Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your adeptness at contracts management alongside your negotiation and compliance skills is a significant challenge. By turning to our guide, you'll discover the strategies and examples necessary to construct a CV that highlights your expertise and captures the attention of prospective employers.
What information should you include in your contracts manager CV? Learn how to create your interview-landing and job-winning profile with our bespoke guide on:
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche contracts manager role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Resume examples for contracts manager
Explore additional contracts manager cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Contracts Manager in Aerospace
- Strategic Career Advancement - Edward Mitchell’s career progression from Junior Project Manager to Aerospace Project Manager reflects strategic growth. His move through reputable companies like Airbus, BAE Systems, and Rolls-Royce indicates a strong trajectory in the aerospace sector. This showcases an ability to take on increasing responsibilities, leading substantial projects, and managing significant budgets over time.
- Industry-Specific Methodology Proficiency - The CV highlights Edward's proficiency with industry-specific methodologies such as Earned Value Management, Critical Path Method, and NPV and IRR analysis. These tools underscore his technical depth and capability to enhance project efficiency and forecasting, which are crucial for aerospace projects where precision and adherence to timelines are paramount.
- Leadership and Cross-Functional Engagement - The document demonstrates Edward’s leadership abilities by detailing his experience leading cross-functional teams and facilitating critical management reviews. His achievements in aligning team objectives and improving communication underlie his skills in fostering teamwork, adapting strategies, and enhancing overall project delivery, which are vital for successful project management.
Junior Contracts Manager in Manufacturing
- Defines Career Growth and Expertise - Harry Williams' CV accurately outlines his rapid professional advancement within the supply chain sector, moving from an intern role at PepsiCo to a management position at the Associated British Foods plc. This trajectory displays his ability to adapt and excel quickly, indicative of strong leadership and industry acumen.
- Showcases Soft Skills and Strategic Leadership - The CV effectively underscores Harry's proficiency in collaboration and strategic thought leadership, demonstrated by his ability to optimize operations and foster innovation. His executive role involves significant vendor management and the nurturing of cross-functional team relations, showcasing his adept interpersonal skills.
- Highlights Industry-Specific Achievements and Impact - The CV provides evidence of significant business impacts, such as a 15% reduction in outsourcing costs and a 25% improvement in delivery times. These achievements reflect his ability to leverage data analysis and contract negotiation skills to drive tangible business improvements, enhancing both efficiency and quality within the supply chain.
Assistant Contracts Manager in Healthcare
- Structured Career Progression - Isabella Watson's CV displays a well-defined career trajectory, progressing through roles that build upon each other within the healthcare sector. Starting from a Clinical Support Worker at BMI Healthcare to advancing to a Phlebotomist and then Healthcare Assistant, this path illustrates steady growth and increasing responsibility, reflecting her dedication and adaptability in the field.
- Unique Skill Combination - The CV stands out by presenting a diverse set of specialized skills, such as phlebotomy and electrocardiogram procedures, intertwined with essential organizational and data management abilities. This blend of technical and administrative expertise is crucial for effective patient care and clinic operations, signifying Isabella's role as a versatile asset in healthcare environments.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Results - Isabella's CV highlights significant achievements with a focus on measurable improvements, such as increasing patient satisfaction scores by 20% and reducing stock shortages by 25%. These figures underscore her capability to enhance operational efficiency and patient care, demonstrating the practical impact of her initiatives in tangible terms.
Lead Contracts Manager in Oil and Gas
- Career Progression and Industry Impact - Ethan Palmer's career trajectory is marked by clear growth and increasing responsibility in the oil and gas sector. Transitioning from an Environmental Compliance Officer at Shell UK to a Programme Manager at TotalEnergies, and eventually becoming a Senior Operations Manager at BP, showcases his upward movement within the industry. This progression not only reflects a deepening expertise but also his capacity to influence significant regulatory and operational improvements in major companies.
- Use of Technical Skills in Leadership - Demonstrating a strong command of industry-specific skills such as regulatory compliance and pipeline safety, Ethan effectively combines technical expertise with leadership capabilities. Managing a team of 15 inspectors at BP and leading cross-functional projects highlight his ability to direct complex operations while ensuring adherence to safety and environmental standards. These competencies are indicative of his proficiency in guiding teams and projects towards achieving substantial business and environmental goals.
- Achievements with Strategic Impact - Ethan Palmer's CV is rich with achievements that have a tangible impact on business operations and environmental sustainability. The strategic initiatives he led resulted in a 20% reduction in operational costs and a remarkable 50% reduction in emissions. Such accomplishments underscore not only his effectiveness in implementing cost-saving measures but also his commitment to advancing sustainable practices within the oil and gas sector, aligning with industry needs for environmental responsibility.
By Role
Contracts Manager in Construction
- Career Progression Demonstrates Growth and Leadership - Max Wright's career path reflects a strong upward trajectory, visible through seamless transitions from Site Manager to Project Manager, and then to Senior Contracts Manager. Each step marks increased responsibilities and more significant leadership roles, underscoring a consistent rise in the construction industry.
- Impressive Array of Achievements with Direct Business Impact - The CV details several achievements linked to business outcomes, such as reducing procurement costs by 15% and increasing customer satisfaction by 25%. These achievements highlight Wright's ability to drive profitability and enhance the client experience, making their impact on the business clear and substantial.
- Effective Presentation and Structured Information - This CV stands out for its efficient organization and clarity. Each section, from professional experience to education and skills, is distinctly categorized, allowing for easy navigation. Bulleted lists deliver information concisely, ensuring that key accomplishments and skills are easily digestible at a glance.
Contracts Manager for Government Projects
- Clear Structure and Conciseness - The CV is organized in a manner that highlights key components like experience, skills, and education, allowing for ease of navigation. Each section is concise, focusing on essential details that effectively communicate the candidate's expertise in securing government contracts and managing complex projects.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Max Wright's career demonstrates a clear progression from Contracts Coordinator to Government Contract Manager. This trajectory not only showcases increasing responsibilities and leadership roles but also reflects industry versatility, moving from healthcare to IT and construction sectors.
- Impactful Achievements - The CV emphasizes achievements with a substantial business impact, such as securing high-value contracts and increasing client satisfaction by 30%. These accomplishments highlight the candidate’s ability to drive significant business growth and operational improvements in diverse environments.
Contracts Manager in Information Technology
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV provides a well-organized structure, leading with a succinct summary that sets the tone for the candidate's expertise in strategic sourcing and procurement. The information is presented clearly, ensuring each section is easily digestible, with succinct bullet points offering quick insights into accomplishments and responsibilities.
- Progressive Career Growth - Olivia Turner's career trajectory showcases significant progression within the technology procurement field, marked by steady promotions and increased responsibilities. Transitioning from roles like Procurement Analyst at BT Group to Technology Procurement Lead at Accenture, it reflects a clear upward movement and adaptability within the industry.
- Emphasis on Impactful Achievements - The CV highlights notable achievements with hard metrics, such as cost savings of £200,000 annually and increases in contract compliance by 25%. These figures not only reflect personal success but also underline substantial contributions to organizational goals, reinforcing the candidate's ability to drive business results.
Contracts Manager in Renewable Energy
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is logically organized with clear headings and concise bullet points, making it easy to navigate and understand the candidate's qualifications and achievements without overwhelming the reader.
- Consistent Upward Career Trajectory - Charlie Thomas's career progression from Project Engineer to Project Manager showcases a consistent growth trajectory in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing their increasing responsibilities and leadership capacities over time.
- Industry-Specific Technical Depth - The use of advanced project management software tools and techniques, particularly in optimizing workflows and risk management, highlights a deep understanding and application of industry-specific methodologies crucial for solar energy projects.
Contracts Manager in Telecommunications
- Structured and Focused Content Presentation - The CV stands out with its clear and concise structure, making it easy to navigate and understand. Each section is well-defined, with bullet points highlighting key responsibilities and achievements, ensuring that the reader can quickly ascertain the candidate's major contributions and areas of expertise.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Lily Cooper's career growth is clearly mapped out, demonstrating a natural progression from Project Coordinator to Construction Manager. This upward trajectory highlights her consistent advancement within the construction industry, showcasing her capability to take on more complex and leadership-oriented roles over time.
- Emphasis on Business-Relevant Achievements - The CV effectively communicates the impact of Lily's work through quantifiable achievements. By detailing accomplishments like a 20% productivity increase, a 40% reduction in onsite incidents, and 95% client satisfaction, the CV underscores her ability to significantly contribute to the company's operational success and client relations.
Contracts Manager for Non-profit Organisations
- Clarity and Structure - The CV is exceptionally well-structured, offering a clear and concise presentation of each section. The use of bullet points for roles and achievements ensures readability and allows the key details to stand out, making it easy for potential employers to quickly glean relevant information.
- Career Growth and Consistency - George Johnson's career trajectory shows a clear progression in project management and advocacy roles. It highlights steady growth from a Community Engagement Officer to a Project Manager, demonstrating his increasing scope of responsibilities and leadership capabilities at larger organizations.
- Advocacy and Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV showcases a profound dedication to advocacy within the non-profit sector, particularly focused on aging-related initiatives. This is illustrated through campaigns and programs led by Johnson that significantly improved service access for elderly communities, depicting his specialized understanding and effectiveness in this field.
Contracts Manager for International Projects
- Career Growth through Strategic Roles - Jacob's CV clearly outlines a progressive career trajectory, showcasing his development from a Project Planning Coordinator to a Technical Project Lead within a single year. This swift advancement highlights his capability to take on complex responsibilities and deliver impactful results in the nuclear projects sector.
- Technical Depth in Nuclear Industry - The use of industry-specific tools and methodologies such as Primavera and adherence to nuclear industry standards emphasizes Jacob’s technical proficiency. This focus on specialized knowledge is crucial for roles in nuclear projects, underscoring his ability to manage and execute tasks with precision and compliance.
- Communication and Leadership Excellence - Throughout the experience section, the CV illustrates Jacob's strength in soft skills, particularly in cross-departmental collaboration and customer service. His ability to facilitate meetings and coordinate stakeholders showcases his aptitude for fostering productive relationships and maintaining high levels of communication across varying levels.
Contracts Manager in Automotive Industry
- Structured presentation of experience and growth - The CV is well-organized, detailing a clear career trajectory that demonstrates Sophia's progression from a Dealer Auditor to an Automotive Standards Auditor. This structure not only shows her capability to grow within the industry but also underscores her consistently increasing responsibilities over time.
- Technical prowess in automotive auditing - Sophia’s CV highlights specific industry-relevant methodologies and tools. By incorporating digital tools to streamline audits and developing comprehensive reporting systems, she demonstrates a thorough understanding of technical processes specific to her field, emphasizing her role in enhancing operational efficiency.
- Impact-driven achievements with tangible results - The CV effectively presents Sophia’s achievements with a focus on substantial business impacts, such as a 30% improvement in audit efficiency and a 95% compliance adherence rate. These metrics not only illustrate her contribution to process improvements but also convey the direct business benefits resulting from her initiatives.
Contracts Manager for Infrastructure Projects
- Structured Content Presentation - The CV carefully organizes information into clearly defined sections, including experience, education, skills, and additional qualifications, which enhances readability and allows hiring managers to locate key details quickly. The bullet-point format used in the experience section effectively highlights achievements and responsibilities, ensuring conciseness without sacrificing substance.
- Career Progression in Engineering - Isaac Scott's career trajectory shows a steady advancement within the rail infrastructure engineering industry, from starting as a Site Engineer to moving up to an Assistant Project Manager role. This path indicates a commitment to the field, showcasing growth in both responsibility and expertise over time, while consistently working with leading companies like Balfour Beatty, Network Rail, and the Costain Group.
- Emphasis on Industry-Specific Skills and Technology - The CV highlights Isaac’s proficiency in advanced planning and management tools, such as those used for project scheduling and risk management. Specific mention of technical skills like contract administration and procurement, backed by certifications like "Mastering Project Management with Microsoft Project," reveals his technical depth and preparedness to handle large-scale rail infrastructure projects.
Contracts Manager in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Structured and Concise Presentation - This CV stands out due to its organized and streamlined format, making it easy for readers to quickly identify key information. The layout is logical, with a clear career progression, skills, education, and notable achievements, all meticulously documented, ensuring clarity and ease of navigation.
- Demonstrates a Clear Career Growth Trajectory - Finley's growth from a Commissioning Engineer to a Lead Commissioning Manager shows a clear upward trajectory in their career. This progression illustrates not only their technical skills but also a strategic shift towards leadership roles, affirming their capability to manage complex, high-value projects in the building services sector.
- Focus on Cross-Functional Experience and Stakeholder Engagement - The CV emphasizes Finley's adeptness in working across various functions and engaging stakeholders effectively. Such experiences are highlighted through achievements that reveal strengthening stakeholder relationships, cross-functional team collaboration, and success in securing high-value contracts, underscoring the candidate's adaptability and influential presence in diverse professional settings.
Contracts Manager in Real Estate
- Impressive career progression - Alfie Edwards showcases a strong career trajectory in the real estate and property law sectors, advancing from a Property Contracts Advisor at E.ON UK to a Contracts Manager at Shell UK. This progression reflects his growing expertise, leadership abilities, and increasing responsibilities in managing complex legal agreements and projects involving EV infrastructure.
- Expertise in EV infrastructure projects - The CV stands out with specific references to EV charger site acquisitions and deployment training. Edwards has led negotiations for over 100 such sites, highlighting his specialized skills in navigating the unique challenges associated with EV infrastructure expansion and legal frameworks, demonstrating vital industry-specific knowledge.
- Leadership in stakeholder collaboration - Throughout the CV, Edwards emphasizes his ability to lead cross-functional teams and enhance collaboration with senior stakeholders, external bodies, and Distribution Network Operators. His skills in stakeholder management and project communication have been pivotal in minimizing downtime for strategic projects, showcasing his leadership beyond traditional legal roles.
Contracts Manager for Defence Contracts
- Clear and Effective Structure - The CV is well-organized into distinct sections, each clearly labeled, which allows for quick navigation and easy identification of skills, experience, and qualifications. This concise presentation ensures that key details are easily accessible to the reader.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Isabella Watson exemplifies a clear career progression from Contract Specialist to Senior Commercial Manager. This demonstrates her ability to grow and take on more responsibilities, moving from operational roles to a strategic leadership position in a leading company like Vodafone.
- Industry-Specific Proficiency - The CV highlights a deep understanding and application of industry-specific methodologies and tools, such as DEFCONs, CDRLs, and JSPs, especially pertinent in the defense sector. This knowledge is crucial for negotiating and managing extensive commercial contracts.
Contracts Manager in Retail Industry
- Clarity and Comprehensive Structure - The CV is exceptionally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow from personal details through to professional experience and education. Each section is concise, yet sufficiently detailed, allowing readers to quickly grasp the candidate's capabilities and career progression.
- Notable Career Growth Across Industry Leaders - The candidate's career progression is highlighted by consistent promotions and increasing responsibilities, reflecting a successful trajectory from a Digital Marketing Coordinator to a Senior Brand Marketing Manager at prestigious companies like Hasbro and Unilever. This upward movement showcases both professional growth and trust earned in significant roles within top-tier organizations.
- Strong Emphasis on Cross-Functional Skills and Collaboration - The CV effectively underscores the candidate's ability to work across departments and with external partners, revealing a knack for collaboration. This is particularly notable in the achievements section, where partnerships and cross-departmental efforts are pivotal in realizing impressive campaign results.
Contracts Manager in Logistics and Supply Chain
- Structured and Concise Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized, with clearly labeled sections that allow for easy navigation through the candidate's career history and qualifications. Each entry under the experience section is concise, with bullet points summarizing key achievements and responsibilities, ensuring that crucial information is communicated effectively without overwhelming the reader.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Alexander Jackson's career path demonstrates a clear progression from Contracts and Procurement Manager to Senior Contracts Manager over the years, reflecting the acquisition of growing responsibilities and expertise. This gradual advancement shows his capability to manage increasingly complex roles within the supply chain and contract management domain, highlighting his dedication and competence in his field.
- Unique Industry Expertise and Methodologies - The CV highlights Alexander's deep industry-specific knowledge, particularly in the application of NEC contracts, a specialized area within contract management. His experience with integrating new software tools to streamline processes and his courses in advanced NEC3 contract management further underscore his technical depth and commitment to enhancing his skill set within this niche area.
Contracts Manager in Financial Services
- Structured and Detailed Presentation - Olivia's CV is meticulously organized, beginning with a concise and compelling summary. Each section flows logically, providing a clear roadmap of her career path and achievements. The use of bullet points enhances readability and ensures that critical information is easily digestible.
- Progressive Career Growth - Olivia has demonstrated significant career advancement, moving from a Consultant at PwC to a Senior Manager at Deloitte. This trajectory highlights her capacity to take on increasing levels of responsibility and complexity within the financial services and wealth management sectors.
- Focus on Technological Integration - The CV underscores Olivia's proficiency in leveraging technology to drive operational transformation. Her experience in implementing bespoke digital solutions and conducting workshops for technology integration speaks to her deep understanding of the latest tools and methodologies critical to the industry.
Contracts Manager in Food and Beverage Industry
- Comprehensive Career Pathway - Matilda Hunter’s CV effectively illustrates a clear career trajectory, demonstrating progressive growth from a Cost Accountant to a Senior Cost Analyst in prominent establishments such as The Ritz London and The Savoy. This evolution highlights her growing expertise and responsibility in cost management within the hospitality sector.
- Strong Foundation in Financial Reporting and Systems - The CV emphasizes her proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adaco, Micros, and SAP. These tools, alongside the introduction of new financial reporting software, showcase her capability in implementing technical solutions that optimize operational efficiency and financial accuracy.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - Matilda’s CV gives detailed accounts of significant achievements, including leading initiatives that resulted in sizable cost reductions and inventory accuracy improvements. These successes underscore her efficacy in driving business results that enhance profitability and operational soundness.
How complex should the format of your contracts manager CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your contracts manager CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:
- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a contracts manager CV
- Contract Management Experience to show relevant employment history and achievements.
- Negotiation and Communication Skills to demonstrate ability to handle discussions and contracts.
- Education and Certifications to highlight relevant academic background and professional qualifications.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation to reflect ability to foresee and manage potential contract issues.
- Industry Knowledge and Expertise to showcase understanding of sector-specific contract requirements.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your understanding of legal terms and contract law by providing examples of past contract negotiations and resolutions you’ve successfully managed, as this demonstrates your ability to safeguard the interests of the organisation.
- Emphasise your organisational skills by detailing how you have effectively managed contract portfolios, ensuring all documents are up-to-date and compliant with regulations and company policies.
- Illustrate your excellent communication and interpersonal abilities with instances where you have collaborated with cross-functional teams to align contract terms with business objectives.
- Showcase your analytical skills through descriptions of how you’ve developed contracts, assessed risks, and provided mitigation strategies that protect the company and promote good vendor relationships.
- Demonstrate your leadership skills by mentioning any experience in supervising a contracts team, training new team members, or implementing processes that have improved the contracts management workflow within a company.
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Making a good first impression with your contracts manager CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for contracts manager:
- Contracts Manager | NEC3 & NEC4 Expert | RICS Accredited | 10+ Years in Infrastructure Development
- Senior Contracts Manager | International Procurement | MSc Construction Management | Chartered Professional | 15+ Years Experience
- Junior Contracts Manager | BSc Quantity Surveying | Focus on Commercial Property | CIARB Member | 3 Years Experience
- Associate Contracts Manager | Risk Mitigation and Compliance | LL.M. Construction Law | 5+ Years Industry Insight
- Principal Contracts Manager | Strategic Negotiator | MCIPS Certified | Complex Programme Delivery | 20 Years Expertise
- Lead Contracts Manager | Cost Control and Reduction Specialist | Dual Degree in Law & Management | 12 Years Achievements
Choosing your opening statement: a contracts manager CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a contracts manager job:
- With over a decade of expertise in complex contract negotiations and management, this resilient professional has consistently accelerated the revenue growth of multinational IT corporations through strategic contract oversight and risk mitigation, culminating in a recent success securing a £90m government contract.
- Energetic and detail-oriented, this seasoned professional boasts 15 years' experience in procurement and contracts management within the construction sector, having expertly steered multi-million-pound projects to completion on time and under budget, demonstrating a strong track record in supplier relationship management and cost reductions.
- Transferring a rich background in corporate law and compliance from the legal industry, this individual is eager to pivot their analytical and meticulous contract drafting skills towards enhancing the contractual frameworks of a dynamic sales-oriented environment, armed with a profound understanding of commercial legal principles garnered over 8 years.
- Adept at corporate communications with a 7-year tenure in public relations, this professional aims to transfer their negotiation and stakeholder engagement capabilities into contract management, fuelled by a passion for clear contractual language and a proven knack for crafting win-win situations in high-stakes dealings.
- Seeking to apply a fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to the field of contract management, this newly minted graduate from the University of London armed with an LLB and spirited ambition aims to champion risk assessment and hone their expertise in orchestrating solid contractual agreements in a growth-centric corporate setting.
- An ambitious individual keen on cultivating a specialized career in contracts management, intent on utilising their strong analytical and organizational skills developed during a BSc in Management from King's College, to foster robust contracts that underpin the strategic initiatives and sustainable growth of an esteemed enterprise.
How to meet job requirements with your contracts manager CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed a portfolio of over 50 contracts worth £100 million, ensuring all agreements adhered to company policies and legal requirements.
- Negotiated contract terms and conditions with suppliers and partners, successfully reducing costs by 15% on average per annum.
- Led a team of 8 contract specialists, providing training and development to improve departmental efficiency and accuracy.
- Implemented a new contract management system that increased document retrieval times by 30% and improved audit compliance.
- Collaborated with legal, finance, and procurement departments to streamline contract processes, reducing average contract turnaround time by 20%.
- Reviewed and updated standard contract templates in line with changing regulations, mitigating risk and ensuring ongoing compliance.
- Resolved contractual disputes through effective negotiation strategies, preserving relationships while upholding firm's interests.
- Conducted regular risk assessments on contractual obligations, identifying potential issues and proposing mitigation strategies to senior management.
- Authored detailed reports on contract performance metrics, providing insights that influenced strategic decision-making at the executive level.
Work Experience
Senior Contracts Manager
BAE Systems PLC
01/2018-Ongoing
- Headed the negotiation of complex contracts with suppliers, achieving a 10% reduction in costs while ensuring compliance with UK legislation.
- Implemented a new contract management system, leading to a 20% increase in process efficiency and reduction in administrative errors.
- Managed a team of 5 contract specialists, overseeing the contract lifecycle for over 300 contracts annually with multinational entities.
Work Experience
Contracts Management Lead
Rolls-Royce Holdings
03/2014-12/2017
- Devised a strategic approach for contract renewals, maintaining relationships with key partners, which resulted in a 95% retention rate.
- Led a cross-departmental team to deliver a complex £30m defence contract, which improved the company's market position.
- Collaborated with legal teams to mitigate risks, introducing a compliance tracking system that reduced legal disputes by 40%.
Work Experience
Contracts Supervisor
G4S Secure Solutions
07/2012-02/2014
- Introduced a vendor performance evaluation process, enhancing partnerships and driving a 15% improvement in service quality.
- Negotiated multi-year contracts with key suppliers, securing stable pricing and supply that supported business continuity plans.
- Drafted and reviewed over 200 commercial agreements, providing expert advice to reduce costs and protect organizational interests.
Work Experience
Contracts Administration Manager
Carillion
06/2009-06/2012
- Successfully managed contract portfolios for high-value construction projects, keeping budgets within a 5% variance of projected costs.
- Liaised with public sector clients to secure tenders worth over £50m, significantly contributing to company growth.
- Implemented staff training on contract law principles, resulting in a 30% decrease in non-compliance issues.
Work Experience
IT Contracts Manager
Capita PLC
05/2013-11/2016
- Managed successful contract negotiations for IT services, helping the company transition to cloud-based solutions within budget constraints.
- Developed a risk management strategy for contract liabilities, avoiding potential losses of up to £2m.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration to ensure contractual obligations were met, directly contributing to a 25% increase in project delivery efficiency.
Work Experience
Strategic Contracts Manager
Serco Group
08/2016-10/2020
- Coordinated with international vendors to streamline equipment procurement, supporting the expansion of operations into new markets.
- Championed the adoption of sustainable procurement practices in contracting, aligning with company CSR goals and reducing environmental impact.
- Oversaw the contractual aspects of large mergers and acquisitions, ensuring seamless integration of processes and systems.
Work Experience
Global Contracts Manager
Smiths Group PLC
02/2010-03/2013
- Orchestrated the turnaround of a failing contract framework, salvaging client relationships and securing future business ventures.
- Drove a company-wide initiative to improve contract profitability, harnessing data analytics to pinpoint and act on cost-saving opportunities.
- Provided authoritative guidance for complex international contracts, leading to successful market entries in three new countries.
Work Experience
Contracts Excellence Manager
Meggit PLC
11/2015-08/2021
- Facilitated the overhaul of legacy contract processes, integrating new technologies that cut processing time by 35%.
- Conducted rigorous contract assessments that identified and rectified non-performing areas, boosting service delivery by 20%.
- Driven by a commitment to excellence, steered the contracting team through a period of regulatory change, ensuring 100% compliance with new industry standards.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your contracts manager CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your contracts manager CV:
HARD SKILLS
Contract negotiation
Contract law
Risk management
Procurement
Project management
Compliance monitoring
Financial analysis
Strategic planning
Vendor management
Legal documentation
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Attention to detail
Negotiation
Problem-solving
Leadership
Organisational skills
Decision-making
Teamwork
Adaptability
Stress management
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Further professional qualifications for your contracts manager CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your contracts manager CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional contracts manager CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
