Associate Director, Contracts

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

 

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

 

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.   We understand the value of diversity and its impact on a high-performance culture.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.   

 

Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.

Responsibilities

We’re looking for a full time Contracts Associate Director with 10+ years of Department of Defense contracts experience, to lead and manage a small team of Contracts professionals and direct all aspects of contract management activities for the business, including proposal support and negotiation, post- award administration, change management, and closeout. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to serve as a valued business leader that drives excellence in contracting, then we want to hear from you!  This position is a hybrid role, requiring a minimum of 3 days/week of in office support at our Cambridge, MA office.

 

The Associate Director of Contracts provides leadership and direction to members of the Navy Strategic Contracts team and guidance to the cross-functional Program Team in our matrixed organization and is a leader within the Draper Contracts organization. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance to our Corporate Policies and Procedures, assessing and enhancing the health of our customer partnerships, implementing strategic initiatives in support of corporate goals and program imperatives, and monitoring performance and risk across a critical portfolio of Contracts. The Associate Director of Contracts works closely with Programs, Finance, Subcontracts, and Legal to maintain and improve our cross-functional business management processes that include all aspects of contract administration and life cycle management.

 

 

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBLITIES INCLUDE

• Provide guidance, support and mentorship to a small contracts staff in the areas of solicitation review, proposal development, contract negotiation, contract administration, change management and contract closeout
• Manage team performance for timely compliance with regulations, corporate policy, procedure and internal directives
• Manage contracts of high complexity across multiple contract types
• Support Program Office with proposal development in compliance with solicitation requirements, internal policy and regulations
• Interpret contract requirements, assess risk and propose mitigations
• Negotiate contracts including terms associated with prime contracts and business to business agreements
• Advise on complex change management
• Identify areas for process improvement, propose alternatives and implement updates
• Develops and applies solutions to complex problems which require the regular use a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, and innovation.
• Building and maintaining highly effective working relationships with internal customers and external US Government personnel
• Guide & mentor direct reports in the proper application of contract management principles including FAR & DFAR interpretation, TINA Requirements, and cost principles. Develop and implement effective training plans and foster an environment of continuous learning.  Foster a culture of compliance, transparency and continuous impro