Contracts Manager - Level 5

Contracts Manager – Level 5 What You Will Be Doing

As a Contracts Manager – Level 5, you will lead a high‑performing contracts team responsible for managing complex agreements from capture and proposal development through negotiation, award, execution, and closeout. In this key leadership role, you will oversee the full spectrum of contract management activities while serving as a trusted advisor to program leadership and cross‑functional partners. You will guide strategy, drive business outcomes, ensure compliance, and represent the organization as the primary contractual interface with customer contracting professionals.

This position plays a critical role in shaping contract solutions, mitigating risks, strengthening customer relationships, and enabling successful program performance.

• Provide leadership, direction, and development for a team of contract professionals, including recruitment, performance management, training, and recognition.
• Oversee contract formation and administration activities across the program lifecycle—from capture strategy and proposal preparation to award, execution, modification, and closeout.
• Serve as the authorized company representative in negotiations with customer acquisition personnel, ensuring business objectives, risk posture, and compliance requirements are met.
• Interpret and apply contractual terms, statutory/regulatory requirements, and company policies to support decision‑making and mitigate contractual and business risks.
• Partner closely with Program Management, Finance, Legal, Engineering, Business Development, Subcontracts, Compliance, and other functional teams to support program execution and business priorities.
• Address and resolve contractual issues, customer concerns, and performance‑related matters with professionalism and urgency.
• Ensure full adherence to Delegation of Authority, corporate approvals, and FAR/DFARS compliance requirements.
• Lead and support internal/external audits, fact‑finding activities, and customer engagements to validate compliance and support contractual actions.
• Ensure all final contract documents accurately reflect agreements reached in negotiations.
• Develop, refine, and deliver training on contract management practices and processes as needed.
• Compile and report contract metrics and data for corporate and business area reviews.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a related discipline or 6 years of experience in the absence of a bachelor’s degree.
• Experience working as a team lead, manager, or organization lead role demonstrating the ability to provide guidance and direction to staff.
• Prior experience leading proposal preparation, submittals, and negotiations of proposals and contracts in support of USG and/or commercial efforts.
• Demonstrated experience working in classified program environments; specific experience working in SAP/SAR or TS/SCI environments is required.
• Expert‑level understanding of different contract types (FFP, FPIF, CPIF, CPFF, CPAF, T&M), including appropriate applications for each based on program and product maturity; ability to articulate changes in terms and to negotiate effectively.
• Knowledgeable in the application of acquisition regulations (FAR, DFARS, and others) and USG Intellectual Property terms and data rights assertions.
• U.S. citizenship required; candidate must have an active Secret clearance (or higher) before starting.

• 8 + years of experience working as a Contracts professional with demonstrated experience managing complex negotiations.
• Secondary education such as a Master’s Degree or Juris Doctorate.
• Ability to work independently under very limited supervision, demonstrating strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Willing and able to engage on routine and unique problems/issues to develop solutions in areas of subject‑matter expertise.

This position requires a government security clearance; you must be a U.S. citizen for consideration.

$111,700 – $196,880 (excluding most major metropolitan…