Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager

CGI Federal is seeking a highly skilled Senior Contracts Manager to lead the full lifecycle of contracts management (strategy, negotiation, execution, and compliance) for a Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) program in Aberdeen, MD. This role is central to ensuring our program's contractual foundation remains solid, audit-ready, and fully aligned with Defense acquisition regulations. The Senior Contracts Manager will guide and manage government-facing obligations with precision and authority.

This leader will not only safeguard contractual integrity but will shape and implement contractual obligations for a highly visible modernization effort. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in Defense contracting, ability to interpret and apply FAR/DFARS requirements, and the confidence to engage with senior government stakeholders. If you excel at turning complex requirements into clear, compliant, and executable contractual frameworks as well as thrive in a fast-paced environment where accuracy and foresight matter, this role is an opportunity to have a defining impact on a mission-critical modernization initiative.

This position is located in Aberdeen, MD.

Your future duties and responsibilities:

• Strategic Contract Leadership
• Lead long-range contract strategy development to support evolving modernization requirements
• Anticipate acquisition pathways and capability growth across multi-year program phases
• Advise senior leadership on strategic contract risks and opportunities
• Acquisition Innovation & Transformation
• Implement modern contracting methods such as agile and modular contracting
• Align contract structures with digital engineering and model-based systems engineering practices
• Develop contract frameworks that support rapid prototyping and accelerated fielding
• Advanced Negotiation & Relationship Management
• Lead high-level negotiations with government and industry partners
• Build strategic, long-term relationships across the program and supply chain
• Represent the program in executive-level reviews and contractual discussions
• Data-Driven Contract Oversight
• Use analytics tools to monitor contract performance and identify risk trends
• Develop predictive models to anticipate cost, schedule, or compliance issues
• Drive process improvements using data insights and audit outcomes
• Regulatory Foresight & Compliance Leadership
• Stay ahead of changes in FAR/DFARS, cybersecurity requirements, and acquisition policy
• Recommend updates to internal processes based on emerging federal regulations
• Serve as the SME for new policies impacting program contracting
• Enterprise Integration & Knowledge Leadership
• Mentor and develop future contracting professionals
• Integrate contracting workflows with program management, engineering, and finance
• Lead capture of lessons learned and best practices across the enterprise
• Contract Execution Excellence
• Standardize tools, templates, and digital workflows for contracting activities
• Ensure audit-ready contract documentation and process transparency
• Maintain flexible contractual frameworks that adapt to new mission priorities

Required qualifications to be successful in this role:

Education:

MA/MS/MBA from an accredited college or university in Business, Finance, Law, Contracts, or a related field. A BA/BS plus 3 additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the graduate degree.

Experience:

8+ years of experience as a Contracts Administrator or Contracts Manager within a DoD acquisition environment. Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering FAR/DFARS-based government contracts. Proven ability to manage contract actions across the full lifecycle (pre-award through closeout). Experience preparing proposals, modifications, cost/price analyses, and contract briefs. Background supporting major defense programs or multi-year government modernization initiatives. Experience assessing contractor performance, monitoring deliverables, and ensuring compliance.

Experience working cross-functionally with finance, program management, engineering, and supply chain.

Knowledge & Technical

Skills:

Deep understanding of FAR, DFARS, and Defense contracting policies. Ability to interpret and structure complex contractual requirements. Proficiency in contract writing systems, audit requirements, and workflow documentation. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for contractual risk identification and mitigation. Familiarity with cost-type, fixed-price, IDIQ, and OTA contracting structures. Ability to develop negotiation strategies and secure favorable terms.

Leadership & Communication

Skills:

Ability to provide contract strategy guidance to senior leadership. Strong written and verbal communication skills for high-level briefings. Experience mentoring or coaching junior contract professionals. Ability to build collaborative relationships with government customers and prime/subcontractors.

Additional

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supporting rapid acquisition, agile contracting, or modernization…