Remote Director, Pre-Award Contracts & Growth Strategy

American-Institutes-For-Research; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

American Institutes for Research seeks a Director, Pre-Award Contracts to lead enterprise-wide pre-award contracting strategies across federal, state, and foundation funders. You will oversee a team, ensure compliance, drive risk management, and align with growth objectives while partnering with legal, finance, HR and program teams.

This role offers remote work within the U.S. and occasional travel, reporting to the Vice President, Contracts, Grants and Procurement.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience across contracts, grants management, procurement.
• 5+ years in people management.
• Deep knowledge of federal/state contracting and grants regulations (FAR, Uniform Guidance).
• Experience with diverse funders from public, private and commercial sectors.
• Experience negotiating teaming agreements, NDAs, CPFF, T&M, FFP, cooperative agreements.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: develop and execute enterprise-wide pre-award strategies.
• Contracts Management: oversee solicitation, evaluation, and negotiation of awards.
• Compliance & Risk Management: ensure adherence to regulations and audit readiness.
• Operational Excellence: drive process improvements and effective tracking/reporting.
• Team development: mentor and build a high-performing team.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: collaborate with Post-Award, Procurement, Finance, Legal, HR, and programs.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Compliance & Risk

Pre-Award Contracting

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Process Improvement

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Public Administration / Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Contract management software

MS Office Suite

Job description

American Institutes for Research seeks a Director, Pre-Award Contracts to lead enterprise-wide pre-award contracting strategies across federal, state, and foundation funders. You will oversee a team, ensure compliance, drive risk management, and align with growth objectives while partnering with legal, finance, HR and program teams.

This role offers remote work within the U.S. and occasional travel, reporting to the Vice President, Contracts, Grants and Procurement.