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Contracts specialist vs contracts manager

The differences between contracts specialists and contracts managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a contracts manager has an average salary of $72,691, which is higher than the $63,727 average annual salary of a contracts specialist.

The top three skills for a contracts specialist include veterans, DOD and contract administration. The most important skills for a contracts manager are contract management, contract administration, and contract terms.

Contracts specialist vs contracts manager overview

Contracts SpecialistContracts Manager
Yearly salary$63,727$72,691
Hourly rate$30.64$34.95
Growth rate-6%-6%
Number of jobs27,24413,218
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4447
Years of experience-6

What does a contracts specialist do?

A contract specialist is responsible for evaluating contract agreements between the business and its clients. Contract specialists write beneficial deals that would develop good, professional working partnerships. They negotiate terms with clients, analyzing bid offers, review legislation processes and regulations, provide immediate resolution for breach of contracts, manage procurement proposals, and communicate with potential and existing clients for any amendments and clarifications. A contract specialist must have excellent communication and negotiation skills and broad knowledge of legal terminologies and contract styles.

What does a contracts manager do?

A contract manager is responsible for finalizing contract agreements between the company and its clients, revising documents, creating procurement proposals, and managing breach of contracts immediately. Contract managers respond to clients' inquiries and concerns about the contract's terms, conditions, and adjustment requests. They should be highly knowledgeable with legal terms and legislation regulations, ensuring that documents align with their objectives. The contract manager should also stay updated with the latest trends to meet contract demands, identify more business opportunities to boost revenues, and achieve profitability goals.

Contracts specialist vs contracts manager salary

Contracts specialists and contracts managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contracts SpecialistContracts Manager
Average salary$63,727$72,691
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $99,000Between $45,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between contracts specialist and contracts manager education

There are a few differences between a contracts specialist and a contracts manager in terms of educational background:

Contracts SpecialistContracts Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityStanford University

Contracts specialist vs contracts manager demographics

Here are the differences between contracts specialists' and contracts managers' demographics:

Contracts SpecialistContracts Manager
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 40.2% Female, 59.8%Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between contracts specialist and contracts manager duties and responsibilities

Contracts specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage multiple task orders in an IDIQ environment.
  • Provide clarity on medical and drug cover benefits for a Medicare advantage insurance plan.
  • Manage inventory and distribution activities of the third-party logistics provider.
  • Develop marketing strategies to expand Medicaid manage care provider network and enrollment.
  • Manage the influenza vaccine annual contracting and RFP process for a national specialty pharmaceutical distributor.
  • Process purchase orders and subcontracts, including managing insurance requirement compliance and certify payroll documentation.
  • Show more

Contracts manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage ISO requirements for sales and marketing.
  • Manage IDIQ contracts including task and delivery orders.
  • Manage RFI's and change orders through close out.
  • Manage all material for a non MRP driven program manually.
  • Coach and direct the IPT for use of proper policies to achieve goals.
  • Lead two DCAA audits for a $60 million project resulting in no-cost findings during tenure as manager.
  • Show more

Contracts specialist vs contracts manager skills

Common contracts specialist skills
  • Veterans, 7%
  • DOD, 7%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 5%
  • Contract Management, 5%
  • Market Research, 5%
Common contracts manager skills
  • Contract Management, 9%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Proposal Preparation, 3%

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