial and acceptable results.

  • Proposal Preparation, 6%

    Participated in proposal preparation, bids, contract negotiation and administration, and customer contact activities to ensure proper contract acquisitions.

  • Program Management, 5%

    Supported program management with successful capture of business orders, ROIC goals, and strategic business planning.

  • Contract Compliance, 5%

    Provided ethical response and developed relationship with government contracting officers which improved communications and ensured contract compliance and oversight when negotiating.

Common skills that a contract negotiator uses to do their job include "contract administration," "contract performance," and "contract terms." You can find details on the most important contract negotiator responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a contract negotiator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." Contract negotiators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "conduct analysis of vendor contracts in order to identify inconsistencies. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling contract negotiator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." According to a contract negotiator resume, here's how contract negotiators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "managed 95 accounts handling contract negotiations, customer communications, and contract research & analysis. "

Computer skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of contract negotiators is computer skills. This skill is critical to many everyday contract negotiator duties, as "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked in conjunction with national account and segment manager to ensure product pricing on various national pricing computer systems. "

Detail oriented. A big part of what contract negotiators do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to contract negotiator responsibilities because "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical contract negotiator tasks: "execute fine attention to details, intricate contractual negotiations, vendor management and timely deadline and multiple program management. "

Math skills. Another crucial skill for a contract negotiator to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what contract negotiators relies on this skill, since "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities." How this skill relates to contract negotiator duties can be seen in an example from a contract negotiator resume snippet: "preferred quantitative and qualitative data analysis. "

Most common contract negotiator skills

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Compare different contract negotiators

Contract negotiator vs. Business developer

A business developer specializes in conducting in-depth business analysis and crafting various strategies that would not just help a business grow, but also strengthen client base and brand awareness. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around identifying areas in need of improvement. They come up with new services that will boost customer satisfaction, examining the potential for revenue and figuring out new opportunities from trends or other pre-existing programs within the company. All of this is conducted according to the vision, mission, and policies of the organization.

The annual salary of business developers is $42,423 higher than the average salary of contract negotiators.Even though contract negotiators and business developers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require contract negotiations, dod, and rfp in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a contract negotiator are more likely to require skills like "contract administration," "excellent interpersonal," "contract performance," and "contract terms." On the other hand, a job as a business developer requires skills like "healthcare," "crm," "customer service," and "work ethic." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Business developers earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $118,082. On the other hand, contract negotiators are paid more in the insurance industry with an average salary of $81,999.business developers tend to reach similar levels of education than contract negotiators. In fact, business developers are 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Contract negotiator vs. Business development internship

A business development intern is responsible for supporting the organization's goals and objectives in providing the best services to clients and ensuring a smooth flow of operations with maximum productivity and efficiency. Business development interns observe the operational processes of the department and perform duties under the supervision of a direct manager or tenured staff. They also assist with the creation of new products and services, pitching strategies to promote them in the market, develop marketing campaigns, and creating proposals for business partnership purposes. A business development intern must be detail-oriented and highly organized to support daily operations.

A career as a business development internship brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a contract negotiator. In fact, business development interns salary is $26,066 lower than the salary of contract negotiators per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both contract negotiators and business development interns have skills such as "rfp," "market research," and "pricing strategy. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, contract negotiator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "contract administration," "excellent interpersonal," "contract performance," and "contract terms." Meanwhile, a business development internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "powerpoint," "social media marketing," "data entry," and "crm." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Business development interns earn a lower average salary than contract negotiators. But business development interns earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $36,190. Additionally, contract negotiators earn the highest salaries in the insurance with average pay of $81,999 annually.In general, business development interns achieve similar levels of education than contract negotiators. They're 2.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 8.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Contract negotiator vs. Business internship

In a business internship, the responsibilities will vary by the directives given by the supervising staff. However, one of the primary duties as an intern is to perform support-related tasks for the department or office where they are assigned. An intern may participate in marketing research and analysis, devising sales strategies, producing progress reports and presentations, and even handling social media accounts for public relations, all while under the supervision of a more experienced colleague.

On average scale, business interns bring in lower salaries than contract negotiators. In fact, they earn a $23,930 lower salary per year.By looking over several contract negotiators and business interns resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "market research," "project management," and "business development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a contract negotiator is likely to be skilled in "contract administration," "excellent interpersonal," "contract performance," and "contract terms," while a typical business internship is skilled in "customer service," "power bi," "visualization," and "data analysis."

Business interns earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $38,332. Contract negotiators earn the highest pay from the insurance industry, with an average salary of $81,999.When it comes to education, business interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to contract negotiators. In fact, they're 3.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 7.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Contract negotiator vs. Senior advisor

A senior advisor's responsibilities will vary on the type of industry where one is involved. However, most of it will revolve around sharing extensive expertise and knowledge that is vital in a company's decision-making processes. A senior advisor must also conduct research and analysis, inspect issues, implement policies, and devise strategies that will benefit the company. Furthermore, as a senior advisor, they may have the task of mentoring less experienced professionals in their joint effort to bring more profit and significant results to the company.

Senior advisors average a higher salary than the annual salary of contract negotiators. The difference is about $60,346 per year.According to resumes from contract negotiators and senior advisors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "excellent interpersonal," "medicare," and "dod. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "contract administration," "contract performance," "contract terms," and "proposal preparation" are skills that commonly show up on contract negotiator resumes. On the other hand, senior advisors use skills like healthcare, risk management, customer service, and infrastructure on their resumes.In general, senior advisors earn the most working in the professional industry, with an average salary of $123,283. The highest-paying industry for a contract negotiator is the insurance industry.In general, senior advisors hold similar degree levels compared to contract negotiators. Senior advisors are 2.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of contract negotiator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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