Senior Contract Administrator

Keel; Ladson (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Competitive Pay

401(k) Match

HSA/FSA

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities

Shift Differentials

Overtime Potential

Paid on the Job Training

Certification Sponsorship Opportuniti​

Committed to Individual Career Growth

We Do Fun Things

Job summary

Keel is hiring a Senior Contracts Administrator in Ladson, SC to lead contract matters with government and commercial customers. You will guide contract terms, review and negotiate agreements, and ensure compliance across FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR and CMMC requirements.

The role includes mentoring junior staff, coordinating with program managers, and maintaining contract documentation throughout the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science or equivalent.
• Five (5) years’ experience in contract management and private sector and government contracting.
• Direct experience with defense industry customers (government) organizations.
• Certifications such as CFCM, CPCM are a plus.
• Strong written and oral communication, attention to detail and leadership.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, MS Office and MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Support proposal development and review/negotiation of government and commercial contract terms.
• Ensure contract review process prior to award and compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR and CMMC requirements.
• Mentor junior contracts team members and advise senior management on contract requirements.
• Coordinate responses with subject matter experts and manage contract documents and NDAs.

Skills

Contract management

Government contracting

FAR/DFARS knowledge

ITAR/EAR knowledge

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related

Tools

MS Project

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real‑world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

The Senior Contracts Administrator would support proposal development, review/negotiate contract terms and conditions with Keel’s diverse customers, provide guidance to Keel business leaders, and work with program managers to verify contracts terms are met and contracts are maintained.

This position will have responsibility for ITAR/EAR compliance.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

• Duties include supporting proposal development, reviewing/negotiating government and commercial contract terms and conditions, completing Keel’s contract review process prior to contract award, assisting in developing procedures to ensuring corporate compliance with government FAR/DFARS clauses, CMMC requirements and ITAR/EAR requirements, developing procedures for ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions, managing execution and delivery of contract documents, coordinating responses with Keel Subject Matter Experts, reviewing and executing Non-Disclosure Agreements and managing company registrations within Government and customer portals.
• The Senior Contracts Administrator will also have responsibility for mentoring more junior members of the contracts team.
• The Senior Contracts Administrator works with the Director of Contracts and Contracts Administration team to evaluate contract requirements and advise senior management.
• All other related duties as assigned.

Mission Readiness:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science or equivalent.
• Five (5) years’ experience in contract management and private sector and government contracting.
• Direct experience working within defense industry customer (government) organizations, professional certification (e.g. CFCM, CPCM,).
• Contract management, effective oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, strong interpersonal and leadership skills, government contracting, FAR/DFARS knowledge, ITAR/EAR knowledge, experience with CMMC, and experience with MS Office and MS Project.
• Organizational & motivational abilities.
• Works well with others.
• Able to multi-task and establish priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, team player, confident, motivated and trustworthy.
• Able to manage deadlines and multitask.

Travel Requirements:

• Rare but may occur.

Physical Requirements:

• Light duty. Frequent computer and phone usage.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times (e.g., files, office supplies, etc).
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, or reach within the office setting.

Become a part of our Builders and you too can...

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
• Embody Team Spirit
• Relentless Customer Focus
• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you:

• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• Competitive Pay
• 401(k) Match
• HSA/FSA
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Shift Differentials
• Overtime Potential
• Paid on the Job Training
• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
• Committed to Individual Career Growth
• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email [e-mail] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.