Contracts Manager

LMK Recruiting Solutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

LMK Recruiting Solutions is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead the full contract lifecycle across a multi-brand portfolio, including development, review, negotiation, and administration of government and commercial agreements.

The role reports to the CFO and partners with finance, operations, legal, and business development to mitigate risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable scalable growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of government contract administration or related roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated FAR/DFARS/CAS knowledge.
• Strong negotiation, risk management and compliance history.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with CLM systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate government and commercial contracts, including NDAs and subcontracts.
• Monitor performance, ensure compliance, and track obligations and renewal triggers.
• Maintain comprehensive contract files per regulations and internal controls.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to resolve contract issues and drive improvements.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Compliance

Risk management

Attention to detail

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Contract Management/Legal Studies/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Contract management systems (CLM)

Legal research tools

Job description

About the Role

The Contracts Manager is a strategic, detail-oriented role responsible for managing the full lifecycle of all contract types across our complex, multi-brand portfolio. In this role, you will own contract development, review, negotiation, and administration across commercial agreements, vendor relationships, service agreements, and government contracts, serving as the primary steward of contractual compliance and risk mitigation. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will partner closely with business development, finance, operations, and legal teams to ensure our agreements enable business success, protect company interests, and meet all regulatory requirements. This position is ideal for someone analytical, proactive, and thorough, someone who takes pride in creating contractual frameworks that enable scalable, compliant growth.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management

• Review, draft, and negotiate all contract types, including government contracts (federal, state, local), commercial agreements, subcontracts, modifications, amendments, and NDAs.
• Monitor contract performance and ensure adherence to contractual requirements, delivery schedules, compliance obligations, and payment terms.
• Maintain comprehensive contract files and documentation in accordance with company policies, government regulations, internal controls, and best practices.
• Establish and maintain a centralized contract management repository with tracking of key dates, obligations, renewal triggers, and risk flags.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation

• Ensure compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and other applicable laws and industry standards.
• Advise leadership on contract risk areas including indemnification, limitation of liability, IP ownership, and confidentiality; recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support internal audits, DCAA/DCMA reviews, and other government oversight activities by providing complete documentation and compliance certification.
• Conduct regular contract audits and compliance assessments to identify gaps or opportunities for improvement.

Proposal and Pricing Support

• Partner with business development and finance teams on RFP/RFQ responses, including contract terms analysis, cost/pricing proposal review, and negotiation strategy.
• Analyze solicitation documents to identify critical requirements, compliance obligations, regulatory constraints, and potential risks.
• Develop contract-specific terms recommendations aligned with company risk tolerance, margin targets, and regulatory obligations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives

• Serve as the primary liaison between the company and government contracting officers, prime contractors, commercial partners, and key vendors.
• Work across operations, finance, legal, business development, and HR teams to resolve contract issues and interpret obligations.
• Recommend process improvements for contract management, compliance tracking, and risk monitoring across the company.
• Develop and maintain contract management policies, templates, and playbooks that scale across our portfolio brands.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Legal Studies, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in government contract administration, commercial contract management, or legal/compliance roles within a commercial setting.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and other government procurement regulations.
• Skills: Strong track record of commercial contract negotiation, risk management, and compliance.
• Attributes: Exceptional attention to detail, analytical rigor, strong ethical judgment, and organizational capabilities.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate legal/regulatory concepts for internal stakeholders.
• Systems: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, contract management systems (CLM), and legal research tools preferred.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive independently in a fast-paced business environment and navigate integration initiatives.