Senior Contract Specialist

Penta Search Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Penta Search Group client in Houston is seeking a Senior Contract Specialist to lead end‑to‑end management of complex commercial agreements in the energy sector, with focus on EPC, MSA, PSA and related contracts. You will drive planning, drafting, redlining, negotiation, execution and post‑award administration to ensure alignment with business goals.

The role reports to the Director of Contracts and requires collaboration with legal, project management, finance, tax and technical teams in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 5+ years managing contracts in energy EPC/MSA/PSA environments.
• Strong negotiation and written/verbal communication skills.
• Experience in a matrixed organization with cross-functional delivery.

Responsibilities

• Own the full contract lifecycle from development to closeout and post‑award administration.
• Lead contracting strategy and pre‑award planning with business, legal, finance and technical teams.
• Drive development, review, and negotiation of EPC, MSA, PSA, and other contracts.
• Draft, redline, and refine language to capture negotiated terms and reduce risk.
• Ensure terms align with business objectives, policy, and procurement standards.
• Maintain version control and integrity of contract documentation.
• Administer contracts post‑award, tracking deliverables and milestones.
• Partner with stakeholders to resolve issues, disputes, and claims.
• Issue amendments, change orders, and notices in coordination with stakeholders.
• Monitor compliance and support internal audits and reviews.
• Keep contract records organized in the contract management system.
• Develop and roll out standard templates and playbooks for contract formation.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related discipline

NCMA Certification preferred

CPSM/CPCM/CSCP/CSCP (or equivalent) certifications

Job description

Our client, a growing organization in the North American energy sector, is hiring a Senior Contract Specialist to lead the end-to-end management of complex commercial agreements, with a focus on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Master Service Agreements (MSA), Professional Service Agreements (PSA), and other commercial contracts.

Reporting to the Director of Contracts, this role owns the full contract lifecycle: planning, drafting, redlining, negotiation, execution, and post-award administration. The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to keep contracts aligned with business goals, risk tolerance, and compliance standards. It's a strategic, hands‑on position that rewards sharp attention to detail and the ability to drive results in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full contract lifecycle, from development and execution through compliance tracking, modifications, and closeout.
• Lead contracting strategy and pre‑award planning alongside business owners, legal, project management, finance, tax, and technical teams.
• Drive the development, review, and negotiation of a broad portfolio of commercial agreements (EPC, MSA, PSA, and others).
• Draft, redline, and refine contract language to capture negotiated terms and reduce risk exposure.
• Keep terms aligned with business objectives, internal policy, and procurement standards.
• Maintain version control through negotiations and safeguard the integrity of contract documentation.
• Administer contracts post‑award, tracking deliverables, obligations, and milestones to ensure timely performance and compliance.
• Partner with stakeholders to resolve contract issues, disputes, and claims.
• Prepare and issue amendments, change orders, and formal notices in coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Monitor compliance and support internal audits and reviews.
• Keep contract records accurate and organized within the contract management system.
• Build and roll out standard templates and playbooks for contract formation and administration.
• Drive process improvements and tooling that strengthen contract management practices.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years managing contracts in the energy sector, with hands‑on EPC, PSA, and MSA experience.
• Proven success operating within a matrixed organization and delivering against cross‑functional objectives.
• Strong negotiation skills with excellent written and verbal communication.
• Collaborative style with the ability to build relationships across functions.
• Strategic mindset paired with strong problem‑solving.
• Solid grounding in contract law and procurement principles.

Preferred Requirements

• Membership or certification with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).
• Supply chain certifications such as CPSM, CCCM, CPCM, CSCP, MCIPS, or equivalent.