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What does a senior contract analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Brian Meehan

A senior contract analyst is responsible for creating business agreements and contract negotiations, ensuring that the terms of service adhere to the business' requirements and interests. Senior contract analysts follow strict contractual regulations and legal policies to prevent contract disputes and discrepancies that may pose financial and reputational risks for the business. They should also be informed of the business services and client conditions to verify liabilities and obligations within the contract clauses. A senior contract analyst must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing expertise, to create and revise contract documents as needed.

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Senior contract analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior contract analyst resumes:

  • Manage cross-functional teams responsible for network infrastructure, enterprise applications, servers, capacity and business continuity planning.
  • Identify target products and new generic competition for bids and assist in the RFP process to increase savings.
  • Administer software development subcontracts from initial RFP to contract closeout for software development group.
  • Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a staff members and key leaders involve in or directly relevant to logistics activity.
  • Assist in preparation of RFQ.
  • Manage expectations of DCMA / DCAA regulators and when necessary defend evaluated/negotiated positions.

Senior contract analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Senior Contract Analysts are proficient in Contract Administration, SQL, and Analytical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.

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

  • Contract Administration, 16%

    Served in various capacities of increasing responsibility in the functional areas of Contract Administration and Procurement.

  • SQL, 7%

    Created ad-hoc reports using SQL and MS Access to analyze the contracted business within each business unit.

  • Analytical Support, 6%

    Worked closely with cross-functional teams to successfully provide analytical support to proposals, promotions and product launches.

  • Cost Savings, 6%

    Completed Six Sigma Green Belt project to reduce overtime and temps that resulted in cost savings of $58,000.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Maintained excellent track record of customer service backed by continuous drive towards process improvement and fiscal responsibility.

  • Contract Language, 5%

    Reviewed, analyzed, developed and implemented contract language with the applicable government regulatory agencies.

"contract administration," "sql," and "analytical support" are among the most common skills that senior contract analysts use at work. You can find even more senior contract analyst responsibilities below, including:

Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior contract analyst to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what senior contract analysts do because "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." Additionally, a senior contract analyst resume shows how senior contract analysts use computer skills: "work with the dialer system and very proficient with the computer systems as well as providing excellent customer service. "

Detail oriented. Many senior contract analyst duties rely on detail oriented. "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health.," so a senior contract analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior contract analyst responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "provide detailed guidance on contract performance within compliance to cam and far. "

Math skills. senior contract analysts are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior contract analyst responsibilities, because "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities." A senior contract analyst resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "conducted due diligence on twenty hedge funds and provided extensive quantitative analytics on fund asset allocation, liquidity, and performance. "

Analytical skills. senior contract analyst responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." This resume example shows what senior contract analysts do with analytical skills on a typical day: "provided monthly and quarterly financial reports and performed analysis for operating management. "

Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a senior contract analyst to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what senior contract analysts relies on this skill, since "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." How this skill relates to senior contract analyst duties can be seen in an example from a senior contract analyst resume snippet: "assisted with telecommunications asset buyback reviewed lease contracts and billing information calculated contract casualty rates compared lease schedules and financial databases"

Most common senior contract analyst skills

The three companies that hire the most senior contract analysts are:

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Senior Contract Analyst Resume
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Compare different senior contract analysts

Senior contract analyst vs. Analyst lead

The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.

If we compare the average senior contract analyst annual salary with that of an analyst lead, we find that analyst leads typically earn a $34,619 higher salary than senior contract analysts make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior contract analyst and analyst lead positions are skilled in customer service, dod, and strong analytical.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior contract analyst are more likely to require skills like "contract administration," "sql," "analytical support," and "cost savings." On the other hand, a job as an analyst lead requires skills like "analytics," "excellent interpersonal," "java," and "powerpoint." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Analyst leads tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $110,488. In contrast, senior contract analysts make the biggest average salary, $75,488, in the finance industry.The education levels that analyst leads earn slightly differ from senior contract analysts. In particular, analyst leads are 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior contract analyst. Additionally, they're 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior contract analyst vs. Operations specialist

An operations specialist is responsible for optimizing the business' daily operations, ensuring smooth process flow to provide the best services to clients. Operations specialists' duties include analyzing business procedures, identifying opportunities for business improvement, tracking the department's metrics and activities, providing assistance to colleagues, suggesting strategies for operations efficiency, and managing customer's inquiries and complaints. An operations specialist must be an excellent team player and detail-oriented, as well as proven time-management and decision-making skills to meet clients' needs and support the business' objectives.

On average, operations specialists earn a $5,893 lower salary than senior contract analysts a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Senior contract analysts and operations specialists both require similar skills like "sql," "customer service," and "dod" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior contract analyst responsibilities requires skills like "contract administration," "analytical support," "cost savings," and "contract language." But an operations specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "basic math," "powerpoint," "customer satisfaction," and "operational procedures."

On average, operations specialists earn a lower salary than senior contract analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, operations specialists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $65,446. Whereas senior contract analysts have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $75,488.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Operations specialists tend to reach lower levels of education than senior contract analysts. In fact, they're 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior contract analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Brian MeehanBrian Meehan LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Economics, Campbell School of Business, Berry College

If I knew what technologies were going to arise in the next 3-5 years and play an essential part in any industry, I would invest in the companies/individuals producing those technologies. The best way to separate insight from the empty talk is to see if people have skin in the game when they make projections or give investing advice. Skin in the game generates more accountability and insight. So, my empty talk answer is tedious -- I think graduates should become equipped to deal with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangout, and technologies like those, where remote communication and collaboration can occur.

Senior contract analyst vs. Analyst

Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.

On average, analysts earn higher salaries than senior contract analysts, with a $12,362 difference per year.By looking over several senior contract analysts and analysts resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "dod," and "strong analytical." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior contract analyst resumes include skills like "contract administration," "sql," "analytical support," and "cost savings," whereas an analyst is more likely to list skills in "troubleshoot," "digital transformation," "data entry," and "excellent interpersonal. "

Analysts make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $79,330. On the other hand, senior contract analysts are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $75,488.When it comes to education, analysts tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior contract analysts. In fact, they're 2.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior contract analyst vs. Finance analyst

A finance analyst is responsible for evaluating a company's financial data and historical reports to assess investment opportunities and provide accurate financial statements in support of business strategies and company performance prediction. A financial analyst's duties also include suggesting recommendations to boost operations efficiency and grow revenues, researching the current market performance and economic trends to adjust budget goals as needed, and managing client portfolios. Finance analysts must have excellent critical and analytical thinking skills to identify the best actions for the company's profitability.

Finance analysts average a higher salary than the annual salary of senior contract analysts. The difference is about $9,242 per year.While both senior contract analysts and finance analysts complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like sql, analytical support, and cost savings, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "contract administration," "contract language," "contract negotiations," and "contract management" are skills that commonly show up on senior contract analyst resumes. On the other hand, finance analysts use skills like variance analysis, hyperion, financial performance, and ad-hoc analysis on their resumes.The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for finance analysts, with average annual pay of $92,446. Comparatively, the highest senior contract analyst annual salary comes from the finance industry.finance analysts reach similar levels of education compared to senior contract analysts, in general. The difference is that they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior contract analyst

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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