Principal Contract Specialist

Esri • Vienna, VA

95d • $98,800 - $153,920

About The Position

Are you a seasoned contracts professional ready to lead and inspire? Join Esri's Professional Services division as a Principal Contract Specialist and take charge of high-impact agreements that support our mission to deliver transformative geospatial solutions. In this role, you'll manage complex contracts, mentor a growing team, and serve as a strategic advisor- shaping policy, guiding negotiations, and elevating contract management practices across the organization. You will be joining a team of experienced professionals who enjoy working together to support Esri's large customer base and internal customer requests. We love what we do, and we love Esri's philosophy. You will have a management team and colleagues who are here to support you. Technology is always changing, and our customers are finding new ways to utilize geospatial software to improve the world so your assignments are varied, challenging and fascinating. Esri has a Relocation Assistance Program and can provide support with relocating to the Vienna, VA area for this position.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively complex contract administration experience
• Demonstrated success in negotiating and managing a variety of contract types and structures
• Strong understanding of contract law, risk management, and procurement best practices
• Proven leadership and mentoring experience within a contracts or legal team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this posting. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US
• Bachelor's in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Political Science, or related field

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with federal contracting and large systems integrator terms and conditions
• Experience working with federal agencies and federal regulations including FAR/DFAR, SBA, EAR, ITAR, and Defense Security Service
• Familiarity with professional services contract terms, cloud computing terms, software licensing terms, software product development activities intellectual property protection, and subcontracting
• Master's in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Political Science, or related field

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of complex services contracts, including RFP analysis, proposal development, negotiation, execution, and closeout
• Provide strategic guidance to internal stakeholders on contract structuring, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable regulations and policies
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, offering insights on pricing strategies, terms, and negotiation approaches
• Collaborate cross-functionally with legal, finance, and project teams to resolve complex contractual issues and support program success
• Mentor and coach junior and mid-level contract professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence
• Support a variety of contract types, including commercial, public sector, international and federal agreements
• Apply knowledge of FAR/DFAR and federal procurement processes where applicable; federal experience is highly valued but not required

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree