Senior Contracts Leader & Buyer, National Security R&D

University of Maryland; College Park (MD); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland invites applications for the Senior Contracts Manager and Buyer at ARLIS in College Park. This role leads all procurement for the laboratory, from planning and solicitation through award, administration, and closeout, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS/Uniform Guidance and sponsor requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, 8+ years in procurement or research administration, experience with DoD-sponsored programs, and the ability to obtain a TS/SCI

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible procurement/administration experience is preferred in higher education, government, or federally regulated environments.
• Experience leading DoD-sponsored, classified, or sponsor-sensitive procurements.
• Experience with subcontracts or purchase orders containing federal flowdown requirements.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance (TS/SCI) if selected.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement for ARLIS from planning and solicitation through award, administration, and closeout.
• Administer contracts and purchase orders and ensure compliance with laws, sponsor requirements, and university policies.
• Develop and maintain procurement procedures, internal controls, and audit-ready documentation.
• Collaborate with ARLIS, Procurement & Business Services, Research Administration, Export Control, Security, and OGC.
• Provide acquisition strategy and guidance to PIs and leadership; support audits and reporting.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder communication

Regulatory interpretation

Procurement processes

Signature authority

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday ERP

Job description

The University of Maryland invites applications for the Senior Contracts Manager and Buyer at ARLIS in College Park. This role leads all procurement for the laboratory, from planning and solicitation through award, administration, and closeout, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS/Uniform Guidance and sponsor requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, 8+ years in procurement or research administration, experience with DoD-sponsored programs, and the ability to obtain a TS/SCI