Senior Contracts Specialist

FM Talent; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

FM Talent in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Contracts Specialist to manage complex acquisition and procurement activities through the full lifecycle. You will lead strategy, solicitations, contract administration, negotiations, and governance, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

This onsite role offers some hybrid days and requires a ten-year track record in acquisition management, strong negotiation and communication skills, and certifications such as PMP or FAC-C.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in acquisition management or closely related field.
• Strong knowledge of contracting laws, regulations, policies, and governance.
• Experience supporting federal government acquisition functions is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex acquisition and procurement activities from planning through award and closeout.
• Lead non-standard and complex procurements, including construction contracts.
• Develop strategies, plans, specifications, solicitation packages, and related materials.
• Ensure compliance with contracting laws, regulations, policies, standards, and governance.
• Coordinate requirements among stakeholders, end users, vendors, and Board staff.
• Conduct negotiations and support resolution of procurement issues and contractor performance concerns.
• Review and maintain procurement documentation involving complex matters.
• Provide technical guidance and support to procurement staff and stakeholders.
• Monitor multiple procurement actions with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Promote procurement best practices and process improvements.

Skills

Acquisition management

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Senior Contracts Specialist serves as a subject matter expert responsible for managing complex acquisition and procurement activities throughout the procurement lifecycle. This role supports acquisition planning, solicitation development, contract administration, negotiations, policy compliance, and procurement governance activities while ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and best practices. The position works closely with stakeholders, vendors, and internal staff to support strategic procurement initiatives and resolve complex contracting matters. This position is contingent upon contract award.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage complex acquisition and procurement activities from planning through contract award, administration, and closeout.
• Lead non-standard and complex procurements, including procurements involving construction contracts.
• Develop acquisition strategies, procurement plans, contract specifications, solicitation packages, acquisition documentation, and related procurement materials.
• Ensure compliance with applicable contracting laws, procurement regulations, policies, standards, and governance requirements.
• Coordinate procurement requirements among internal stakeholders, end users, vendors, and Board staff.
• Conduct negotiations and support the resolution of procurement issues, contract disputes, and contractor performance concerns.
• Review, interpret, prepare, and maintain procurement and contracting documentation involving moderate to complex matters.
• Provide technical guidance and acquisition support to procurement staff and project stakeholders.
• Monitor multiple procurement actions simultaneously while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Promote procurement best practices and provide recommendations for process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in acquisition management, procurement, contracting, acquisition policy, acquisition governance, project management, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex procurement and contract actions.
• Strong knowledge of contracting and procurement laws, regulations, policies, principles, standards, and best practices.
• Experience applying government and commercial contracting principles, statutes, regulations, solicitations, and procurement processes.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and develop procurement and contracting documentation involving complex issues.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, Economics, Mathematics, English, Government, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Experience supporting federal government acquisition and procurement functions is strongly preferred.

Required Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C), Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM), DAWIA certification, or equivalent certification required.

Required Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to prepare and maintain procurement documentation, contract files, acquisition packages, reports, and presentations.

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment in resolving complex procurement matters.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively interact with vendors, stakeholders, and internal staff.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong technical, interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and stakeholder support.

This position is primarily onsite at International Square in Washington, DC, with some hybrid days available upon approval. The selected candidate must be flexible with onsite hours and available to attend certain meetings in person. The role reports to a Senior Advisor and Director.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior-level acquisition and contracting professional with extensive experience managing complex procurement actions, preferably in a federal government environment. This person should bring strong knowledge of acquisition regulations, excellent communication skills, a customer-focused approach, and the ability to independently manage analytical, non-standardized, and widely varied contract responsibilities.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.