Lead Contract Specialist - Promotional

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14 paid holidays

Vacation (18–33 days)

Parental and childcare benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Pension plan

457 Defined Contribution Plan

Lifestyle Spending Account

Job summary

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is seeking an experienced contract professional to lead the full contract lifecycle at the San Diego International Airport. You will guide complex contracting activities, mentor staff, and collaborate across departments to ensure compliance and optimal operations.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, and process improvements while supporting a high-performing team and safe, compliant contract execution within a dynamic public agency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in acquisition or contract management, business or public administration, engineering or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible contract development and administration experience, including experience providing technical leadership, lead oversight, project coordination, or supervision; public agency experience is preferred.
• Or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate routine to highly complex contracting activities throughout the contract life cycle, including planning, solicitation, source selection, award, administration, and closeout.
• Develop and update scopes of work and agreements, facilitate pre-bid and pre-award conferences, and ensure contracts align with organizational needs and applicable requirements.
• Prepare, review, and provide technical guidance on solicitations, bids, specifications, scopes of work, RFPs, RFQs, contracts, amendments, change orders, task orders, and related documents.

Skills

Leadership

Contract Management

Team Leadership

Communication

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Integrity

Accountability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in acquisition or contract management

Master's degree in acquisition and contract management

Job description

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way.

At SAN, we take pride in fostering employee growth and development. This position is exclusively available to current SDCRAA employees, reflecting our commitment to internal advancement, all other applications will not be considered.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location: Facilities Management Department (FMD) Administration Building, located on San Diego International Airport campus’s north end and sits adjacent to the rental car facility, providing one-of-a-kind views of our runway, along with several outdoor terraces and courtyards for employees to engage with nature.
• Hybrid Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department.
• Salary: The hiring salary for the Lead Contract Specialist is starting at $112,800 to $129,720. The full pay range for the Lead Contract Specialist is $86,800 to $138,800.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and childcare benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, and tuition reimbursement. Ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes wellbeing part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
• Application Deadline: November 2, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

This is a promotional opportunity open to active San Diego County Regional Airport Authority employees only.

About the Job:

The Facilities Management Department is seeking an experienced contract professional to take the lead in coordinating complex contracting activities. This role calls for managing the full contract life cycle, from solicitation and award through administration and closeout, while ensuring contractual agreements meet organizational needs and established requirements.

As a trusted resource and team leader, the selected candidate will guide complex contract decisions, mentor and develop staff, and collaborate with departments and stakeholders across the organization. They'll also help identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen compliance, and enhance the effectiveness of contract administration. If you're ready to expand your leadership impact, solve challenging problems, and help shape how SAN manages its contracts, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

What You’ll Do:

• Contract Life-Cycle Management: Lead and coordinate routine to highly complex contracting activities throughout the contract life cycle, including planning, solicitation, source selection, award, administration, and closeout. Develop and update scopes of work and agreements, facilitate pre-bid and pre-award conferences, and ensure contracts align with organizational needs and applicable requirements. Prepare, review, and provide technical guidance on solicitations, bids, specifications, scopes of work, requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for qualifications (RFQs), contracts, amendments, change orders, task orders, and related documents. Monitor contract timelines, expirations, renewals, amendments, deliverables, and other critical milestones.
• Contract Compliance and Risk Management: Interpret contractual agreements, identify deviations from specifications or requirements, and recommend appropriate compliance measures.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build productive working relationships across the organization and collaborate with departments and stakeholders throughout pre-solicitation, pre-award, and post-award activities. Coordinate the review, approval, distribution, and maintenance of contract documentation to support effective communication and timely contract execution.
• Team Leadership and Work Coordination: Provide lead oversight of Contract Specialists by assigning and prioritizing work, establishing expectations, monitoring progress, and balancing workloads. Advise Contract Specialists, Project Assistants, departments, vendors, and other stakeholders on contractual requirements, procedures, approvals, deadlines, documentation, and status to promote consistency and informed decision-making.
• Employee Development and Performance Support: Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and development to Contract Specialists and Project Assistants as assigned. Clarify responsibilities, establish performance expectations, provide feedback, support onboarding and training, and identify opportunities for professional growth. Participate in staff selection and provide input on staffing needs, workload distribution, performance, and development.
• Reporting and Management Support: Prepare and review staff performance reports, contract status updates, workload analyses, and other management reports. Analyze data to identify trends, evaluate operational needs, and highlight potential risks. Provide recommendations to management and support the development and monitoring of budgets related to contract activities.
• Work-Related Driving: Drive and operate Authority vehicles to job sites to conduct job walks and inspections.

The Skills You Need:

1. Leadership & Influencing Skills: Engages and motivates individuals and teams to deliver results by defining work objectives, setting expectations, and recognizing achievements; ensures high productivity and commitment of team members by maintaining effective communication and relationships.
2. Technical & Process Knowledge: Demonstrates advanced knowledge of contract development, administration, procurement processes, and contract life-cycle activities; provides technical guidance to Contract Specialists and Project Assistants as assigned; ensures compliance with requirements; organizes and maintains records; identifies process deficiencies; establishes frameworks for consistent practices; and advances process improvements and best practices.
3. Critical Thinking: Analyzes complex contracting issues and collaboratively develops alternatives and solutions; readily adapts behavior and work methods to evolving and unexpected situations; formulates data-driven conclusions, methodologies, and procedures; resolves escalated issues; and leverages opportunities to generate sustainable and best-in-industry solutions.
4. Problm-Solving & Agility: Analyze problems and collaboratively generate alternative solutions; readily adapt behavior or new work methods, evolving and unexpected situations. formulate data driven conclusions, methodologies and procedures; leverage opportunities to generate sustainable and best-in-industry solutions.
5. Communication: Proficiently exchanges information through various avenues including verbal, digital, written, facilitation of work completion, and persuasion; effectively communicates with internal and external stakeholders; conveys and interprets complex contractual information logically and clearly; facilitates resolution of issues; provides direction and coaching to Contract Specialists; and represents the contract function in meetings and presentations.
6. Leadership & Accountability: Provides day-to-day leadership and direction to Contract Specialists; establishes priorities and expectations; assigns and coordinates work; monitors performance and quality; provides feedback and coaching; promotes accountability and professional development; and fosters collaborative relationships and an inclusive work environment.
7. Integrity: Embraces core organizational values in decision-making and actions; demonstrates transparency in activities and challenging situations; exercises sound judgment; negotiates and resolves conflicts; protects the interests of the organization; and maintains confidentiality and professionalism.
8. Leverage Technology: Proficient use of information electronically and associated systems to manage contract activities, monitor workloads and deadlines, maintain records, analyze data, communicate information, and improve processes.
9. Continuous Improvement: Establishes quality standards for contract administration activities; reviews work products for accuracy, consistency, and compliance; identifies trends and deficiencies; implements corrective actions; and promotes continuous process improvement and standardization.

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Bachelor’s degree in acquisition or contract management, business or public administration, engineering or a related field;
• Seven years of progressively responsible contract development and administration experience, including experience providing technical leadership, lead oversight, project coordination, or supervision; public agency experience is preferred;
• Or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements:

• Maintain a valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.
• Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.

Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses:

• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
• Master's degree in acquisition and contract management, business or public administration, engineering or a related field

*Drivingis an Essential Function

This role requires regulardrivingas a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge thatdriving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role.

**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.