Sr. Contracts Manager

Purpose and Scope:

The Senior Contracts Manager plays an integral role in managing, negotiating, and overseeing complex commercial contracts and agreements.  This position ensures contract compliance, mitigates risk, and supports business objectives across the project lifecycle for the business line.  The role requires strategic thinking, attention to detail, and extensive experience in contract law, negotiation, and supplier/customer relationship management.   The Senior Contracts Manager is responsible for all aspects of contract development and administration, enforcement of contracts policies, procedures, methods, operating practices and performance standards for assigned programs consistent with corporate policies and procedures.  Develop and negotiate complex contract agreements and perform essential liaison functions between internal and external customers to reach the best business solution for the supported clients while meeting company business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

~ Lead review, drafting, negotiation and lifecycle management of a wide range of commercial contracts (e.g. NDAs, MSAs, purchasing agreements, subcontractor/teaming arrangements and client contracts).  ~ Provide expert guidance on contractual obligations, commercial risk, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  ~ Advise senior management team on complex contractual terms, including indemnities, limitation of liability, IP rights, terminations, payment terms, and dispute resolution.  ~ Maintain responsibility over all commercial Master Support Agreements (MSAs), Teaming arrangements, and Sub-contracted partnerships within the Commercial business line.  ~ Collaborate and partner closely with operations, business development, global supply chain, finance, project/program management teams and legal teams to structure and close deals that are legally sound, commercially viable, and aligned to company business objectives.  ~  Monitor contract performance, deliverables, and milestones; manage amendments, renewals, file management, and close-out procedures.  ~  Identify and mitigate contractual risks; escalate critical issues to senior leadership, as needed.  ~  Develop and maintain standard contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation guidelines.  ~  Ensures contract information in the company contract’s database is current, accurate, and complete.  ~  Participate in company contracts enhancement initiatives focused on the training and development of junior contracts staff and commercial contracts managers/administrators.   ~  Support dispute resolution, claims management, and audits when required.  ~  Works on unusually complex problems, providing solutions requiring sophisticated and advanced techniques and procedures.  ~  Monitors operational and financial objectives, funding, and payments for assigned business segment.  ~  Advises and guides management of contractual rights and obligations and provides interpretations of terms and conditions.  ~  Advises business segment regarding contractual disputes, claim resolutions, and outside audits.    

Minimum Position Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

~  Bachelor’s degree (preferred in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Law or related field.

~  Two (2) years Contracts Management or related field experience can be substituted for each year of the four (4) years of college. Prefer at least five (5) years supervisory/management experience. Ten (10) years of experience in contract administration. 

~  Thorough knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) and related federal and state legislation and regulations. 

~  Knowledge of Service Contract Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act.

~  Strong understanding of contract law, procurement, and commercial negotiations.

~  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

~  High level of attention to details and analytical ability.

~  Proficiency in Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools.

~  Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, specifically PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

~  Effective leadership and interpersonal skills, with strong critical thinking and analytical skills. 

~  Position may require the ability to pass and maintain a Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

~  Strong understanding of US common law principles as they apply to service contracts, with the ability to navigate and advise on variations across all fifty states

~  Familiarization with the FAR/DFARS, the UCC, and/or international contracting frameworks (if applicable)

~  Professional contract management certification (e.g. NCMA CPCM)