Senior Principal Contract Specialist (Deal Strategy & Negotiation)

Step into a role where your contracts expertise drives business outcomes at scale. As a Senior Principal Contract Specialist, you will lead the strategy, negotiation, and execution of high-impact agreements that support Esri's most complex and visible programs. You will operate as a trusted advisor to leadership, shaping deal structures, influencing pricing and risk decisions, and ensuring successful outcomes across a diverse portfolio of agreements. In addition to owning critical contracts, you will provide leadership across the contracts function, mentoring and guiding a team of contract professionals while improving processes and elevating best practices in a highly collaborative environment.

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

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor junior and mid-level contract professionals
• Lead the full lifecycle of complex services contracts—from RFP through negotiation, execution, and closeout
• Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on contract structure, risk mitigation, and pricing strategy
• Navigate and resolve complex contractual issues across cross-functional teams
• Drive process improvements and best practices in contract management
• Support a diverse portfolio of agreements (commercial, public sector, federal, international)
• Apply knowledge of federal contracting frameworks (FAR/DFAR) where applicable

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressively complex contract administration experience
• Proven success negotiating and structuring a variety of agreement types
• Strong expertise in contract law, risk management, and procurement practices
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring and team development
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels
• US citizenship and ability and willingness to obtain a US Security Clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Political Science, or a related field

Qualifications

• Experience with federal contracting regulations (FAR/DFAR, SBA, EAR, ITAR)
• Familiarity with large systems integrator agreements
• Knowledge of professional services, cloud, and software licensing terms
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Political Science, Juris Doctorate, or related field

Benefits

• 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
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Pay

A reasonable estimate of the base salary range is $100,880 USD - $212,160 USD.