Principal Specialist, Contracts

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor, based in Alabama, seeks a Contracts Administrator/Program Manager to support proposal preparation and contract performance across domestic and DoD-related programs. You will partner with program teams, finance, and supply chain to manage contracts, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and company policies. U.S.

citizenship and security clearance are required. Ideal candidates hold a university degree (or advanced degree) with several years of experience in government

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience with 5+ years in contracts/PM.
• Advanced degree with 3+ years in contracts/PM.
• Experience with U.S. Government contracts, FAR/DFARS.

Responsibilities

• Support preparation and submission of proposals for new business, including spares, repairs, and modernization.
• Partner with program teams to guide performance of contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with Finance and Supply Chain to manage contract execution.
• Identify, mitigate, and resolve contractual issues.
• Ensure terms comply with company policies.
• Provide guidance on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation.
• Establish and maintain relationships with customers and internal partners.
• Interface with customers regarding contracts changes and issues.
• Manage contracts and engage with program leadership.
• Support DoD/foreign military sales contracts and subcontractor requirements.
• Participate in business management reviews, including EAC reviews.

Skills

Contract Administration

Proposal Preparation

Contract Execution

Risk Quantification

Financial Analysis

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Relationship Management

Education

University degree or equivalent experience

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

FAR Knowledge

DFARS Knowledge

Security Clearance Processes

Job description

• Support preparation and submission of proposals for new business, including spares, repairs, and modernization
• Partner with functional program team members to understand, guide, and support performance of contractual requirements
• Work with Portfolio Directors, Program Managers, Chief Engineers, Finance, and Supply Chain to manage successful contract execution
• Identify, mitigate, and resolve contractual issues
• Ensure negotiated terms and conditions comply with company policies
• Provide guidance on contractual and business issues, rights and obligations, and mitigation of contractual and programmatic risks
• Establish and maintain relationships with customers and internal partners
• Interface with customers regarding correspondence, contractual changes, and contractual issues
• Manage contracts and engage directly with program leadership
• Support Development and Obsolescence-focused contracts for domestic, Foreign Military Sales, and subcontractor requirements
• Participate in business management reviews, including quarterly Estimate At Completion reviews

Requirements

• Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years’ experience
• Experience with contracts administration, program management, business management, finance, procurement and/or supply chain
• Experience with U.S. Government contracts, including proposal activity
• Experience in contracts negotiations, execution and administration of various contract aspects and agreements such as Proprietary Information Agreements
• Experience with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplemental (DFARS) requirements
• Experience applying analysis and critical thinking for complex problem solving
• Understanding of financial aspects of contracts and risk quantification
• U.S. citizenship required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued security clearance
• Active and existing DoD Secret security clearance required after day 1
• Some domestic travel, approximately 15%

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in contract administration, program management, and compliance with U.S. Government contracts, including FAR and DFARS. Proven ability to manage contractual relationships, mitigate risks, and support business management processes effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Contract Administration
• Program Management
• U.S. Government Contracts
• FAR and DFARS Compliance
• Contract Negotiation

Hard Skills

• Contracts Administration
• Proposal Preparation
• Contract Execution
• Risk Quantification
• Financial Analysis

Soft Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Management

Certifications & Qualifications

• U.S. Government-Issued Security Clearance
• DoD Secret Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

• Foreign Military Sales
• Business Management Reviews
• Procurement
• Supply Chain Management