Manager of Contracts

austalusa; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Austal USA in Mobile, AL seeks a Contracts Manager responsible for all aspects of contract administration for assigned programs, including drafting contracts, coordinating with the Customer, leading negotiations, and supervising contract staff.

The role requires extensive Federal contract experience, strong FAR/DFARS knowledge, and the ability to align contracts with corporate strategy, including dispute resolution and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field is required.
• Master's degree or law degree (JD) preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant contracts experience, including federal contracts; 5+ years in management of federal contracts.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing and coordinating day-to-day contract administration for assigned programs.
• Drafting contracts, modifications, agreements, MOUs, terms and conditions.
• Leading negotiations for new contracts and modifications with customers.
• Liaising with all departments on contract issues.
• Mentoring and supervising contract specialists when assigned.
• Maintaining contract files and ensuring accurate funding values and reporting.
• Supporting disputes, negotiations, and other contractual matters with Supply Chain and Finance.

Skills

Contract management

Team leadership

Negotiation

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Contract interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree or JD preferred

Job description

REPORTS TO: Director Pricing and Contracts

SUPERVISES: Contract Administrators and other support staff for the program(s), if assigned any.

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

A Contracts Manager has overall responsibility for all aspects of contract administration for assigned program(s) including but not limited to the following:

• Overseeing and coordinating day-to-day contract administration activities and specifically for supervising a team of contract specialists, if assigned any, in their performance of assigned duties in support of same.
• Drafting contracts, contract modifications, agreements, memorandums of understanding, terms and conditions, and another contract related documents.
• Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact with the Customer on formal communications and submittals, and specifically for leading the negotiations for new contracts and contract modifications.
• Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact for coordination and communication with all departments on contract related issues.
• Supporting and providing guidance to Supply Chain Management Department when requested for disputes, negotiations, and other contractual matters concerning subcontracts.
• Developing and maintaining clause flow down supplements to the Company's general terms and conditions for subcontracts and participating in meetings related thereto.
• Maintaining contract files (e.g. proposals, contracts, correspondence, modifications).
• Maintaining current contract and funding values, reporting those values monthly to Finance, and certifying the accuracy of the values monthly.
• Assisting in the management and resolution of accounting issues that have significant implications to contract performance and payment for same (e.g. contract type, cost accounting standards, cost allowability, payment terms, disclosure statements, certifications, audit requests, and retentions);
• Leading new business pursuits and change management on existing contracts by developing contract strategies and specifically for reviewing solicitations and change requests and developing formal proposals, bids, and contract modifications including negotiating same with the Customer.
• Supporting the development of and reviewing new bid and change proposal to ensure they comply with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements, and preparing the representations and certifications associated with same prior to submission to the Customer.
• Assisting all departments on issues of contract interpretation.
• Leading the effort on matters of contract dispute resolution including protests, claims and lawsuits for disputes between Company and Customer.
• Analyzing and interpreting contract requirements, special provisions, and terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and the Company's practices, policies, procedure and guidelines.
• Analyzing new laws, regulations, Presidential proclamations, executive orders, and contract trends for potential impact on current and future contracts.
• Assisting in the development of business alliances and partnering agreements when requested.
• Functioning as domain expert on selected areas and issues (e.g. FAR/DFARS, REAs, claims, data rights, foreign military sales, and organizational conflict of interest);
• Assisting in the identification, development, implementation and maintenance of Contracts Department practices, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Managing a staff of contract specialists, if assigned any, with responsibility for coordinating with the Director of Pricing and Contracts and Human Resources on hiring, firing, monitoring performance, disciplining, conducting and documenting evaluations, goal setting, approving leave, monitoring attendance, upholding high ethical standards, promoting teamwork and maintaining an emphasis on accountability and achieving results.
• Mentoring and training support staff, if assigned any, to ensure professional development within the Contracts Department is consistent with the Company's and employee's needs and goals.
• Maintaining a strong understanding of the Company's overall business strategy and an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications for contracting activities.
• Support the Estimating Business System initiative in response to RFP or RFQ requirements to ensure adequate supervision and sound proposals, to protect from duplication and omissions, in accordance with DFARs Cost Estimating System Requirements;
• Support other Business Systems initiatives, audits, and demonstrations as requested to ensure compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE

Required:

Bachelor's Degree in related field; Master's degree or Law Degree preferred.

A m inimum of 10+ years of relevant contracts experience, including experience administering and negotiating Federal contracts; 5+ years of management experience with Federal contracts in a similar field or industry (e.g., shipbuildi