Government Contracts Manager

Legal.io; Connecticut; Hybrid; USD 110,208 - 151,536; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense technology company is seeking an experienced Contract Manager to oversee government contracting activities. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of specialized experience, manage contract lifecycles, and work closely with various teams in a fast-paced setting. Key responsibilities include providing legal guidance and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. This position is offered with competitive pay and a hybrid working option.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in U.S. Government contracting, preferably in aerospace or defense.
• Active admission to at least one U.S. state bar if applying as an attorney.
• Exceptional negotiation, drafting, and contract interpretation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of contracts from initiation to closeout.
• Provide legal guidance on U.S. Government proposals and contracts.
• Partner with engineering and management teams to assess contractual risks.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract interpretation

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or bachelor's degree with significant government contracting experience

Tools

MS Office

SharePoint

Teams

Job description

Legal Recruiting Expert @ Legal.io | California Bar, Vanderbilt Law

Location: East Hartford, CT (United States)

Commitment: 40 hours/week

Rate: $80–$110/hr

A leading aerospace and defense technology company is seeking an experienced Contract Manager to support U.S. Government contracting activities for a high‑visibility program. This attorney or contracts professional will manage all stages of the contract lifecycle, lead negotiations, ensure compliance with federal acquisition requirements, and partner closely with engineering, program management, and business functions.

This role is ideal for a contracts expert who is exceptionally detail‑oriented, collaborative, and comfortable advising on complex government contracting issues in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Government Proposal Support

• Provide legal and contractual guidance on U.S. Government proposals, ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements, FAR/DFARS provisions, and internal review standards.
• Participate in pre‑proposal strategy meetings to identify risks, interpret requirements, and ensure proposal alignment with business objectives.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, negotiate, and finalize a variety of agreements, including Government contracts, Subcontracts, Teaming agreements, Cooperative agreements, Academic and research partnerships, Commercial customer agreements.
• Ensure negotiated terms mitigate risk, comply with regulatory obligations, and align with company policies.

Lifecycle Contract Management

• Manage the full lifecycle of contracts from initiation to closeout, including modifications, extensions, and amendments.
• Perform contract interpretation and provide guidance to internal stakeholders throughout performance and execution.
• Monitor deliverables, contractual obligations, reporting requirements, and performance milestones.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, supply chain, finance, export compliance, and program management teams to assess contractual risk and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on contract requirements, compliance issues, and negotiation strategy.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to relevant federal regulations, including FAR, DFARS, and agency‑specific supplements.
• Identify potential areas of noncompliance or risk exposure and recommend practical solutions.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and documentation requests.

Tools & Documentation

• Use MS Office, SharePoint, Teams, and other contract management tools to maintain accurate records, drafting, and workflow management.
• Prepare summaries, negotiation positions, and internal briefing materials for leadership review.

Qualifications

Education & Licensing

• Juris Doctor (JD) or bachelor’s degree with significant government contracting experience.
• Active admission to at least one U.S. state bar if applying as an attorney.

Professional Experience

• 8+ years of experience in U.S. Government contracting, preferably within aerospace, defense, engineering, or high‑tech.

Direct Experience With

• FAR/DFARS application
• Teaming agreements and subcontracting arrangements
• Strong working knowledge of procurement regulations, compliance frameworks, and solicitation evaluation criteria.

Technical & Soft Skills

• Exceptional negotiation, drafting, and contract interpretation abilities.
• Ability to explain complex regulatory concepts to non‑legal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple high‑stakes matters simultaneously.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Teams, SharePoint, and document management systems.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required (no clearance required).
• Ability to work onsite or hybrid in East Hartford, CT if needed for key meetings.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)

Direct message the job poster from Legal.io