Contract Administrator
University of South Carolina
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC is seeking a Contract Administrator to oversee full lifecycle of contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement activities. The role reports to the Development Office within the Division of Development and requires a bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of related experience.
On-site, 37.5 hours/week, standard schedule with some flexibility. Responsibilities include contract planning, vendor engagement, fiscal monitoring, and compliance with state and
Qualifications
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience.
- Knowledge of contract administration, procurement processes, and vendor management principles.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Contract Lifecycle Administration: manage contracts from initiation to closeout, including negotiations and renewals.
- Procurement Coordination and Vendor Management: coordinate RFPs/RFQs, vendor demos, and evaluations; liaison with campuses and departments.
- Compliance, Risk Management, and Contract Monitoring: develop monitoring processes, ensure regulatory adherence, mitigate risks.
- Financial Administration and Fiscal Oversight: oversee expenditures, process invoices, and track budgets in financial systems.
- Stakeholder Engagement, Documentation, and Operational Support: maintain auditable contract files and provide guidance to users and leadership.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Procurement and Inventory Control
Procurement
Contract Administrator
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/186636
P4 - Professional
Contract Administrator
Columbia
Richland
Division of Development
DEV Development Office
G11
MRI - $69,913 $87,391 $104,870
$69,913 - commensurate with qualifications
Columbia, SC **on-site**
Full Time
37.5
- Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
12 months
Other Professional
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Under very limited supervision, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Talent and Administrative Services, the Contract Administrator manages the full lifecycle of the Division’s contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement-related activities with the University and Educational Foundation. Provides strategic oversight of contract planning, solicitation development, vendor engagement, fiscal monitoring, and compliance administration. Ensures all contractual activities are conducted in accordance with federal regulations, state laws, University policies, Educational Foundation requirements, and the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code while supporting operational effectiveness, fiscal accountability, and uninterrupted service delivery across the Division.
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
- A bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience in state government or higher education setting.
- Familiar with the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code and active application in the work environment.
- Knowledge of contract administration, procurement processes, and vendor management principles.
- Knowledge of applicable federal regulations, state laws, the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code, and institutional policies governing contracts and purchasing activities.
- Knowledge of budgeting, financial monitoring, invoice processing, and fiscal accountability practices.
- Skill in managing the full lifecycle of contracts, including solicitation, negotiation, execution, monitoring, renewal, and closeout.
- Skill in analyzing contractual terms, interpreting regulations, and resolving contract-related issues.
- Strong organizational, project management, and recordkeeping skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with vendors, leadership, legal counsel, purchasing professionals, and program staff.
- Proficiency in financial and procurement systems, contract management tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Expertise in contract compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and vendor performance management.
- Ability to provide strategic guidance on procurement and contractual matters while ensuring operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and foster productive stakeholder relationships in a complex organizational environment.
- Ability to lead, advise, and communicate effectively with employees at all levels, as well as external customers and suppliers.
Provides comprehensive administration and oversight of the Division’s contractual agreements from initiation through closeout. Coordinates the development, review, negotiation, execution, renewal, amendment, and termination of contracts and vendor agreements. Maintains an organized contract management system and tracking database to monitor contract status, expiration dates, renewal requirements, milestones, and performance obligations. Ensures contracts are solicited, extended, modified, or terminated in a timely manner to prevent service interruptions and operational risks.
Yes
25%
Serves as the primary point of contact for new and existing contractual relationships and procurement-related activities. Partners with Advancement Services for all contractual agreements with data sharing elements for coordination. Collaborates with department leaders to develop scopes of work, specifications, and contractual requirements and partners with the University Purchasing Office to facilitate requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for qualifications (RFQs), formal solicitations, and vendor selection processes. Serves as the primary point of contact and coordinates vendor demonstrations, campus visits, and evaluation activities; participates on evaluation committees; assesses vendor performance, service quality, and end-user satisfaction; and recommends suppliers that best meet organizational needs and strategic objectives.
Yes
25%
Develops and implements contract monitoring processes to ensure vendor compliance with contractual obligations, performance standards, and regulatory requirements. Monitors deliverables, service levels, and contractual milestones while ensuring adherence to federal regulations, state laws, University policies, Educational Foundation requirements, and the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code. Identifies potential contractual risks, non-compliance issues, disputes, or performance concerns and collaborates with University Legal Counsel, Foundation General Counsel, Purchasing, and departmental leadership to resolve issues and mitigate risk.
Yes
15%
Provides financial oversight of contractual expenditures and vendor payments to ensure fiscal responsibility and budgetary compliance. Reviews, verifies, and processes contract-related invoices and payment requests through PeopleSoft financial systems; initiates and monitors purchase orders, requisitions, and contractual spending; and tracks budgeted amounts to prevent over-expenditures. Partners closely with the Development Finance team to support reconciliations, financial reporting, account monitoring, budget forecasts, and contract-related financial planning activities while ensuring accurate and timely financial transaction processing.
Yes
15%
Serves as the liaison among internal program staff, University Purchasing, Accounts Payable, the Controller’s Office, vendors, and other key stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination throughout the contract administration process. Maintains complete and auditable contract files containing executed agreements, amendments, correspondence, payment schedules, performance documentation, and contract-related records in both electronic and hard-copy formats. Provides technical assistance, guidance, and training to contract users and leadership; communicates contract milestones and renewal requirements; supports dispute resolution activities; and contributes to the Division’s operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
Yes
15%
No
5%
No
Non-Essential
1
10/16/2026
08/10/2026
09/14/2026
No
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 14, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
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