Dir Contract Administration - 90415540 - New York/DC/Philadelphia

Amtrak; New York (NY); On-site; USD 163,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Amtrak is seeking a Director of Contract Administration to lead contract management and claims strategies for the CAPD portfolio, collaborating across project executives, law, procurement, and engineering teams.

The role requires deep experience in contract terms, negotiations, and program management, with a focus on risk control, compliance, and process improvement across multi-site capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; significant contract/claims experience considered in lieu of degree.
• 11+ years of relevant work experience in contracts/claims management.
• Knowledge of FAR/CFR and government regulations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist project teams with investigating construction claims and change orders for merit, cost, and schedule impact.
• Develop claim and change order negotiation strategy for CAPD projects.
• Deliver training and develop templates to improve contract management competencies.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Claims management

Communication

Project management

MS Project/SharePoint

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Tools

SharePoint

MS Project

Visio

Excel

Job description

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Dir Contract Administration - 90415540 - New York/DC/Philadelphia

Date: Oct 5, 2026

Location: New York, NY, US, 10119 Washington, DC, US, 20001 Philadelphia, PA, US, 19104

Company: Amtrak

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America's workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of 'Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First' are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, 'Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security' are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

This position can be located in either New York NY, Washington DC, or Philadelphia PA.

The Director of Contract Administration provides contract management expertise and support to the Amtrak Capital Delivery (CAPD) organization through the Contract Management & Commercial Implementation team. This role works directly with the Project Executives and Directors, Project Managers, Project Contract Managers/Administrators, Contracting Official Representatives (COR), Procurement Contracting Officials (COs), and Law across the Amtrak Capital Project portfolio which include rail tunnel construction and rehabilitation, bridge replacement, station development and renovation, facility construction, fleet replacement, overhead catenary replacement, state of good repair projects etc. With the project teams, evaluate project claims, change orders, and disputes against the contract terms and documents, and develop commercial and negotiation strategies throughout the project lifecycle. Provide contract and claims management expertise, training, systems support. This role will work with project teams implementing the contract and claims management framework and project specific procedures for new and existing projects.

Essential Functions

• Assist project teams with investigating construction claims and change orders for merit, cost impact, schedule impact, delay recovery, concurrent delay, and Amtrak cost recovery.
• Develop claim and change order negotiation strategy
• Support contract and GMP negotiation for alternative delivery methods and contracts
• Supports resolution of complex contract and commercial inquiries regarding risks, issues, contract obligations and revisions needed on active CAPD projects.
• Develop and implement claims management strategy and process for CAPD projects.
• Develop job aids, templates, and training to build business acumen and capabilities for managing construction claims.
• Manage engagements with forensic scheduling, engineering, and accounting firms providing claim and change order investigation support
• Documents lessons learned from claims and change orders and implements appropriate changes to Amtrak contract templates and commercial terms with Law and Procurement.
• Delivers training for CAPD CMs and COTRs regarding change management, negotiations, preparation of independent cost estimates, and other contract management functions.
• In conjunction with the Procurement & Supply Chain team and Law, develops, disseminates, and implements contract management best practices.
• Ensure contract compliance with applicable laws and regulations, across the CAPD portfolio.
• Communicates and works closely with departmental peers and CAPD project teams across functional areas to build contract administration influence and set appropriate policies and direction.
• Leverages best practices and makes decisions based on the best interests of Amtrak
• Proactively engages all of the relevant internal parties in cross-functional activities to achieve shared goals and metrics to achieve success.
• Effectively creates and uses written material, oral presentations, and verbal interchange, and be at ease working with business leaders and executive staff
• Regularly reports out progress and significant developments to senior management.
• Interfaces directly with end-users, suppliers, Amtrak senior leadership, attorneys and government agencies as needed.
• Development and mentoring of contracts professionals is critical aspect of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Plus 11 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Plus 13 years of relevant work experience.
• Infrastructure construction program and contract management.
• Experience managing contracts in the transportation industry environment.
• CPCM, PMP, CCM, or other relevant certification in good standing preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of FAR, CFR 200, and other government regulations.
• Proven record of accomplishment improving business processes and delivering measurable results.
• Transportation industry experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience negotiating and administering various contract types of varying sizes and types of agreements within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
• Experience managing and resolving contractor claims and change orders on construction projects.
• Mastery of contract and commercial terms across delivery methods and capital construction projects.
• Able to build constructive and effective relationships and use them to maneuver through complex situations.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills – oral and written.
• Ability to provide subordinates with guidance, direction, motivation, and training to ensure cost-effective acquisitions, good negotiating strategies, value-analysis techniques, in-depth market research of market trends, and new contract administration and negotiation techniques.
• Ability to effectively manage in a fast-paced environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Embraces learning new tasks, both complex and simple, to maintain effectiveness in this position.
• Expert contract management practitioner with strong focus on claims management, contract administration, commercial terms, cross departmental collaboration, team building, and engagement.
• Highly motivated and self-directed.
• Mastery with independent judgment and ability make solid business and commercial decisions within scope of the project and program.
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks while under pressure.
• Working knowledge and proficiency in PC based applications, including SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project.
• Strong project and program management skills; Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service

Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands

The salary/hourly range is $163,000.00 - $211,140.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

• Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K with Employer Match Generous Paid Time Off
• Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care
• Health Savings Account Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Fertility and Family Building Benefits
• No-cost Personal Health Advocate Student Loan Assistance Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
• Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Tuition and Education Reimbursement Paid Family Leave
• Life Insurance Rail Pass Privileges
• Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance Employee Assistance Program
• No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Requisition ID:167342

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.