Principal Contract Specialist

Esri; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive benefits

Vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Esri is seeking a Principal Contract Specialist to lead the full lifecycle of high-impact services contracts from drafting through closeout in the Vienna, VA area. You’ll mentor a growing team and advise on policy, pricing, and negotiations to advance Esri’s geospatial solutions.

You will collaborate with legal, finance, and project teams to navigate complex contracts, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment with our mission. Relocation assistance is available.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively complex contract administration experience.
• Experience negotiating and managing a variety of contract types and structures.
• Strong understanding of contract law, risk management, and procurement best practices.
• Proven leadership and mentoring experience within a Contracts or Legal team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of complex services contracts, including RFP analysis, proposal development, negotiation, execution, and closeout.
• Provide strategic guidance on contract structuring, risk mitigation, and compliance with regulations and policies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on pricing strategies, terms, and negotiation approaches.
• Collaborate with legal, finance, and project teams to resolve complex contractual issues and support program success.
• Mentor and coach junior and mid-level contract professionals to foster learning and operational excellence.
• Support a variety of contract types, including commercial, public sector, international, and federal agreements.

Skills

Contract administration

Leadership

Negotiation

Policy & compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration / Legal Studies / Political Science

Job description

Overview

Are you a seasoned contracts professional ready to lead and inspire? Join Esri`s Professional Services division as a Principal Contract Specialist and take charge of high-impact agreements that support our mission to deliver transformative geospatial solutions. In this role, you`ll manage complex contracts, mentor a growing team, and serve as a strategic advisor- shaping policy, guiding negotiations, and elevating contract management practices across the organization.

You will be joining a team of Contract professionals who enjoy working together to support Esri's large customer base and internal customer requests. We love what we do, and we love Esri's philosophy. You will have a management team and colleagues who are here to support you. Technology is always changing, and our customers are finding new ways to utilize geospatial software to improve the world, so your assignments are varied, challenging, and fascinating.

Esri has a Relocation Assistance Program and can provide support with relocating to the Vienna, VA area for this position.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of complex services contracts, including RFP analysis, proposal development, negotiation, execution, and closeout
• Provide strategic guidance to internal stakeholders on contract structuring, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable regulations and policies
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, offering insights on pricing strategies, terms, and negotiation approaches
• Collaborate cross-functionally with legal, finance, and project teams to resolve complex contractual issues and support program success
• Mentor and coach junior and mid-level contract professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence
• Support a variety of contract types, including commercial, public sector, international, and federal agreements
• Apply knowledge of FAR/DFAR and federal procurement processes where applicable; federal experience is highly valued but not required

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively complex contract administration experience
• Demonstrated success in negotiating and managing a variety of contract types and structures
• Strong understanding of contract law, risk management, and procurement best practices
• Proven leadership and mentoring experience within a Contracts or Legal team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this posting. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Political Science, or related field

Recommended Qualifications

• Familiarity with federal contracting and large systems integrator terms and conditions
• Experience working with federal agencies and federal regulations including FAR/DFAR, SBA, EAR, ITAR, and Defense Security Service
• Familiarity with professional services contract terms, cloud computing terms, software licensing terms, software product development activities, intellectual property protection, and subcontracting
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Political Science, Juris Doctorate, or related field

Total Rewards

Esri’s competitive total rewards strategy includes industry-leading health and welfare benefits: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance for employees (and their families), 401(k) and profit‑sharing programs, minimum accrual of 80 hours of vacation leave, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Base salary is one component of our total rewards strategy. Compensation decisions and the base range for this role take into account many factors including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

A reasonable estimate of the base salary range is $98,800 — $153,920 USD

The Company

At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life’s best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology. For more information on Esri’s Racial Equity and Social Justice initiatives, please visit our website here.

If you don’t meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!

Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address.

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