Senior Contracts Manager and Buyer

University of Maryland; United States; On-site; USD 133,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland's Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) seeks a Senior Contracts Manager and Buyer to lead all procurement activities for the laboratory, from planning through closeout, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS/Uniform Guidance and sponsor requirements.

The role requires eight years of procurement experience, DoD or sponsor-sensitive programs, and the ability to work with PIs and leadership across ARLIS, Procurement & Business Services, and Research

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Eight years of experience in procurement or acquisition management.
• Experience with DoD-sponsored or classified research procurements.
• Experience with Workday or similar ERP.
• Security clearance up to TS/SCI preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all procurement activity for the ARLIS laboratory from planning to closeout.
• Administer contracts and purchase orders and ensure regulatory compliance (FAR/DFARS/Uniform Guidance).
• Provide acquisition guidance to Principal Investigators and leadership across ARLIS.
• Develop procurement procedures, internal controls, and audit-ready documentation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across ARLIS, Procurement & Business Services, Research Administration, Export Control, Security, and GC.

Skills

Procurement regs

Negotiation

Communication

Integrity

Procurement mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description Summary Organization's Summary Statement: The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth. The Senior Contracts Manager and Buyer serves as the lead procurement professional for the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), and is responsible for leading all procurement activity for the laboratory, from acquisition planning and solicitation through award, administration, and closeout. It supports a portfolio that includes Department of Defense-sponsored, classified, and other sponsor-sensitive research programs and requires the ability to operate effectively in complex, highly regulated, and security-conscious research environments. The position reports to the ARLIS Director of Operations, maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship to the University of Maryland Chief Procurement Officer, exercises delegated procurement signature authority on behalf of the University, and serves as the primary liaison between ARLIS and Procurement & Business Services. Incumbent is responsible for planning, soliciting, negotiating, awarding, administering, and closing out a broad range of procurements and provides acquisition strategy and procurement guidance to Principal Investigators and laboratory leadership, administers contracts and purchase orders, and ensures procurement activities are executed efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policies. The position also develops and maintains procurement procedures, internal controls, and audit-ready documentation; manages procurement activity within University systems; supports audits and reporting requirements; and collaborates with stakeholders across ARLIS, Procurement & Business Services, Research Administration, Export Control, Security, and the Office of General Counsel to support complex acquisition requirements. The position ensures that all procurement actions comply with applicable federal regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), as well as State of Maryland procurement law, University System of Maryland Procurement Policies and Procedures, and University of Maryland procurement policies, while delivering responsive, mission-aligned acquisition support to research programs.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of public procurement principles and applicable regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and State of Maryland and University System of Maryland procurement policies.
• Knowledge of solicitation methods, contract types, and procurement documentation requirements across the full acquisition lifecycle.
• Skill in negotiating pricing, terms, and conditions and in performing cost and price analyses to support award decisions.
• Skill in building collaborative relationships and effectively communicating procurement requirements, status, and constraints to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and integrity in the execution of delegated signature authority.
• Ability to manage a high volume of concurrent procurement actions while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and customer responsiveness.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and policies to novel procurement situations.

Preferred Qualifications Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field.

Experience

• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, or acquisition management, preferably within higher education, government, or a federally regulated environment.
• Experience leading procurements in support of Department of Defense-sponsored, classified, or other sponsor-sensitive research programs.
• Experience exercising delegated procurement or signature authority within a university, State of Maryland, or other public-sector procurement organization.
• Experience administering subcontracts or purchase orders containing federal flowdown requirements under FAR/DFARS-based prime awards.
• Experience with Workday or comparable e-procurement and ERP systems.
• Professional procurement certification such as CPPO, CPPB, CPM, CPSM, CPCM, or CFCM.
• Experience supporting classified research programs and coordinating procurement-related security, export control, and research administration requirements.
• Current or prior U.S. Government security clearance up to the TS/SCI level.

License/Certifications

N/A

Minimum Qualifications Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience managing federally funded sponsored research projects or research administration.

Other

• Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.
• Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of project management methodologies and best practices as applied to sponsored research projects.
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and institutional policy requirements.
• Skill in developing and managing project schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Skill in analyzing financial data and project performance metrics using Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and compliance issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with PIs, sponsors, and leadership, including preparation of project reports and briefings.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects with limited supervision in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

Additional Job Details Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, Resume, List of References Best Consideration Date: 10/16/26 Posting Close Date: N/A Open Until Filled: YES Job Risks Not Applicable to This Position Financial Disclosure Required Yes For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources

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Department VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security Worker Sub-Type Staff

Regular Salary Range $132,920 - $159,504