Senior Contracts Manager

Apply now Job No: 503332
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: Research Institute Staff
Department: CGO Materials - 250243
Pay Grade: P3/P4 - Exempt
Advertised: February 24, 2026
Applications close: March 09, 2026

The Contracts Manager provides advice and support to proposal teams, operations leadership and senior management. They are responsible for all aspects of contracting from pre-award support, contract negotiation and award, resolution of post-award issues and support of close-out.

• Developing a clear understanding of customer and program requirements and providing advice and support to proposal teams to ensure compliance with request-for-proposal or customer guidelines, applicable regulations and University policies.
• Thoroughly review solicitations and perform pricing related analysis, lead and develop the proposal cost/price strategy, author the cost and business volume, and ensure the cost proposal is of the highest quality prior to submission.
• Review terms and conditions to address provisions and risks of financial terms, acceptance criteria, delivery requirements, warranties, intellectual property, termination provisions, indemnification and all other potential risk areas and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Recommend changes, additions, and deletions to the contract structure to ensure accurate reflection of customer requirements and alignment with University policies.
• Negotiate fixed fee and provide fee justification to the customer, ensuring that the profit/fee is consistent with and appropriate for the contract type, identified program risks, market standards, and Research Institute requirements.
• Ensure the contract and statement of work are consistent with pricing assumptions to effectively manage financial risk related to contract terms and conditions, and ensure the underlying cost estimate is consistent with and appropriately addresses performance risk.
• Establish equitable payment terms, facilitate timely payments through coordinated oversight with Research Accounting of the invoicing process, and ensure customer compliance with payment terms and University cash-flow requirements.
• Efficiently and collaboratively negotiate contractual modifications and resolve customer issues.

• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of six years of experience, including experience with federal government contracting of research efforts; OR a Master's plus a minimum of five years of experience, including experience with federal government contracting of research efforts.
• Two years of experience working for a Defense Contractor in support of Department of Defense programs.
• Sound knowledge of the federal acquisition process, government contracting principles, the bid and proposal process (including budget development), and governing regulations, including Federal Acquisition Regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to federal contracting.
• Sound understanding of commercial contracts, business agreements, business law and general business practices, including demonstrated experience in reviewing terms and conditions, identifying risk areas and proposing and negotiating favorable terms.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of contracting principles and all contract types including Firm Fixed Price, Time and Material, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Cost Reimbursable.
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience in contract administration.
• Knowledge of ITAR and US import and export regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational and communication skills including both written and verbal communications.
• Successful experience working and collaborating with various and diverse constituents.
• Experience managing multiple work assignments and meet critical deadlines.
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of ten years of experience; OR a Master's plus a minimum of nine years…