Contracts Manager

Alvarez & Marsal; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) seeks a Contracts Manager to support the Public Sector Services team across Federal, State & Local, and Education markets. You will oversee contract and subcontract lifecycles, engage with clients and partners, and guide risk and compliance decisions.

The role requires fluency with FAR/DFARS and state procurement frameworks, with capacity to cover evolving practice needs. You will interact with senior stakeholders and lead complex negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, JD) and/or NCMA certifications (CFCM, CCCM, CPCM) preferred.
• 8-10+ years of relevant contracts experience; Federal contracting required, State & Local experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple contract types and solicitation types (FAR Parts 8, 15, 16); familiarity with GSA Schedules, GWACs, IDIQ/BPAs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Public Sector’s Contracts Manager for Federal, State & Local, and Education markets.
• Execute a global engagement risk lifecycle: identify, assess, manage, monitor, and report.
• Build tools, templates, processes, governance, and training to strengthen public-sector delivery risk and compliance.
• Lead negotiations including complex agreements.
• Review and redline RFPs and contractual documents in alignment with risk profile and avoid overextended obligations.
• Advise on FAR/DFARS and State & Local regulatory clauses and impacts.
• Manage compliance data and maintain records in SAM.gov, GSA E-Buy, and Assist.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Public sector contracting

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

MBA, JD and/or NCMA certifications preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Job description

Overview

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm with entrepreneurial, action- and results-oriented professionals. We take a hands-on approach to solving our clients’ problems and helping them reach their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact clients and shape the industry. Our collaborative environment and engaging work are guided by A&M’s core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity.

Summary / Objective

The Contracts Manager provides key operational support to the Public Sector Services (PSS) team throughout the contract and subcontract lifecycle — from pre-proposal development through contract award to closeout. Reporting to the Director of Contracts and Risk Management, the role supports engagements across Federal, State & Local, and Education markets, serving as a primary contracts interface with clients, teaming partners, and internal go-to-market teams. The role requires fluency across Federal (FAR/DFARS) and State & Local procurement frameworks, with flexibility to cover both domains as practice needs evolve.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Public Sector’s Contracts Manager for Federal, State & Local, and Education markets.
• Execute a global engagement risk lifecycle: identify, assess, manage, monitor, and report.
• Build tools, templates, processes, governance, and training to strengthen public-sector delivery risk and compliance.
• Partner with client-facing go-to-market teams in the capture process to strategically position opportunities and assess fundamental risks.
• Review and redline RFPs and contractual documents (Prime Contracts, Subcontracts, SOWs, change orders, renewals) in alignment with A&M’s risk profile and to avoid overextended obligations or guaranteed results.
• Lead negotiations including complex agreements.

Proposal & Pre-Award Support

• Support responses to RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs, including identifying contractual risk and preparing response language to mitigate those risks.
• Review proposal documents for compliance with solicitation instructions; prepare administrative volume content, Representations and Certifications, and contractual risk mitigation language.
• Inform the management team of contractual concerns in proposals and provide recommendations for revisions.
• Manage proposal submissions and delivery of information in response to RFPs/RFQs and data calls.

Contract Negotiation & Administration

• Lead front-end deal support across Federal, State, Local, and Education pursuits.
• Collaborate on capture strategy and opportunity positioning.
• Review and revise RFPs / RFQs to align with firm policies, risk standards, and with appropriate involvement of A&M’s General Counsel.
• Prepare compliant response language, administrative content, and representations and certifications.
• Draft, review, redline, and negotiate NDAs, Teaming Agreements, Contracts, Subcontracts, and modifications with involvement of General Counsel.
• Advise on FAR/DFARS and State & Local regulatory clauses and impacts.
• Support contract negotiations, including complex and non-standard agreements.
• Serve as the primary contracts interface with client stakeholders and teaming partners.
• Maintain communications with Contracting Officers, CORs, Contract Specialists, teaming partners, and subcontract administrators to resolve questions and discuss modifications.
• Lead SOW risk consultation and post-signature contracting support (change orders, renewals), ensuring obligations are understood and operationalized with engagement leadership and relevant stakeholders.

Regulatory Guidance & Compliance

• Manage compliance and accuracy of Federal and State & Local administration requirements.
• Ensure timely reporting and data integrity in systems such as SAM.gov, GSA E-Buy, and Assist; monitor updates and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance and flow downs.
• Integrate cloud/data/privacy/security considerations into risk and compliance practices for public sector engagements.
• Develop, write, and modify contract and compliance policies, SOPs, and guidelines; maintain a catalog of policies, procedures, and protocols related to client engagements.
• Collaborate with A&M’s Global People Organization (GPO) to manage internal records and documentation.
• Evaluate and analyze compliance data and present assessments.

Risk Management & Internal Collaboration

• Collaborate with the firm’s Legal and Risk Management teams; escalate issues to address risks, conflicts, and complex proposal and contract challenges.
• Operationalize contractual obligations, including post-signature support such as change orders and renewals.
• Contribute to contracts knowledge assets, templates, and compliance resources on the internal SharePoint site.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced and dynamic consulting environment with tight deadlines, multiple projects, and shifting priorities.
• Stakeholder-/client-centric; strong service orientation and responsiveness required.
• Flexible working hours to meet practice needs and project deadlines.

Travel

• Limited travel may be required to A&M office sites and client locations.

Skills

• Fluency across Federal and State & Local contract types (FFP, LOE, T&M, CTAs), and familiarity with FAR Parts 8, 15, 16; GSA Schedules, GWACs, IDIQ/BPAs.
• Working knowledge of State and Local laws, regulations, and contract statutes; healthcare and education sector familiarity is a plus.
• Strong contract drafting, redlining, and negotiation skills across standard and non-standard agreements.
• Proven expertise in executive advisory, stakeholder influence, and C-suite communication; complex and non-standard contracts negotiation; regulatory compliance strategy and interpretation; privacy governance; risk assessment and mitigation; public sector governance; ethical leadership; and incident response.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and to engage, communicate, and influence senior executives; excellent writing and organization skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, JD) and/or NCMA certifications (CFCM, CCCM, CPCM) preferred.
• 8-10+ years of relevant contracts experience; Federal contracting required, State & Local experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple contract types and solicitation types (FAR Parts 8, 15, 16); experience with GSA Schedules, GWACs, IDIQ/BPAs; familiarity with State & Local IDIQ/BPA frameworks.
• Experience within or alongside a management consulting practice preferred.
• Ability to obtain a US government security clearance.

The above description outlines the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. Specific duties may vary based on focus areas, client needs, and internal requirements.