Manager of Task Order Management and Pricing

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

As the Manager of Task Order Management and Pricing, you serve as the senior business leader responsible for cross‑divisional thrusts to develop the contractual authority necessary to place efforts on contract. These efforts include not only NASA, but other government agencies and commercial sponsors through the NASA/Caltech Prime and the Caltech Contracting Mechanism (CCM). In this role you will manage Task Order Management (2531) and Pricing (2532), while closely coordinating with the Contracts Management, Policy & Compliance Section on prime contract matters.

This role requires a strong understanding of the Caltech/NASA Prime contract as it relates to direct NASA work and reimbursable Inter‑Agency Agreements (IAA) and Space Act Agreement (SAA) efforts as well as the CCM process. You will shape contracting strategies, strengthen institutional processes, and cultivate a strong partnership relationship with the NASA Office of JPL Management and Oversight (NOJMO) and NASA directorates.

• Coordinate with the Contracts Management, Policy & Compliance Section to resolve, reconcile, and address contractual and pricing issues.
• Partner closely with NOJMO, the NASA Enterprise Pricing Office and the cognizant NASA directorates to drive strategies for ensuring uninterrupted flow of work to the lab.
• Act as a thought partner to PBMD leadership, contributing insights that influence as they pertain to contractual matters and how to leverage solutions from possible changes in contractual and pricing policies.
• Foster a collaborative environment that supports integrated cross‑divisional business operations and unified programmatic stewardship.
• Work with FFRDC Communities of Practice to address and get ahead of common issues.
• Forge and sustain strong, influential partnerships with stakeholders and customers to drive alignment, strengthen organizational positioning, and advance strategic objectives.
• Seek efficiencies and streamline approaches to accelerate the organization’s ability to bring in work.

• Provide the CFO/Director for Financial & Business Operations and PBMD with independent insight into contractual and pricing matters.
• Identify, assess, and communicate risks, issues, and concerns with clarity, objectivity, and actionable context.
• Deliver high‑quality assessments and recommendations to the Director For and Managers to support informed decision making.

• Attract, develop, and retain a diverse, highly qualified workforce of contract management and pricing professionals.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development for direct reports and emerging talent.

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related discipline with a minimum of 12 years of related experience; or Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 8 years related experience. Minimum of 8 years of management experience.
• Broad multidisciplinary knowledge of industry best practices in contract, personnel, and program/project management.
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and other government and/or commercial contracting principles.
• Extensive experience and knowledge across all phases of the project life cycle to provide appropriate contractual and pricing support.
• Proven leadership skills and demonstrated ability to develop, motivate, coach, and maintain a high performing team.
• High degree of attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong communicator with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively in verbal, written, and presentation formats.
• Ability to travel based on office requirements.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI…