Contracting Lead: Strategy, Negotiation & Delivery

Puget Sound Energy; Snoqualmie (WA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Puget Sound Energy is seeking a Consulting Contract Administrator to oversee the full lifecycle of Engineering-related contracts, from solicitation through execution and performance management, ensuring seamless delivery from start to finish.

You will lead cross-functional coordination, negotiate high-impact contracts for consulting, engineering, and maintenance services, drive cost control and data-driven improvements, while upholding safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, or related fields.
• Six (6) years managing a portfolio of progressively complex contracts and completion of a Contract Manager certification by NCMA, CPSM, or equivalent; or eight (8) years of relevant contract experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and external partners while fostering teamwork and a strong customer focus.
• Demonstrated expertise in contract drafting, negotiation strategy, and structuring complex service agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset with experience driving process enhancements and standardization.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to development of contractor management strategies aligned with program delivery goals.
• Documents and shares work to strengthen the depth and breadth of skills within PSE's contracting workforce while mentoring staff.
• Ensures contracts are structured to support operational, schedule, and financial objectives.
• Serves as primary liaison and team coordinator between the Contractor community and internal clients.
• Leads development of Statements of Work (SOWs) and contract templates and supports the full contract lifecycle, including contractor pre-qualification, solicitation, negotiation, execution, modification, and bid/RFP processes in coordination with sourcing and business stakeholders.
• Reviews the work of internal and external (consulting or contract) contract administrative staff.
• Leads ongoing management of contract partners, including performance tracking, issue resolution, and risk mitigation.
• Drives process improvement initiatives that strengthen data quality, reporting, and performance tracking while improving contract efficiency, standardization, and scalability.
• Leads and facilitates contractor Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and continuous improvement discussions to enhance contractor performance and drive operational improvements.
• Identifies contractor performance risks and drives mitigation strategies in coordination with quality and operations teams.
• Leads cost control strategy implementation within assigned contracts, including tracking, forecasting, and variance identification.
• Supports invoice validation processes in coordination with business support and project teams.
• Monitors contract thresholds and ensures appropriate approvals and controls are in place.
• Drives alignment between contracted rates, unit costs, and financial targets.
• Supports maintenance and accuracy of contract and project data within enterprise systems.
• Ensure contract-related workflows are properly tracked and documented.
• Formulates and conducts presentations to executive staff and industry.
• Ensures compliance with codes, standards, and design, operation, and maintenance requirements.
• Supports vendor workload balancing.
• Supports emergency response work as requested including immediate and extended restoration efforts driven by weather and other system failures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, related fields

NCMA CPSM or equivalent certification

Job description

Puget Sound Energy is seeking a Consulting Contract Administrator to oversee the full lifecycle of Engineering-related contracts, from solicitation through execution and performance management, ensuring seamless delivery from start to finish.

You will lead cross-functional coordination, negotiate high-impact contracts for consulting, engineering, and maintenance services, drive cost control and data-driven improvements, while upholding safety and compliance.