Contract Manager

Raven Defense Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Raven Defense Corporation seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee the full lifecycle of government and commercial contracts, from proposal development to closeout. The role requires deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, DEAR, and compliance across federal and customer-specific requirements.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in government contracting, with strong skills in negotiations, cost/price analysis, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Finance, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in government contracting.
• Extensive experience with FAR/DFARS/DEAR and government acquisition processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete contract lifecycle from proposal development through execution, administration, and closeout.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer government contracts, subcontracts, modifications, and task orders.
• Ensure contractual compliance with federal, state, and customer-specific requirements.
• Provide guidance on contract terms, obligations, risks, deliverables, and performance requirements.
• Support program managers and leadership with contract interpretation and execution strategies.
• Lead preparation and review of cost estimates, pricing proposals, and cost/price analyses.
• Develop and evaluate labor, material, subcontractor, indirect cost, and escalation assumptions.

Skills

FAR/DFARS/DEAR Expertise

Contract Negotiations

Cost & Price Analysis

Proposal Development

Regulatory Interpretation

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Contract Management

Finance

Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Contract management software

Job description

The Contracts Manager will be responsible for managing the full lifecycle of government and commercial contracts, including proposal development, cost estimating, negotiations, contract administration, compliance, and closeout activities. This role requires a highly experienced contracts professional with a strong understanding of federal contracting regulations, including FAR, DFARS, and DEAR requirements, and demonstrated experience supporting government programs, acquisitions, and complex contractual agreements.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience in government contracting, with expertise in contract negotiations, pricing strategies, cost/price analysis, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management & Administration

Manage the complete contract lifecycle from proposal development through execution, administration, and closeout.

Review, draft, negotiate, and administer government contracts, subcontracts, modifications, and task orders.

Ensure contractual compliance with federal, state, and customer-specific requirements.

Provide guidance on contract terms, obligations, risks, deliverables, and performance requirements.

Support program managers and leadership with contract interpretation and execution strategies.

Government Contracting & Regulatory Compliance

Maintain expert knowledge and application of:

• Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR)
• Other applicable government contracting regulations and agency requirements.

Ensure contract actions comply with applicable clauses, flow-down requirements, reporting obligations, and audit requirements.

Support responses to government inquiries, audits, reviews, and compliance assessments.

Lead preparation and review of cost estimates, pricing proposals, and cost/price analyses.

Develop and evaluate labor, material, subcontractor, indirect cost, and escalation assumptions.

Analyze solicitation requirements, Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), and Statements of Objectives (SOO).

Support proposal development, including basis of estimates, pricing narratives, and negotiation strategies.

Evaluate customer requirements and develop competitive, compliant pricing solutions.

Negotiations

Lead contract negotiations with government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.

Develop negotiation positions, strategies, and supporting documentation.

Negotiate contract terms, pricing, schedules, changes, claims, and modifications.

Identify contractual risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Risk Management & Business Support

Identify contractual, financial, and operational risks and recommend mitigation actions.

Support project teams with contract interpretation and execution guidance.

Review change orders, claims, and scope changes for contractual impact.

Provide leadership with contract status, risk assessments, and recommendations.

Documentation & Reporting

Maintain accurate contract files and records in accordance with company policies and government requirements.

Prepare contract summaries, compliance reports, negotiation documentation, and management briefings.

Support internal reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Finance, Engineering, or related field preferred.

Minimum 10 years of experience in government contracting.

Extensive experience with:

• FAR
• DFARS
• DEAR
• Government acquisition processes
• Contract negotiations and administration
• Cost estimating and pricing analysis
• Demonstrated experience managing complex government contracts and proposals.

Strong understanding of federal procurement processes and contract types, including:

• Firm Fixed Price (FFP)
• IDIQ/task order contracts
• Experience interpreting contract clauses, statements of work, and technical requirements.

Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), or other federal agencies.
• Experience with classified programs or highly regulated environments.
• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or equivalent certification.
• Experience with government estimating systems, pricing tools, and ERP/contract management systems.
• Experience supporting audits and compliance reviews.

Core Competencies

• Government Contract Compliance
• FAR/DFARS/DEAR Expertise
• Contract Negotiations
• Cost & Price Analysis
• Proposal Development
• Strategic Sourcing
• Regulatory Interpretation
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Experience Level

Experience Level

Reports To: Director of Contracts / Contracts Leadership

Department: Contracts & Procurement

Employment Type: Full-Time

Raven Defense Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.