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Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts specialist

The differences between senior contracts negotiators and contracts specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior contracts negotiator has an average salary of $67,342, which is higher than the $63,727 average annual salary of a contracts specialist.

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

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts specialist overview

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Specialist
Yearly salary$67,342$63,727
Hourly rate$32.38$30.64
Growth rate-6%-6%
Number of jobs8,01027,244
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

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 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.

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts specialist salary

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

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Specialist
Average salary$67,342$63,727
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $102,000Between $40,000 And $99,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Delaware
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between senior contracts negotiator and contracts specialist education

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

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaWestern Carolina University

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts specialist demographics

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

Senior Contracts NegotiatorContracts Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 51.3% Female, 48.7%Male, 40.2% Female, 59.8%
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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between senior contracts negotiator and contracts specialist 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 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

Senior contracts negotiator vs contracts specialist skills

Common senior contracts negotiator skills
  • Contract Administration, 11%
  • Proposal Preparation, 8%
  • Contract Terms, 6%
  • DOD, 6%
  • Service Agreements, 5%
  • ITAR, 5%
Common contracts specialist skills
  • Veterans, 7%
  • DOD, 7%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 5%
  • Contract Management, 5%
  • Market Research, 5%

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