Contracts Manager Resume: Examples and Template in PDF

Negotiating contracts and managing complex deals sounds like a breeze for a seasoned contracts manager. But crafting a winning contracts manager resume?

That's a whole different ball game! It can be like crafting a contract itself. Every word counts. Time to sharpen your pencil and prove that the pen is mightier.

This guide will show you:

• A contracts manager resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a contracts manager resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a contracts manager resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a contracts manager to get any job you want.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Create your resume now

Use this resume template

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.

One of our users, Brittanya, had this to say:

Zety really helped me create the best resume possible. It pointed out how things could be better on my existing resume and suggested many things to be re-worded or removed.

Targeting other jobs instead? See these articles:

• Account Executive Resume Examples
• Executive Resume Examples
• Manager Resume Examples
• Assistant Manager Resume Examples
• Operations Manager Resume Examples
• Account Manager Resume Examples
• Supervisor Manager Resume Examples
• Director of Operations Resume Examples
• Business Resume Examples
• Resume Examples for All Jobs

Contracts Manager Resume Example

Now, take a look at our step-by-step guide to writing your own contracts manager resume:

1. Get Your Contracts Manager Resume Formatting Up To Scratch

Contracts managers ensure all contract parties fulfill their obligations. They can also be tasked with negotiating the contracts and be placed in charge of payments. A contracts manager's resume reflects their negotiation prowess and attention to detail, so it's crucial to get it right.

However, the first step in securing your contract will always be the same.

It starts with introducing proper formatting onto your resume:

• Include your up-to-date contact information in your resume header.
• Use white space and clear headings to outline individual sections of your resume clearly, and go for that superb level of readability.
• The reverse-chronological order is excellent for listing experience on a contracts manager resume.
• Choose a resume font that is professional and easy to read because the last thing you want is for your resume to be a tough negotiation between you and the recruiter’s weary eyes.
• Set the margins of your resume at 1 inch. Every little bit of extra attention to detail you can commit counts, both in your job and outside it.
• Save your resume in PDF to preserve its formatting.

Pro Tip: Shorter is sweeter when it comes to resumes. Recruiters typically believe that any resume longer than a page will likely cause more headaches than it's worth.

2. Prepare a Contracts Manager Resume Objective or Summary

Is that heading a headscratcher more confusing than some fine print at the bottom of a 92-page-long contract?

Objectives and summaries are two types of resume profiles—your chance to make a solid first impression and demonstrate your value as a top-notch contract professional.

Here's how to make your resume introduction stand out:

• If you have over 2 years of contract management experience, write a resume summary to highlight your most impressive achievements.
• If you're new to the field or transitioning from another career, a resume objective can help you secure opportunities to gain experience. Leverage your transferable skills to show value and exude ambition in your description.

Pro Tip: While this section comes first on your resume, don't stress. We recommend saving it for last—after compiling everything else, it can be the easiest to write.

3. Tailor Your Contracts Manager Resume Work Experience Section

According to the BLS, contracts managers often earn a six-figure salary pretty much from the start.

Sounds exciting, but a perk like that will require some hoops.

Here's how to get the most out of your work experience section:

• Use the reverse-chronological format—list your most recent job first and your first job last.
• Include the company name, job title, and years of employment for each role.
• Summarize your responsibilities and accomplishments in 4-6 concise bullet points. Older roles can have fewer.
• Use powerful words and numbers to make your achievements stand out and grab the recruiter's attention.

Remember, the key to success is to tailor your resume to the specific position. Customizing your resume shows your effort and dedication, improves your chances of passing ATS systems, and makes your day a little brighter.

And, if you’ve got limited work experience, don't fill this section with fluff. Instead, switch this section with the education section (coming up next) to showcase your strengths.

Read more: Irrelevant Experience on Resume: Is It Ever Necessary?

4. Polish Up Your Contracts Manager Resume Education Section

Education requirements for contracts managers vary, but a degree in contract law, business administration, or a related field is preferred and the minimum they expect to see.

But even if you don't have a formal education, don't let that hold you back. You can still make your education section shine. Here are our recommended tips and best practices for contracts managers:

• List relevant coursework and extracurricular activities from college or university.
• Highlight any internship experiences in the field obtained during your education.
• Use other college wins and achievements like a high GPA or diploma honors to emphasize that you are a relentless go-getter. The company would love to welcome you among their ranks.

Pro Tip: Don't let a lack of education bring you down. Instead, highlight transferable skills, relevant experience, and continuous learning. Education is a lifelong process, and constant learning is the key to staying ahead.

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Secure Their Attention by Tailoring Your Contracts Manager Skills Section

Many people lie on their resumes. Don’t do that.

You’d be breaching the essential and stringent Code of Ethics of the National Contracts Management Association by lying.

We’ll show you how to get it done right, but first, some sample skills for any contracts manager worth their salt:

Best Job Skills for Contracts Managers

• Negotiations
• Contract, analysis & review
• BIM 360
• Oracle Primavera
• Adobe Suite
• Risk management
• Financial analysis
• Project management
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Leadership skills
• Team management
• Vendor management
• Legal compliance
• Budgeting
• Procurement
• Stakeholder management
• Conflict resolution
• Regulatory knowledge
• Contract administration
• Strategic planning

But, before you get too far ahead of yourself and recreate a list of this size on your contracts manager resume and call it a day, keep reading.

In truth, your skills section should never be longer than a contract negotiation.

Maximize your value by laser-focusing on the skills listed in the job ad's “Must-Haves” or “Requirements” section.

Don't stress if you don't check every box. Just highlight the technical skills, hard skills, and soft skills that align with the company's ideal candidate.

This smart move will help you breeze past the ATS and increase your odds of securing that next round in the hiring process.

Read more: Resume Skills Recruiters Look for in 2023

6. Show Your Passion in the Miscellaneous Sections

In contract management, “close enough” and “never gonna happen” are synonymous. So why not add a cherry on top?

Whether you're a regular contributor to industry publications or simply have some impressive certifications, including a mix of personal interests, relevant training, volunteer work, or other accomplishments can be a game-changer.

Read more: What to Put on a Resume

7. Attach a Cover Letter With Your Contracts Manager Resume

And that's a wrap! Your contract management resume is now complete.

Congratulations, take a bow, and treat yourself to a well-deserved beverage. The phone will be ringing off the hook in no time.

But wait, why is it so deafeningly silent?

That's because you forgot one final component of your application—the cover letter.

While some recruiters may not consider it crucial, others sure do. Not including a cover letter may mean your resume won't even get a second glance.

Here's the formula for a winning cover letter for contracts managers:

• Choose the proper cover letter format that will lend itself to showing your skills the best.
• Start strong and hook the reader right away.
• Highlight your contract management skills, experience, and achievements with concrete numbers in the middle part.
• A good idea is to find something you value about the company and elaborate on why that quality is also important to you.
• End the cover letter confidently and with a clear call to action.
• Save your cover letter as a PDF with a professional file name before hitting the “send” button.

Pro Tip: Start prepping for the interview. Have a look at these 25+ Most Common Job Interview Questions.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Did I leave any crucial details out? Maybe you have your own contracts manager tips to share with the up-and-comers? Let’s talk in the comments, and thanks for reading!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

Our editorial team has reviewed this article to ensure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets worldwide.

Sources

• https://www.ncmahq.org/about/leadership/code-of-ethics
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/purchasing-managers-buyers-and-purchasing-agents.htm