Contract Administration Manager

Knife River Corporation; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401(k)

Company-paid medical, dental, and vis​

Disability & life insurance

Job summary

Knife River is seeking a Contract Administration Manager to support the Estimating Department with contract and bid compliance, and to supervise the Estimating Administrative Staff. This role coordinates bid processes, filings, and interdepartmental communications on complex projects.

The ideal candidate has a business or construction management background, strong organizational and analytical skills, readiness to travel on short notice, and experience with JDE and HCSS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or construction management or equivalent work experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the bidding process for Federal and State projects.
• Knowledge of Prevailing Wage requirements.
• Superior organizational and analytical skills.
• Willingness to travel on short notice and work weekends/holidays when needed.
• Experience supervising others and meeting deadlines.
• Reliable and accurate in checking own work.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Find projects to bid in all states and ensure paperwork is submitted.
• Update weekly agenda and distribute to estimators or divisions.
• Procure bid packets, bid bonds, signatures, and distribute appropriately.
• Submit bids using Quest CDM, Bid X, Onvia/Demand Star, and other systems.
• Handle pre-qualification filings and licensing/bonding.
• Create jobs in JDE and link with HCSS for contract input.
• Enter contracts and budgets into JDE via HCSS uploads or manually.
• Create and issue subcontracts and ensure COIs from subcontractors.
• Print and distribute weekly job listings and monthly billing worksheets.
• Liaise between Contracting and Accounting for WIP forecasting and reporting.
• Maintain filing and records; assume additional duties as directed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Leadership experience

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Flexibility / travel on short notice

Timely filing and accuracy

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or construction management

Tools

JDE

HCSS

Job description

The Contract Administration Manager is responsible for assisting the Estimating Department in contract and bid compliance and execution, including but not limited to supervising the Estimating Administrative Staff.

• Find projects to bid in all states, counties, municipalities, etc. Ensures all required paperwork is submitted for upcoming bids
• Update weekly agenda and submit to appropriate estimator or division
• Procure all bid packets, bid bonds, signatures, and distribute appropriately
• Submit bids; Quest CDM, Bid X, ACHD Open Gov, Bonfire, Onvia/Demand Star, Zycus, etc and maintain all bidding information
• Responsible for pre-qualification filings including all appropriate licensing and bonds
• Create jobs in JDE in preparation for contract input for interlink with HCSS along with producing job files.
• Responsible for ensuring that all contracts and budgets are entered into JDE via HCSS upload or by hand.
• Create and issue subcontracts
• Order and ensure that all subcontractors have provided certificates of insurance by maintaining a current database of all information pertaining to each project/contract.
• Responsible for the timely printing and distribution of all weekly job listings and monthly contract billing worksheets.
• Act as liaison between the Contracting and Accounting departments providing input and information as necessary for the purpose of job cost accounting and work in process (WIP) forecasting and reporting.
• Ensures proper filing and storage of records.
• Assumes other special activities and responsibilities as directed.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He/she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other work‑related duties requested by his/her supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or construction management or equivalent work experience
• Extensive knowledge of the bidding process for Federal and State projects
• Knowledge of Prevailing Wage requirements
• Superior organizational and analytical skills
• Must be flexible in hours and days worked. Extended hours necessary at times for completion of projects which include weekends and holidays at times
• Must be able to travel on short notice
• Must pass background check
• Experience supervising others and ensuring deadlines are being met and work is submitted timely and accurately
• Reliability in checking own work to ensure accuracy
• Superior interpersonal skills. Ability to get along with diverse personalities, tactful, mature, flexible
• Attendance must meet the scheduled requirements of the Company
• Proven ability to perform and maintain a positive attitude and work safely

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with project management and estimating software such as JDE, HCSS, and other relevant platforms
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration across departments
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining attention to detail
• Experience working with public agencies and understanding of government contracting regulations

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Knife River-Mountain Region offers Paid Time Off (PTO), a 401(k), as well as COMPANY PAID medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and their dependents.

We are a drug free work environment requiring pre‑employment and random drug testing. Subject to background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.