The Pathways Program

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GOVT; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 67,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Institute of Government contracts team is seeking an experienced Contract Administrator to guide procurement processes for city projects in Plano, TX. You will coordinate bids, evaluate responses, and manage contracts to ensure value and compliance.

You will negotiate terms, monitor performance, and support staff with procurement best practices. A CPPB certification is preferred, with a strong emphasis on regulatory adherence and cross‑department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Accounting, or related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in public procurement including public contracting and contract negotiations.
• Professional Purchasing Certification (CPPB) or equivalent, or obtain within one year of appointment.
• Knowledge of public purchasing principles, practices, and laws.
• Ability to evaluate contractor performance and negotiate contracts.

Responsibilities

• Solicits bids and coordinates bid/award process with user departments and Legal, Risk Management and cooperatives.
• Evaluates bid responses and recommends bid awards.
• Maintains contract files and coordinates with departments and contractors; maintains relationships and resolves issues.
• Negotiates contracts to ensure maximum value and compliance with regulations.
• Monitors contractor performance and resolves contractual issues; maintains contract database.
• Provides expert guidance on processes and contract matters to staff.
• Assists with negotiation strategies and changes to prices and terms.
• Develops detailed project plans and budgeting with user departments.

Skills

Contract negotiations

Vendor evaluation

Public procurement

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• Salary: $66,926 to $100,395
• Date Posted: August 10, 2026
• Closing Date: August 24, 2026
• NIGP-CPP Certification: Preferred

Description

Great projects don't happen by accident. They happen because dedicated professionals know how to ask the right questions, solve problems, and build strong partnerships.

As a Contract Administrator, you'll play a key role in helping City departments bring capital improvement projects to life by guiding procurements, building strong partnerships, negotiating solutions, and ensuring contracts are successfully managed from beginning to end.

If you enjoy solving problems, collaborating with others, and making a meaningful impact through thoughtful public service, we'd love to have you on our team. Our Contract Management team encourages continuous learning through hands‑on experience, mentorship, professional development, and support for professional public certifications.

You’ll have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of impactful projects while collaborating with experienced procurement professionals in a team‑oriented environment.

The City's procurement program has also been nationally recognized with the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award for more than 31 consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation in public procurement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Solicits bids by coordinating the bid and award process with user departments, Legal, Risk Management and selected Cooperative Purchasing Groups. Attends bid openings, documents and evaluates vendor responses and prepares and distributes bid tabulations.

Evaluates and analyzes bid responses and works with user departments on recommendation for bid award.

Maintains contract and insurance files. Coordinates with departments and contractors; develops and maintains relationships; mediates and resolves contractual issues; offers solutions to problems; solicits new vendors; facilitates meetings and answers questions; provides assistance in gathering information and resolving contract and other issues.

Ensures maximum value for expenditures by negotiating contracts, conducting market research, providing cost and price analysis, adhering to and implementing regulations and policies, and documenting contract activity.

May coordinate performance measures that can be directly tied to the contract to evaluate vendor performance and adherence to contract provisions.

Evaluates contractor performance for compliance to contract terms and conditions by monitoring performance, reviewing contractor performance evaluations, discussing performance evaluations with contractors, and coordinating and resolving contractual issues.

Maintains contract database by creating and updating the status of existing contracts and any other pertinent information.

Functions as a subject matter expert in providing advice and expertise in managing processes, contractual matters, and customer/supplier performance issues.

Assists staff in developing negotiation strategies, assists with and/or conducts negotiations on contract prices, terms and conditions, modifications and change orders.

Identifies potential problems and presents desirable solutions to ensure timely and cost‑effective delivery.

May work with and assists any "user" departments to develop a detailed summary and project plan to identify needed staff, specific goals, work steps, tasks, and budgeting for a specific project.

Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

Public purchasing principles, practices, and methods; product descriptions and specifications;

material markets and price trends; public purchasing laws, policies, and procedures and how they affect government contracts; business practice and supply source selection; project management theories and methodology.

Skills and Abilities Evaluating contractor performance according to requirements; composing contract verbiage which accurately conveys specific terms and conditions required;

negotiating contracts and resolving disputes; communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; identifying, analyzing, and solving problems using a high degree of independent judgment and personal initiative; managing projects and with the use of project management tools.

Education Bachelor's degree in business, Accounting, or related field.

Experience Four (4) years of experience in public procurement which included public contracting and contract negotiations.

Any work‑related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above

is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements. Licenses and Certifications Must possess a Professional Purchasing Certification (CPPB) or equivalent or obtain certification within one (1) year of appointment.

Contact Info

Name: Cynthia Hogue
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Closing Date: August 24, 2026