Contracts Director (req-284)

CATHEXIS; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance Bonuses

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

11 Federal Holidays

Parental Leave

Commuter Benefits

Disability Insurance

Job summary

CATHEXIS is seeking a Contracts Director to lead all U.S. Government contracting activities and advise the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

You will own the contracts function from proposals and negotiations to compliance, teaming, and award administration, building scalable processes and systems to support growth across government programs. The role requires deep federal contracting expertise, experience with cost-type contracts, and a track record of leading cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in U.S. federal government contracting (prime and subcontracting).
• Strong background in federal contract management, contract administration, procurement, and compliance—FAR/DFARS and agency supplements.
• Experience with cost-type contracts (CPFF, T&M, cost-plus), incurred cost submissions, and DCAA/DCMA interface.
• Experience structuring or administering teaming agreements and joint ventures.
• At least five years of management or functional leadership experience.
• NCMA certification desired (CFCM or CPCM).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team; actively participate in strategic planning; provide reporting on contracts and compliance.
• Lead joint venture and teaming partner development; structure, negotiate, and administer teaming agreements and JV arrangements.
• Review and manage contracts across the full life cycle: teaming documents, proposals, negotiations, subcontracting, change management, and close-out.
• Advise management on contractual rights and obligations; interpret terms and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage Firm Fixed Price and cost-type contracts; liaise with DCAA and DCMA as needed.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, company objectives, and customer obligations.
• Provide guidance on FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific supplements.
• Oversee communication with suppliers, subcontractors, prime contractors, and customers.
• Own the Contracts function; improve processes, automate where possible, and maintain CostPoint records.
• Provide leadership drawing on industry best practices in contract, procurement, and quality management.

Skills

Contract management

FAR/DFARS

DCAA/DCMA liaison

Team leadership

Proposals & negotiations

JV & teaming

Compliance

Cost-type contracts

Clearance eligible

Education

NCMA Certification desired (CFCM or CPCM)

Job description

Team CATHEXIS elevates the government contracting experience through rapid response, deep skill, and thoughtful problem-solving and communication. Our core capabilities are our top-tier program and project management, data analytics, and audit services, the backbone of which is our integrated approach to operational excellence.

You worked hard to get to where you are. You strive to make every day better than the day before. So do we. Team CATHEXIS operates with an all-in mindset. We are working together to create a company that supports our shared values and individual goals. Our values are centered around leading with integrity, owning the outcome, growing together, and moving with purpose in everything we do for our employees, customers, partners, and communities. We believe success is best when we listen and lead with empathy; model high standards of ethics to provide a rewarding candidate experience; work hard, have fun, and appreciate the strengths we all bring to the team; and empower our employees to create innovative and trusted results.

We are looking for a Contracts Director to serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and own all U.S. Government contract and procurement activities. As the company's subject matter expert in contracts, you will advise the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, lead CATHEXIS through complex recompetes and new contract vehicles, and help build the joint venture and teaming partnerships central to our growth strategy. This is a foundational leadership role for a firm at an inflection point — the right person will build the function, not just manage it.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team; actively participate in CATHEXIS strategic planning, provide regular reporting on contracts and compliance.
• Lead joint venture and teaming partner development — structure, negotiate, and administer teaming agreements and JV arrangements that support set-aside strategy and competitive positioning
• Review, manage, and administer company contracts across the full life cycle: teaming documents, proposal preparation, contract negotiation, subcontracting, change management, correspondence, close-out, and records retention
• Serve as the contracts subject matter expert on proposals; advise management on contractual rights and obligations, interpret terms and conditions, and develop guidance and risk mitigation and shaping strategies
• Manage Firm Fixed Price and cost-type contracts (e.g., CPFF, T&M) including liaison with DCAA and DCMA as needed
• Review and resolve all issues affecting company compliance; ensure satisfaction of legal requirements, company objectives, and customer obligations
• Provide advice and guidance on Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and agency-specific supplements
• Manage proactive customer and stakeholder engagement from a contractual perspective; organize and facilitate formal communication between the company and its suppliers, subcontractors, prime contractors, and customers
• Own the Contracts function: improve processes, facilitate automation, maintain the contracts in CostPoint, and develop and review policies and procedures
• Provide creative leadership drawn from knowledge of industry best practices and current developments in contract, procurement administration, and quality management

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role initially focuses on establishing relationships, fine-tuning processes and systems, and the JV/teaming infrastructure. Supervisory responsibilities will grow as contract volume expands.

• Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff as the department scales
• Oversee daily workflow of the department
• Invest time to mentor and create short-term and long-term development plans
• Provide constructive and timely performance feedback
• Handle discipline and termination of employees per company policy

• experience in U.S. federal government contracting (prime and subcontracting)
• Strong background in federal contract management, contract administration, procurement, and compliance — including FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific supplements
• Demonstrated experience with cost-type contracts (CPFF, T&M, cost-plus), incurred cost submissions, and DCAA/DCMA interface
• Experience structuring and/or administering teaming agreements and joint ventures
• Comprehensive knowledge of pricing, subcontract management, and business management
• At least five (5) years of management or functional leadership experience
• NCMA certification desired (CFCM or CPCM)
• Experience in both small and large GovCon firms a plus — candidates who have scaled a contracts function or navigated the transition from SMB to OTSB are particularly well-suited
• Clearance eligible

Skills

• Confident and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and changing business environment
• Communicates clearly and positively, both verbally and in writing
• Self-aware and empathetic
• Agile, critical thinker able to problem-solve with others and bring forth practical, holistic, and proactive solutions
• Works independently and in team settings; delegates effectively and delivers high-quality results under time pressure
• Growth mindset oriented and curiosity-driven; invested in continual learning to improve outcomes and drive personal, team, and company growth
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

CATHEXIS offers competitive compensation packages to all eligible employees. Our goal is to provide a compensation package that reflects the value you bring to our team, is competitive with national average market rates, and promotes your financial security and personal well-being. The annual salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000. Please note that the salary information provided is a general guideline. CATHEXIS considers various factors in its final offer, including location, qualifications, experience, and skills.

• Performance Bonuses
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan (Traditional and ROTH)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Federal Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Program
• Community Outreach Initiatives

CATHEXIS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated againston the basis ofdisability EEO IS THE LAW.If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact the Recruiting [e-mail]