Federal Subcontracts Lead Specialist

Maximus; Santa Fe (NM); Remote; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Maximus seeks a Lead Subcontracts Administrator (Federal) to guide complex subcontract activities across proposal, operations, and compliance functions in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

The role requires deep federal contracting experience, strong FAR/DFARS knowledge, and the ability to independently drive solutions with evolving information while interacting with senior leadership and subcontractors remotely.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 7+ years of related experience.
• Experience managing subcontracts under Prime contracts (Cost Reimbursable, Firm Fixed Price, and Time & Material).
• FAR/DFARS, NDA, TA best practices, and CPSR compliance knowledge.
• ERP/CLM proficiency and data analytics capability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage subcontract controls and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Review proposals and contract actions prior to signature.
• Negotiate terms and monitor subcontractor performance.
• Coordinate with project teams to align subcontracting strategy.
• Represent the company with subcontractors and government reps.

Skills

Excellent communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

CLM systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

The Lead Subcontracts Administrator (Federal) serves as a senior contracts professional responsible for guiding complex subcontract activities across proposal, operational, and compliance functions. This role requires a seasoned subcontracts professional with strong cross-functional experience—including project management, procurement, business operations, and client delivery—who can navigate matrixed environments and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders at all levels.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience supporting federal programs, strong working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, and the ability to independently drive solutions in fast-paced settings with incomplete or evolving information. This position plays a critical role in shaping subcontracting strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, influencing project outcomes, and representing the organization with subcontractors, auditors, and internal leadership.

This is a remote position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the policies for the company, ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, and other regulations and company directives.

• Oversee review of proposals and contract actions processed for the company prior to signature or negotiation and ensure that all factors have been considered and all necessary information has been gathered.

• Implement contract policies, procedures, and other business and contractual or compliance matters affecting the business unit.

• Manage and direct subcontract completions and close-out process.

• Oversee and monitor negotiation of contractual agreements on terms and conditions that are in the best interest of the company and its client.

• Work on issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives.

• Implement strategic policies when selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

• Establish and assure adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements.

• Regularly interact with senior management or executive levels on matters concerning several functional areas, divisions, and/or customers.

• Involved in developing, modifying, and executing company policies that affect immediate operations and may also have company-wide effect. Senior management reviews objectives to determine success of operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Compile, analyze, and maintain subcontract data and historical documentation.

• Identify and resolve complex subcontract issues independently, engaging stakeholders as needed.

• Prepare and administer subcontract awards, task orders, and modifications in line with government regulations and Maximus policies.

• Monitor subcontractor performance, addressing disputes, discrepancies, and performance issues.

• Evaluate subcontractor proposals based on pricing, capabilities, compliance, and performance history.

• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and finance to align subcontracting strategies with project objectives.

• Represent the company with subcontractors, suppliers, and government representatives to support business goals.

• Work closely with project managers, procurement, and finance teams to align subcontracting strategies with overall project objectives.

• Act as a resource and/or subject matter expert for teammates for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and contributions to internal trainings or skills-building.

This Position requires working in a matrixed business environment with stakeholders in the following groups:

Operations:

• Responsible for the preparation and administration of subcontract awards, task orders and modifications consistent with customer requirements, government regulations, and Maximus procurement policies and procedures.

• Identify and manage subcontract issues and develop creative solutions to resolve highly complex problems independently or with minimal support from manager.

• May represent the company with subcontractors and suppliers, potential subcontractors and suppliers, and government representatives.

• Coordinates with internal stakeholders and prepares subcontract request for proposal and quotation packages with statements of work (SOW), technical evaluations, negotiating terms and conditions, and other requirements for the procurement of services, materials and/or equipment.

• Monitoring and managing subcontractor performance; including vendor disputes, contract discrepancies, delivery timelines and performance issues.

• Work closely with project managers, procurement, and finance teams to align subcontracting strategies with overall project objectives

Business Development:

• Accountable for the subcontracts portion of company proposal preparation as assigned.

• Reviews customer solicitations and supports the development and delivery of documentation to include price and/or cost analysis, subcontractor management plans and small business participation plans to support the Maximus proposal team for new business awards

• Negotiate and Administer Teaming Agreements and NDAs with subcontractors during proposal.

• Lead subcontractor price and technical negotiations to meet Maximus proposal objectives.

Minimum Requirements

'- Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study and 7+ years of relevant professional experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

'- Strong experience managing subcontracts under Prime contract awards, including Cost Reimbursable, Firm Fixed Price, and Time & Material awards.

• Experience in FAR/DFARS, NDA, TA best practices, and CPSR compliance.

• Proficiency in ERP systems, CLM systems, and performing data analytics, reporting, or tool development strongly preferred.

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with minimal oversight.

• Experience supporting Federal Civilian and/or DoD programs.

• Significant experience with Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) compliant policies and procedures, supporting audits, and maintaining robust documentation.

• Previous experience within a cross-functional area (such as operations or business development) preferred.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

• Self-motivated with an ability to multi-task and make sound decisions in a timely manner.

• Handling complex subcontract negotiations and dispute resolutions independently in a highly technical environment.

• Working in diverse, high-expectation environments while collaborating across all organizational levels.

• Experience working in a customer service-oriented team environment within a matrixed organization.

• Experience working in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative team settings across all levels.

Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

Minimum Salary

$115,000

Maximum Salary

$150,000