Senior Contracts Manager

AV; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AV, a senior aerospace contracting leader, seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to steer bid, capture, and negotiation activities across cross-functional teams including legal, finance, procurement, and engineering.

You will manage complex contracts, ensure regulatory compliance, and oversee lifecycle milestones from proposal through amendments, working with DCMA and auditors as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field (required).
• 8–10 years' aerospace/defense/government contracting experience.
• U.S. Security Clearance (Secret, Top Secret preferred).
• Federal and International regulations knowledge; DoD/Federal prime contract administration.

Responsibilities

• Work with Operations, Contracts leaders, Sales, Strategy, Marketing, Finance, and Legal on bid/proposal preparation and contract negotiations.
• Oversee contract lifecycle activities: modifications, close-outs, and program support for multi-year contracts.
• Draft, evaluate, and negotiate NDAs, S/PAs, Subcontracts, Licensing, Master Agreements, and FAR-based contracts.
• Ensure terms comply with regulations and company policies; monitor performance and report to management.
• Coordinate flow-downs of terms with program management, engineering, finance, quality, and supply chain.
• Liaise with DCMA and audit agencies; may lead internal/external audits.
• Maintain contract files, data in business systems, and lead status reviews.

Skills

Contract management

Regulatory knowledge

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Federal contracting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Contracts Manager position requires complex thinking skills, with a deep understanding of contract management processes and regulations as they pertain to complex aerospace projects. As a Senior Contracts Manager, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, procurement, and engineering, to streamline contract workflows and mitigate risks. Your expertise will be essential in evaluating contract performance, managing relationships, and ensuring the execution of agreements that support business goals. The Senior Contracts Manager develops the bid, capture and contract negotiation processes and documents, and then ensures efficient performance throughout the contract's lifecycle, supporting amendments and interpretations as necessary.

Worker Type

Regular

Summary

Job Description

The Senior Contracts Manager position requires complex thinking skills, with a deep understanding of contract management processes and regulations as they pertain to complex aerospace projects. As a Senior Contracts Manager, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, procurement, and engineering, to streamline contract workflows and mitigate risks. Your expertise will be essential in evaluating contract performance, managing relationships, and ensuring the execution of agreements that support business goals. The Senior Contracts Manager develops the bid, capture and contract negotiation processes and documents, and then ensures efficient performance throughout the contract's lifecycle, supporting amendments and interpretations as necessary.

Position Responsibilities

• Work closely with Operations, Contracts leaders and other functions including Sales, Strategy and Marketing, Finance, and the Legal team on bid and proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract review and administration for new and sustaining products and services.
• Perform contract management and administrative duties throughout the contract lifecycle including, but not limited to, proposal review and preparation, leading pre and post award negotiations, executing contract modifications, initiating contract close-outs and providing overall contracts support to programs for complex, multi-year contracts
• Responsible for drafting, evaluating, negotiating various agreements such as, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Sales/Purchase Agreements, Subcontracts, Consulting Agreements, License Agreements, Master Agreements, and other Contractual agreements, such as FAR based contracts, OTAs, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring that agreements/terms and conditions comply with all applicable regulations and requirements, while also adhering to company policies.
• Manage and monitor the performance of long-term contracts and agreements. Analyze and concisely summarize contractual obligations, commitments, and performance for internal stakeholders. Analyze the impact of modifications and revisions to contract terms and prepare recommendations and risk reviews for management
• Coordinate flow-downs of terms and conditions with all functional departments including program management, engineering, product support, finance, quality, supply chain management, manufacturing, as required.
• Liaison with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and other audit agencies. Additionally, may lead audits both internal and external to the company.
• Oversee maintenance of accurate files for each contract which will include original contract, all correspondences, changes/deviations, modification/amendments, clarifications, etc.
• Review uploaded contracts related data in business systems to ensure data is accurate and complete.
• Oversee maintenance and retrieval of contract documents/files and validated data, preparation of reports and leading status reviews
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience performing duties and responsibilities in an aerospace/defense/ government contracting environment
• Presently hold or capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance (Secret, Top Secret Preferred).
• Current expertise in Federal and International regulations, and relevant legal concepts
• Significant experience in directly related International and DoD/Federal prime government contract administration/management.
• Entrepreneurial focus and ability to thrive and excel in a dynamic and technically focused environment.
• Demonstrated business acumen with experience in developing innovative solutions and a successful record of problem solving.
• An ability to translate between business and technical risk and communicate clearly to leadership.
• Significant senior level experience in directly related DoD/Federal prime government contract administration/management, including background working full spectrum of contract types
• Proven Contract Drafting and Negotiation skills.
• FAR/DFAR knowledge; OTA knowledge, working knowledge of US Government acquisition laws and regulations
• Broad experience with a variety of contract types: firm fixed price, cost-type, commercial/non-commercial, production, development and sustainment
• Broad experience with license, non-disclosure and teaming agreements
• Proven working knowledge with the requirements of Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (ie FAR Part 15)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation).
• Demonstrated capability working successfully in a collaborative environment that inspires confidence in co-workers and customers.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) certified and Advanced Degree preferred
• A Key contributor to continuous improvement and implementation of company procedures and contract management processes
• Works well with varying seniority levels, including staff, managers and external partners
• Highly organized individual with the ability to conduct business in a professional manner
• Demonstrates, critical thinking, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Process-oriented, results and deadline-driven; Professional appearance and conduct at all times
• Demonstrates familiarity with finance and accounting procedures
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.
• May