Contracts Manager

Jobtailor; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Ottawa, Canada, is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead defence and government contracts through full lifecycle. You will draft, negotiate, implement, and administer contracts, amendments, and related documents, while coordinating with cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes risk analysis, governance briefings, and ensuring compliance with government procurement policies, while supporting bids, subcontract management, and audits.

Qualifications

• University Degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a strategic business support function, including Procurement, Legal, Finance, Contracts Management, or related functions.
• At least 1 year of contract experience, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, implementing, and administering contracts, amendments, arisings, and other contractual documents.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience managing or supporting large-scale complex contracts.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a major projects environment.
• Working knowledge of government procurement policies and procedures.
• Negotiation skills and ability to effectively reach negotiated compromises.
• Experience managing defence contracts under the Defence Production Act and Government of Canada procurement processes.
• Requires a positive Controlled Goods assessment.
• Required to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance at the NATO Secret Level.
• Must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for access under the Canadian Export Control List, Canadian Controlled Goods Program, Canadian Industrial Security Program, ITAR, and/or EAR.
• Must be able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of defence and government contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle
• Draft, review, negotiate, implement, and administer contracts, amendments, arisings, and other contractual documents
• Support bids and proposal packages from bid/no-bid assessment through contract award, implementation, and ongoing contract management
• Prepare contractual assessments, risk analyses, and briefing materials for internal governance and gate approval processes
• Interpret contract requirements and advise project teams on contractual rights, obligations, risks, and compliance
• Participate in negotiations on commercial terms, pricing, delivery schedules, scope changes, and contract terms
• Liaise with Procurement, Finance, and other departments to flow down prime contract terms to suppliers and subcontractors
• Provide guidance and negotiation support on complex subcontract negotiations
• Build relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Monitor assigned programs through internal and customer-facing meetings, reviews, and governance forums
• Report risks, issues, commercial performance, and compliance matters to senior management and customers
• Promote compliance policies, ethical business conduct, and best practices
• Support resolution of contractual disputes, claims, change requests, and other commercial matters
• Drive continuous improvement within the Contracts function
• Support internal and external audits and maintain complete, accurate, auditable contract records
• Monitor contractual, commercial, and program risks, escalating issues and recommending solutions and corrective actions

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Risk analysis

Compliance

Security clearance awareness

Education

University degree or equivalent experience

Job description

• Manage a portfolio of defence and government contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle
• Draft, review, negotiate, implement, and administer contracts, amendments, arisings, and other contractual documents
• Support bids and proposal packages from bid/no-bid assessment through contract award, implementation, and ongoing contract management
• Prepare contractual assessments, risk analyses, and briefing materials for internal governance and gate approval processes
• Interpret contract requirements and advise project teams on contractual rights, obligations, risks, and compliance
• Participate in negotiations on commercial terms, pricing, delivery schedules, scope changes, and contract terms
• Liaise with Procurement, Finance, and other departments to flow down prime contract terms to suppliers and subcontractors
• Provide guidance and negotiation support on complex subcontract negotiations
• Build relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Monitor assigned programs through internal and customer-facing meetings, reviews, and governance forums
• Report risks, issues, commercial performance, and compliance matters to senior management and customers
• Promote compliance policies, ethical business conduct, and best practices
• Support resolution of contractual disputes, claims, change requests, and other commercial matters
• Drive continuous improvement within the Contracts function
• Support internal and external audits and maintain complete, accurate, auditable contract records
• Monitor contractual, commercial, and program risks, escalating issues and recommending solutions and corrective actions

Requirements

• University Degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a strategic business support function, including Procurement, Legal, Finance, Contracts Management, or related functions
• At least 1 year of contract experience, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, implementing, and administering contracts, amendments, arisings, and other contractual documents
• Prior experience presenting and communicating information to internal and external stakeholders regularly
• Fluency in English
• Experience managing or supporting large-scale complex contracts
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a major projects environment
• Working knowledge of government procurement policies and procedures
• Negotiation skills and ability to effectively reach negotiated compromises
• Experience managing defence contracts under the Defence Production Act and Government of Canada procurement processes
• Requires a positive Controlled Goods assessment
• Required to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance at the NATO Secret Level
• Must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for access under the Canadian Export Control List, Canadian Controlled Goods Program, Canadian Industrial Security Program, ITAR, and/or EAR
• Must be able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in contract management, including drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts within the defence and government sectors. Proficient in risk analysis, compliance, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure successful contract execution and governance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Contract Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Government Procurement Knowledge
• Risk Analysis
• Security Clearance

Hard Skills

• Contract Drafting
• Contract Review
• Contract Negotiation
• Contract Administration
• Risk Assessment
• Compliance Monitoring
• Bid Support
• Subcontract Management
• Commercial Performance Reporting
• Continuous Improvement

Soft Skills

• Communication Skills
• Relationship Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Problem Solving
• Team Collaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

• University Degree
• Controlled Goods Assessment
• Security Clearance at NATO Secret Level

Industry Keywords

• Defence Contracts
• Government Contracts
• Procurement Policies
• Canadian Export Control List
• Canadian Controlled Goods Program
• Canadian Industrial Security Program
• ITAR
• EAR