Contracts Administrator

Ames Construction

$80K — $110K *
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3–7 years of experience in subcontract administration or construction management, particularly in heavy civil projects.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
  • Working knowledge of various construction and project agreements, including subcontracts and purchase orders.
  • Experience in heavy civil projects, including transportation and water management is preferred.
  • Familiarity with compliance practices related to subcontracting, such as insurance and prevailing wage regulations.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills, with an ability to analyze and manage contract risks.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare and administer project agreements and related documents from inception to closeout.
  • Ensure compliance with owner and regulatory requirements in subcontract terms.
  • Identify and communicate risks related to subcontract scope and regulatory compliance.
  • Maintain comprehensive records of subcontract files and compliance documentation.
  • Track deliverables and compliance requirements of subcontractors throughout project lifecycle.
  • Process change orders and amendments, coordinating with project teams.
  • Support dispute resolutions and audits by organizing necessary documentation.

Benefits

  • Discretionary bonus eligibility based on performance.
  • Generous retirement benefits including Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) and 401k match.
  • Comprehensive health benefits covering medical, dental, and vision at a low premium.
  • Paid time off and company holidays to promote work-life balance.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development within the company.
Full Job Description

Position Summary

The Contracts Administrator supports Ames’ heavy civil projects by managing project agreements, including subcontract, material, trucking, consulting, purchase order, change order, compliance, and closeout documentation. This role coordinates with project teams and key support groups to document requirements, identify potential risks early, and align obligations with project, owner, agency, and company requirements.

Essential Functions

  • Prepare, review, issue, and administer project agreements, purchase orders, amendments, and related contract documents from award through closeout.
  • Ensure subcontract terms include required owner, agency, federal, state, project-specific, and company flow-down provisions.
  • Identify and communicate subcontract risks related to scope gaps, indemnity, insurance, bonding, and compliance requirements.
  • Maintain complete subcontract files, commitment records, insurance logs, change order logs, lien releases, compliance documentation, and closeout records.
  • Track subcontractor deliverables, licenses, certifications, insurance, bonding, prevailing wage, certified payroll, DBE/SBE commitments, and other project compliance requirements.
  • Process subcontract change orders, amendments, back charges, notices, and supporting documentation in coordination with project teams.
  • Support subcontractor disputes, audits, and closeout negotiations by organizing records and preparing contract documentation.
  • Coordinate with Project Managers and Engineers, Estimators, Project Controls, Legal, Risk Management, Accounting, Procurement, Safety, Quality, and subcontractors.
  • Support document retention, project audits, and final closeout, including, lien releases, final payments, and other required closeout documents.

Qualifications

  • 3–7 years of experience in subcontract administration, contract administration, procurement, project controls, or construction management, in heavy civil construction.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent relevant work experience.
  • Working knowledge of construction contracts, project agreements, purchase orders, change orders, and owner flow-down requirements.
  • Experience supporting heavy civil projects such as transportation, water/wastewater, dams, reservoirs, earthwork, underground utilities, structures, or public agency work preferred.
  • Familiarity with subcontract scope review, change order management, back charges, claims support, cost control, and commitment tracking.
  • Knowledge of lien releases, insurance requirements, bonding, subcontractor prequalification, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and construction compliance practices.
  • Ability to identify and communicate contract risks related to scope gaps, indemnity, insurance, liquidated damages, safety, quality, and project-specific requirements.
  • Strong organizational, document management, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with contract management, document control, or project accounting systems preferred.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with Project Managers and Engineers, Estimators, Project Controls, Legal, Risk Management, Accounting, Procurement, and subcontractors.

Key Competencies

  • Attention to detail
  • Project agreement administration
  • Contract interpretation
  • Risk and compliance awareness
  • Document control and organization
  • Change management support
  • Analytical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication and cross-functional coordination

Working Conditions

  • Location – This position will work out of our Corona, CA Office.
  • Travel – This role may be expected to travel to regional offices.
  • Office environment – extensive sitting at desk and computer; some standing, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching required; ability to lift 5-20 pounds occasionally.   

Total Rewards

People are the most important asset at Ames Construction.

  • Base salary range is $80,000 - $110,000 a year, which varies depending on many factors, including experience, skills, and knowledge.
  • This role is eligible for a discretionary bonus.
  • Ames offers generous retirement benefits, including Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) participation and a 401k match.
  • Ames' non-craft health benefits package is designed so that our team members flourish, with medical, dental, and vision (all at one low premium), voluntary benefits, company holidays, and paid time off. Please see the Benefits section of our Careers page for more information.

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