Director of Contracts

Parallax Advanced Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

Position Summary

The Parallax Advanced Research mission is to deliver innovative research and provide technology, human, and business solutions through The Science of Intelligent Teaming™ for government, industry, and academic clients.

The Director of Contracts provides strategic leadership and oversight for the company’s contracts function, ensuring speed of execution, compliance, effective risk management, and successful execution of federal government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle.

This role partners with executive leadership, business development, finance, program management, legal, security, IT, and operations to support growth while protecting the company’s interests.

This is a working leader position. The position will directly supervise Contracts personnel and will function as an individual contributor while providing strategic and team leadership, mentoring, workload coordination, and process oversight.

• The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
• Lead start to finish administration of prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, and other agreements.
• Lead negotiations with U.S. Government contracting officers, prime contractors, and subcontractors.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS (as applicable), ITAR/EAR, OCI, and subcontracting requirements.
• Support capture and proposal teams for RFPs, OTAs, BAAs, CSOs, and other acquisition methods.
• Oversee funding versus ceiling controls, contract modifications, closeouts, and subcontract flow-downs.
• Develop scalable policies, metrics, dashboards, and contract lifecycle processes.
• Support DCAA, DCMA, CPSR readiness, M&A due diligence, and executive Contract Review Boards.
• Pass all required audits without any major findings.
• Leadership & Team Development (30%)
• Lead an energetic and active Contract function while providing oversight and acting as the signature authority for the company.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and technical direction to contract personnel, ensuring effective personnel management. task oversight, and adherence to organizational standards.
• Assign workload and establish priorities.
• Mentor and develop staff through coaching and cross-training.
• Conduct peer reviews and quality assurance reviews.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning.
• Exercise delegated signature authority and contractual authority in accordance with the Parallax Authorization Matrix and any delegated authority.

• Lead administration of complex government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, OTAs, CRADAs, commercial agreements, and subcontracts.
• Independently negotiate contract terms and conditions with customers and subcontractors.
• Interpret FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and financial assistance regulations.
• Advise executive leadership and Program Managers regarding contractual obligations, risks, and opportunities.
• Resolve complex contractual issues while balancing business objectives and compliance. Lead contract kickoff meetings and support contract closeout activities.
• Identify contractual, financial, schedule, and compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies in coordination with Program Management and executive leadership.

• Lead purchasing and procurement operations in accordance with company policies, the Authorization Matrix, and applicable regulations.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions, purchase orders, justifications, price analyses, and procurement documentation for quality and compliance.
• Ensure procurement files are…