Senior Procurement Contract Specialist

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia is seeking a Senior Procurement Contract Specialist to manage the full contract lifecycle—from drafting and negotiation through execution and renewal. The role liaises with Procurement, schools/units, and suppliers to ensure contracts are accurate, compliant, and aligned with UVA’s mission.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating contracts, managing lifecycle milestones, maintaining records in UVA systems, and coordinating with University Counsel and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Knowledge of contract law, procurement regulations, and higher-ed/state contracting frameworks.
• Strong negotiation skills balancing risk and value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for complex provisions.
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills for multiple contracts.
• Proficiency in contract management systems; experience with Workday or similar.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or related field; CPCM/NCMA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating contracts, proposals, and amendments to ensure accuracy and alignment with UVA business needs and policies.
• Overseeing compliance with laws, procurement requirements, and UVA policies; identify and mitigate risks with Procurement leadership and University Counsel.
• Managing contracts through initiation, execution, renewal, and termination; tracking deadlines and notifying stakeholders.
• Collaborating with schools/departments and suppliers to align deliverables with institutional goals and facilitate P2P execution.
• Maintaining accurate records for all contracts in UVA’s official system of record; ensuring transparency.
• Assisting with dispute resolution in coordination with Procurement leadership, suppliers, and University Counsel.

Skills

Contract law

Procurement regulations

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or related field

Certifications such as CPCM or NCMA preferred

Tools

Workday

Contract management systems

Job description

A Senior Procurement Contract Specialist plays a vital role within UVA Procurement Services bymanaging the full contract lifecycle, from drafting and negotiation through execution, renewal, and closeout. Serving as a key liaison between Procurement, schools/units, and suppliers, this role ensures that UVA contracts are accurate, compliant, and structured to deliver long-term value. This position contributes to UVA’s mission of stewardship, service, and collaboration by ensuring that contracts support academic, health, and research operations with integrity, efficiency, and accountability.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Contract Drafting and Negotiation:Prepare, review, and edit contracts, proposals, and amendments to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with UVA’s business needs and policies. Negotiate favorable terms (pricing, service levels, risk allocation) while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Compliance and Risk Management:Ensure agreements comply with applicable laws, Commonwealth of Virginia procurement requirements, and UVA policies. Identify and mitigate legal, financial, and operational risks through careful contract analysis and consultation with Procurement leadership and University Counsel.
• Contract Lifecycle Management:Oversee contracts from initiation through execution, renewal, and termination. Track key deadlines (renewals, expirations, performance milestones) and proactively alert stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration:Partner with schools, departments, and suppliers to align contract deliverables with institutional goals. Work closely with the Procurement services staff to ensure seamless P2P execution.
• Record Keeping:Maintain accurate and comprehensive records and documentation for all contracts, including drafts, revisions, and executed agreements in UVA official system of record, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
• Dispute Resolution:Assist with resolving disputes or performance concerns in coordination with Procurement leadership, suppliers, and University Counsel.

Essential Skills And Qualifications

• Knowledge of contract law, procurement regulations, and higher-ed/state contracting frameworks.
• Strong negotiation skills with ability to balance risk and value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to explain complex provisions to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple contracts and deadlines.
• Proficiency in contract management systems and enterprise tools (Workday or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or related field.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CPCM, NCMA) preferred.

This is a Hybrid position and is not eligible for remote work status.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree. 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: At least two years of relevant experience.

Licensure: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.