Senior Procurement Contract Specialist

About the role

A Senior Procurement Contract Specialist plays a vital role within UVA Procurement Services by managing 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. This is a Hybrid position and is not eligible for remote work status. This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers; occasional travel may be required to attend meetings and programs.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Oversee contracts from initiation through execution, renewal, and termination.
• Track key deadlines (renewals, expirations, performance milestones) and proactively alert stakeholders.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assist with resolving disputes or performance concerns in coordination with Procurement leadership, suppliers, and University Counsel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or related field (or 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree).
• At least two years of relevant experience.
• No licensure required.

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).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CPCM, NCMA) preferred.

Benefits

This is an exempt level, benefited