Procurement Contract Manager

Iridium Communications Inc; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Iridium Communications Inc. is seeking an experienced Procurement Contracts Manager in the McLean, VA area to lead complex supplier agreements and drive commercial outcomes.

You will negotiate MSAs, SOWs, and software/SaaS contracts, collaborating with Legal, Finance, Risk, and business partners. The role requires a strategic thinker with a strong track record in contract negotiation, risk mitigation, and governance, ensuring adherence to company policies and SOX compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Approximately 8 years of experience in business or government contracting; 5 years plus a master’s degree considered.
• Strong knowledge of commercial contract law, procurement processes, and contract administration practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and levels.
• Strong customer-relations, problem-solving, and analytical skills with the ability to resolve complex issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to manage conflict effectively.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Cobblestone experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and independently execute complex procurement agreements (MSAs, SOWs, supply agreements, professional services, software/SaaS).
• Negotiate pricing, SLAs, warranties, indemnification, IP, liability limits, and termination.</br>within authority.
• Lead cross-functional contracting discussions with Legal, Finance, Risk, InfoSec, and partners.
• Identify and mitigate contractual, commercial, and supplier risks; propose solutions.
• Advise stakeholders on contract interpretation, disputes, amendments, renewals, and performance.
• Improve contract templates, playbooks, processes, governance controls, reporting, and CLM.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Cobblestone

Microsoft Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

Responsibilities

What We’re Looking For:

Iridium is seeking an experienced Procurement Contracts Manager to lead and independently execute complex contracting activities that support the company’s commercial, operational, and risk‑management objectives. If you are experienced in supplier contracting, negotiation, commercial risk balancing, and cross‑functional partnership, you will be excited about this opportunity on our Procurement & Strategic Sourcing team.

As the Procurement Contracts Manager, you’ll be responsible for autonomously developing, negotiating, and executing supplier agreements while providing expert guidance to business stakeholders. In this role, you will focus on high‑value and high‑risk negotiations, improving contracting governance, and ensuring commercial outcomes that align with Iridium’s policies and standards. You will thrive in this role if you are a strategic thinker, strong negotiator, and confident relationship‑builder with excellent judgment and attention to detail.

What You’ll Do:

• Be responsible for leading and executing complex procurement agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, supply agreements, professional services agreements, software/SaaS agreements, amendments, and related commercial documents.
• Work independently to negotiate key commercial provisions such as pricing, SLAs, warranties, indemnification, IP, limitation of liability, and termination within established authority.
• Lead cross‑functional contracting discussions with Strategic Sourcing, Legal, Finance, Risk, InfoSec, Privacy, Compliance, and business partners to ensure commercially sound and appropriately risk‑balanced terms.
• Identify and mitigate contractual, commercial, operational, and supplier risks; accelerate material issues and recommend solutions.
• Advise stakeholders on contract interpretation, disputes, obligations, amendments, renewals, and supplier performance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Implement improvements to contract templates, playbooks, processes, governance controls, reporting, and contract lifecycle management practices.
• Ensure all contracts comply with procurement policies, approval authorities, regulatory requirements, and company governance standards.
• Maintain complete and accurate physical and electronic contract records.
• Perform risk management for supply contracts and ensure compliance with SOX, signature authority, Finance approval protocols, data privacy, Code of Conduct, FCPA, Export Compliance, Anti-boycott, Antitrust, False Claims, and related requirements.
• Deliver high‑quality contracting support for major sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations using market benchmarks and total‑cost considerations.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Approximately 8 years of experience in business or government contracting; 5 years plus a master’s degree considered.
• Strong knowledge of commercial contract law, procurement processes, and contract administration practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and levels.
• Strong customer‑relations, problem‑solving, and analytical skills with the ability to resolve complex issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to manage conflict effectively.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Cobblestone experience preferred.

We’ll also need you to:

• Must be a U.S. citizen.

ADA and EEO

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship‑building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $110,000 - $140,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role.You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.