Contracts Specialist

Ballard Marine Construction•Washougal, WA

28d

About The Position

Ballard Marine Construction is a specialty marine and underwater contractor headquartered in Washougal, WA, delivering complex projects across North America. The work we perform is demanding, high-risk, and highly technical — which makes contracts, compliance, and risk management critical to our success. We’re selective about who we bring onto the team because our culture depends on it. Accountability, ownership, and integrity aren’t optional. As a Contracts Specialist, you’ll work alongside professionals who value your attention to detail, rely on your analysis, and expect you to help uphold the standards that protect our projects and our business. Ballard is fast-paced and built for people who take pride in doing things right. “Good enough” isn’t good enough especially when reviewing contract terms, assessing risk, and supporting negotiations. This is a place for professionals with grit those who stay sharp under pressure, navigate complexity with sound judgment, and take ownership of their work. You’ll collaborate with driven, trustworthy teammates across Operations, Estimating, Risk, and Legal who depend on clear guidance and thoughtful contract review. Ballard is not a place to coast. It’s a place to contribute. If you’re a contracts professional who wants meaningful involvement in contract review, risk evaluation, negotiation support, and process improvement not just administrative processing you’ll thrive here. At Ballard, your work directly supports how we pursue, secure, and execute projects. You’ll get out of it exactly what you put into it. Let’s go. Under the direction of General Counsel and working alongside members of the CRL team, the Contracts Specialist has responsibilities related to drafting and negotiating project vendor contracts, vendor relations, forms management/design, process development, and oversight of vendor compliance. Additionally, the Contracts Specialist will provide support to CRL team members to assist in carrying out the department’s initiatives.

Requirements

An associate’s degree in business or a related field. The degree may be substituted with a minimum of 5+ years of practical experience in contract review, drafting and negotiation.
3-5 years of experience in contract administration or a related field
Strong knowledge of contract management processes, and contract drafting.
Knowledge of contract terms and conditions
Experience in contract negotiations, reviewing and redlining.
Ability to work with and effectively communicate, orally and in writing, to all levels within the organization.
Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced team environment with a commitment to reach goals and meet deadlines.
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and well-organized.
Demonstrates proficiency in MS Office and relevant software applications.
High-level computer skills with the ability to quickly learn new applications.
Ability to lift twenty-five (25) pounds, bend, stoop, and work safely around equipment, materials, supplies, and other items to be handled.
Ability to work at a computer for multiple hours.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with government contracting regulations is a plus

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate project vendor agreements, including assuring appropriate flow‑down terms, insurance requirements, and risk allocation, are included.
Review and redline client agreements, identify key risks and required commitments in Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and bid terms and prepare contract risk memos.
Conduct negotiations with clients and vendors and coordinate internal review/approvals with General Counsel, Risk Manager, Operations, and Estimating as needed.
Support Estimating and Operations in understanding and administering contract requirements, including notices, change management, documentation expectations, and post‑award obligations.
Maintain contract records and workflow tracking through execution, including version control, approval routing, and executed contract filing.
Support forms management and continuous improvement by maintaining approved templates/clauses and recommending process efficiencies, including LEAN initiatives.
Support development of CRL policies, procedures, workflows, and training materials; participate in cross‑training and act as a backup in related areas as needed.
Other duties as required.