Manager Contract Administration 1

Northrop Grumman; West Virginia; On-site; USD 95,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman seeks a Manager, Contract Administration to lead a contracts team for DoD programs, ensuring strategy, compliance, and risk management. The role requires DoD contract expertise and strong negotiation skills, with on-site work in WV or MN.

Travel domestically is possible, and clearance is required for some programs. The candidate will manage multiple program contracts, partner across functions, and drive performance while aligning with company policies and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years federal contract experience, or Master’s with 4+ years.
• DoD FAR/DFARS knowledge required.
• Experience with government contracts and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor contracts team and manage workloads.
• Develop and execute contract strategy for DoD programs.
• Negotiate and administer USG, commercial, and international contracts.
• Ensure compliance and manage risk with internal stakeholders.
• Engage with customers and leadership on status and opportunities.

Skills

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Negotiation

Proposal development

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

SharePoint

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Northrop Grumman’s Weapon Systems Division, Missile Products Business Unit, Fuze and Warhead Operating Unit (OU) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Manager, Contract Administration 1 to join our team.This single requisition is intended to fill one Manager, Contract Administration 1 position that may be aligned to one of two role focuses, based on the selected candidate’s background and preferred work location (with a preference for the role based at Plymouth, MN):Fuze and Warhead Development & Production Transition Contracts – On-site in Plymouth, MNFuze and Warhead Production Contracts – On-site at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL), Rocket Center, WVThe selected candidate will be assigned to the role that best aligns with their experience and location. This position reports directly to the Manager, Contract Administration for the Fuze and Warhead OU and supports a robust portfolio of domestic and international programs, providing leadership to the contracts team. The role requires excellent oral and written communication skills and regular interaction with various levels of executive management across the OU, BU, Division, and Sector, as well as with customers.Role OverviewThe Manager, Contract Administration 2 serves as a key business partner and contracts lead for critical Fuze and Warhead programs. You will drive contract strategy, ensure compliance, manage risk, and develop a high-performing team of contracts professionals supporting both capture and execution activities. Assignment will emphasize either production programs (ABL, WV) or development and production transition programs (Plymouth, MN) depending on fit.This is a 100% on-site role at either Rocket Center, WV (ABL) or Plymouth, MN.Essential FunctionsTeam Leadership & People Management:Lead, develop, and mentor a team of contracts professionals and administrative staff, including hiring, training, performance management, and workload assignment.Build and lead a highly motivated and effective contracts team by setting expectations, delegating work assignments, and ensuring timely, accurate completion of deliverables.Provide leadership, support, professional development, and training as needed in all aspects of the contracts discipline.Contract Strategy, Negotiation & Execution:Apply in-depth understanding of Department of Defense (DoD) regulations and commercial terms and conditions to negotiate a wide range of United States Government, commercial, and international contractual instruments and agreements.Lead and support the negotiation and administration of various contract types of varying sizes and complexity.Collaborate across functions to advise and support competitive and sole-source Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Teaming Agreements, and other contractual instruments.Draft, review, redline, interpret, and negotiate complex terms and conditions as required.Compliance, Risk Management & Business Support:Ensure compliance with company procedures, legal requirements, and customer specifications.Serve as an advisor to the business on contractual rights and obligations, including risk identification and mitigation.Compile and analyze data, maintain historical contract information, and support strategic priorities and business planning as needed.Coordinate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Program Management, Business Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Legal) to ensure alignment on contract strategy, execution, and risk posture.Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:Regularly interface with OU, BU, Division, and Sector leadership to provide updates on contract status, risks, opportunities, and recommended strategies.Engage directly with customers and partners to cultivate strong, professional relationships and support successful program execution.Basic QualificationsBachelor's degree 6+ years or Master's degree 4+ of relevant experience performing contract management/administration of federal government contracts; in lieu of a degree 10 years of relevant experience performing contract management/administration of federal government contractsTechnical & Regulatory KnowledgeExpert knowledge of FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement), including experience with different contract types.Strong proposal development skills, including experience supporting pricing, terms, and risk identification.Skills & ToolsStrong negotiation skills and excellent oral and written communication skills.Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills that support resolving complex problems and minimizing risk to the corporation.Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, and related tools.Other RequirementsAbility to travel domestically several times annually.Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Clearance.Preferred QualificationsLeadership & Team ManagementDemonstrated leadership and/or supervisory/management experience.Domain & Contracting ExperienceExperience with weapon subsystem production contracts, including those direct to the U.S. Government and/or major defense prime contractors.Experience with international contracts, including direct commercial sales and FMS (Foreign Military Sales) of military hardware.Development-to-production contract experience (e.g., LRIP) is preferred, particularly for candidates aligned to the development and production transition role.Experience with complex terms and conditions, including drafting, reviewing, redlining, interpreting, and negotiating.Agreements & Intellectual PropertyWorking knowledge of other agreements such as CRADAs, OTAs, MOUs/MOAs, Teaming Agreements, and License Agreements.Expertise in Intellectual Property rights, specifically as they relate to DFARS-based contracts (e.g., technical data and software rights).Education & CredentialsBachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Finance, Law, Supply Chain, or related discipline).Master’s Degree in a relevant field preferred.Recognized applicable certifications such as CPCM, CFCM, etc.AdditionalAbility to travel internationally as required.Primary Level Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $157,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.