Job Requirements
As the different titles indicate, not all lease and contract administrator jobs are the same, and there are a few types or levels available. For a contract administrator to work in a company’s legal department, he or she will need a law degree plus some experience in the industry. Other jobs, such as the contracts coordinator, often work for more senior contracts administrators, providing them with assistance and backup when they are not there.
These senior-level administrators of course may be required to possess a law or related degree plus a minimum number of years of experience working with contracts in the oil and gas industries, usually three to five years. Some companies also look for contracts engineers or administrators that also have some technical ability or knowledge, such as surveying. Top contract administrator jobs such as senior contract administrator, come with more stringent and demanding requirements, such as up to ten years of experience as a contract administrator.
In Focus: Land Negotiations Can Be Tough
The minimum educational requirement for most contract administrator jobs is a bachelor’s degree in business, business law, or a related field. As mentioned, for some jobs a law degree and licensure is also required, or another technical degree or certification. It varies by job and employer. Additional qualities employers look for in this job include strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills. Some job postings also mention a good sense of humor or the ability to work in a high-stress environment.
Other requirements you might see on a contract administrator job posting include:
- Post-secondary education, preferably in business administration or similar degree
- Courses in contract administration or purchasing management an asset
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in supply chain management, preferably in contract administration
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Working knowledge of contract law
- Working knowledge of regulations and codes
- Excellent computer skills that includes Microsoft programs
- Can prepare comprehensive reports
- Surveyor’s degree or certification
- Two to three years of experience in offshore construction contracts
- Strong organizational skills
- Must be very accurate in document preparation
- Strong knowledge and experience of land/legal descriptions and land and mineral rights title/ownership
- Must be detail oriented, reliable, dependable, a team player, conscientious and professional
- Ability to produce quick and accurate results with limited data under tight deadlines
- Ability to juggle several concurrent projects
- Strong analytical skills
- Must be self-motivated and adaptable