DOD Contracts Manager

Job Title: DOD Contracts Manager

Job Description

The DOD Contracts Manager provides hybrid (in-person and remote) support to business and project teams by overseeing the full lifecycle of federal contracts, ensuring strict compliance with contract terms and applicable regulations. This role advises on contract management strategies, policy compliance, and risk mitigation, while serving as a key liaison between internal teams, external clients or vendors, and Legal. The position focuses on managing complex Department of Defense contracts from cradle to grave, maintaining documentation, and enabling informed decision-making at all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide hybrid (in-person and work-from-home) contract management support to business units and project teams, ensuring adherence to contract management policies and procedures.

• Respond to complex inquiries regarding contract obligations, interpretations, and revisions, and propose alternatives that lead to effective and practical solutions.

• Review and manage the contractual obligations of all parties, performing continual review to ensure that all terms and conditions are fully met.

• Prepare, maintain, and disseminate information related to proposals, contract status, compliance requirements, modifications, and associated documentation.

• Manage contracts on a day-to-day basis by advising on strategic direction, interpreting contract language, and clearly explaining the consequences of actions or inaction.

• Proactively identify and resolve issues and disputes, reduce the potential for litigation, and help protect the organization's reputation.

• Act as a primary liaison between the client, project team or business unit, and the Legal function to ensure all legal and contractual matters are addressed efficiently and promptly.

• Implement and oversee contract management processes, ensuring consistency and compliance across engagements.

• Serve as the primary point of contact between project teams or business units and Legal, facilitating timely review and resolution of contractual issues.

• Act as a liaison between the organization and external clients or vendors, ensuring clear communication on contractual obligations and changes.

• Inform project teams of contract requirements, obligations, and key milestones, and monitor compliance throughout the contract lifecycle.

• Develop, implement, and integrate contract management tools, templates, methods, and processes tailored to specific engagements.

• Develop a strong understanding of the organization's major business areas, such as system integration and outsourcing, to provide relevant and practical contract management advice to executives.

• Present contract-related information, risks, and recommendations to executives and contracting officers in a clear and professional manner.

• Support risk management activities throughout the cradle-to-grave contract lifecycle, including identification, assessment, and mitigation of contractual risks.

• Provide training and guidance to contract management or program personnel on contract processes, tools, and best practices as needed.

• Maintain accurate and organized contract files and records, ensuring traceability of changes, correspondence, deliverables, and approvals.

Essential Skills

• 7 years of contract management experience, including hands-on negotiations experience.

• 4 years of experience working in a government contracting environment.

• Federal government contracting experience (excluding acquisition administration or purely government staff roles).

• 7+ years of experience with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).

• Strong knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

• Proven cradle-to-grave contracts experience, including risk management throughout the contract lifecycle.

• Demonstrated ability to manage contracts in a fast-paced workload environment.

• Experience presenting complex contract information, risks, and recommendations to executives and contracting officers.

• Experience with contracts administration for federal contracts.

• Ability to identify contractual risks and issues and suggest practical alternatives and solutions.

• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing and integrating contract management tools, templates, methods, and processes for specific engagements.

• Ability to build a strong understanding of major business areas such as system integration and outsourcing in order to provide tailored contract advice.

• Experience acting as a liaison between internal business units, project teams, Legal, and external clients or vendors.

• Experience providing training or mentoring to contract management or program personnel.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and explain contractual requirements and status.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to track and monitor contract changes, deliverables, correspondence, and risks.

Work Environment

The role operates in a hybrid work environment that combines remote work with on-site presence. The DOD Contracts Manager must be able to work from home for day-to-day responsibilities and also travel into offices in locations such as Chantilly or Arlington for executive meetings and key in-person engagements. The work involves managing a fast-paced workload and collaborating closely with project teams, business units, Legal, and external clients or vendors. The environment emphasizes professionalism, clear communication, and adherence to federal contracting regulations and security requirements.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chantilly, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $74.51/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 2, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.