Post job

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts manager

The differences between senior contracts negotiators 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 $67,342 average annual salary of a senior contracts negotiator.

The top three skills for a senior contracts negotiator include contract administration, proposal preparation and contract terms. The most important skills for a contracts manager are contract management, contract administration, and contract terms.

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts manager overview

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Manager
Yearly salary$67,342$72,691
Hourly rate$32.38$34.95
Growth rate-6%-6%
Number of jobs8,01013,218
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4447
Years of experience-6

What does a senior contracts negotiator do?

A senior contracts negotiator takes responsibility for providing contract leadership between parties. Senior contracts negotiators see to it that the contract responsibilities agreed upon are compliant with both the policies of both parties. They investigate and define the problem areas, perform research, and prepare reports with recommended solutions. Their job requires them to coordinate and support all contract management aspects such as the preparation, management, and administration of contract negotiation proposals.

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.

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts manager salary

Senior contracts negotiators and contracts managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Manager
Average salary$67,342$72,691
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $102,000Between $45,000 And $116,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between senior contracts negotiator and contracts manager education

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

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaStanford University

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior contracts negotiators' and contracts managers' demographics:

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Manager
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 51.3% Female, 48.7%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 senior contracts negotiator and contracts manager duties and responsibilities

Senior contracts negotiator example responsibilities.

  • Manage administrative support, handle payroll, develop company policies and procedures manual.
  • Develop spreadsheets and narrative support for cost proposals in compliance with the RFP.
  • Collaborate with business unit in responding to request-for-proposals (RFP) during renewals or for potential business.
  • Represent company in arbitration settlement negotiations that result in an agreement to obtain governmental approval for the sale of the business.
  • Prepare monthly and quarterly reconciliations.

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

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts manager skills

Common senior contracts negotiator skills
  • Contract Administration, 11%
  • Proposal Preparation, 8%
  • Contract Terms, 6%
  • DOD, 6%
  • Service Agreements, 5%
  • ITAR, 5%
Common contracts manager skills
  • Contract Management, 9%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Proposal Preparation, 3%

Browse business and financial jobs