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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Office of Central Procurement seeks a dynamic, hardworking, and highly skilled professional for the job of a Contracts Administrator, Senior Professional. This position will report to the Contract Manager and will perform most work activities in a large volume, fast paced, complex, detailed, and multifaceted environment. Primary responsibilities for this position will be reviewing and successfully negotiating contracts received by Central Procurement in accordance with university guidelines, along with being able to identify the complexity of contracts and escalate as needed. This position will also focus on a variety of other agreement types.
This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. This role requires on-site presence and working in the office at least one day per week. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience reviewing, modifying, and negotiating contracts
- Self-management skills and flexibility, including the ability to prioritize among a large number of responsibilities
- Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
- Proven ability to work both independently and as a team member, and to multitask and respond professionally in challenging situations
- Strong attention to detail, strong analytical, and organizational skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in identifying and resolving contract-related issues by collaborating with key stakeholders within an organization
- Experience with making decisions on contract-related requests from employees based on established University guidelines and protocols
- Experience using customer relationship management software (CRM) such as ServiceNow and learning new software tools
This position will need to communicate with various internal University compliance offices, including but not limited to:
- The Office of Ethics and Compliance
- Information Security
- The Office of Risk Management
- The Office of General Counsel
This position will be filled at the Senior Professional level.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $81,312.00 - $122,016.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience reviewing, modifying, and negotiating contracts
- Self-management skills and flexibility to prioritize among many responsibilities
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, multitask, and respond professionally in challenging situations
- Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and organizational skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience identifying and resolving contract-related issues with organizational stakeholders
- Experience making decisions on contract-related requests using established guidelines and protocols
- Experience using CRM software such as ServiceNow and learning new software tools
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
