Contract Director

SpectrumCareers; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

SpectrumCareers seeks a Director of Contracts to provide strategic and hands-on leadership for contracts across defense and government programs. You will oversee contract administration, subcontracting, and procurement, guiding a team of contracts professionals and partnering with executive leadership to ensure compliant and effective contract execution.

The role focuses on risk management, policy development, and proactive negotiations, with emphasis on FAR/DFARS, CPSR and audit readiness.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive contracts experience in defense/government contracting.
• 5+ years in a senior contracts leadership role or supervisory capacity.
• Strong knowledge of FAR and DFARS regulations and federal acquisition requirements.
• Experience with Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR).
• Experience with proposal development, including cost and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of government contract types (cost-reimbursable, T&M, FFP).
• Ability to interpret and negotiate complex contract terms and clauses.
• Experience supporting contract compliance, audits, and documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Contracts function, including personnel, processes, policies, procedures, and departmental objectives.
• Mentor a team of contracts professionals while prioritizing workload and ensuring effective distribution of tasks.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle from initial review and negotiation through administration, modification, and closeout.
• Provide contractual guidance to program and executive leadership on terms, obligations, risk, funding, and execution strategies.
• Lead negotiations for new contracts, modifications, extensions, and other contractual agreements.
• Oversee contract-related documentation, approvals, funding, procurement activities, property requirements, and audit files.
• Support proposal efforts, including contract reviews, cost and pricing analysis, certifications, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, DCMA, DCAA, CPSR, data rights, and export control requirements.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready contract files, reporting tools, and documentation.
• Partner with program, finance, procurement, and executive leadership to address complex contractual and business issues.
• Support internal and external audits and government compliance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Contract management

Negotiation

Compliance

Risk analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

FAR/DFARS knowledge

CPSR experience

Job description

The Director of Contracts provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the Contracts function, overseeing contract administration, subcontracting, and procurement activities across a portfolio of government and commercial programs. This position leads a team of contracts professionals, develops policies and procedures, and partners with executive and program leadership to ensure effective contract execution, compliance, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Contracts function, including personnel, processes, policies, procedures, and departmental objectives.
• Manage and mentor a team of contracts professionals while establishing priorities and ensuring effective workload distribution.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle from initial review and negotiation through administration, modification, and closeout.
• Provide contractual guidance to program and executive leadership regarding terms and conditions, contractual obligations, risk, funding, and execution strategies.
• Lead negotiations for new contracts, modifications, extensions, and other contractual agreements.
• Oversee contract-related documentation, approvals, funding, procurement activities, property requirements, and audit files.
• Support proposal efforts, including contract reviews, cost and pricing analysis, certifications, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, DCMA, DCAA, CPSR, data rights, and export control requirements.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready contract files, reporting tools, and documentation.
• Partner with program, finance, procurement, and executive leadership to address complex contractual and business issues.
• Support internal and external audits and government compliance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 15+ years of progressive contracts experience within the defense or government contracting industry, including at least 5 years in a senior contracts leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Extensive experience managing complex U.S. Government contracts and related agreements.
• Strong knowledge of FAR and DFARS regulations and federal acquisition requirements.
• Experience supporting or participating in Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR).
• Experience with proposal development, including cost and budget preparation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of government contract types, including cost-reimbursable, Time & Materials (T&M), and Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and negotiate complex contract terms and clauses.
• Experience supporting contract compliance, audits, and documentation requirements.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with executive leadership, technical teams, program personnel, and government customers.
• Active TS or TS/SCI level clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain the required clearance.