Director of Contracts

Director Of Contracts

Parallax Advanced Research mission is to deliver innovative research and provide technology, human, and business solutions through The Science of Intelligent Teaming™ for government, industry, and academic clients. The Director of Contracts provides strategic leadership and oversight for the company's contracts function, ensuring speed of execution, compliance, effective risk management, and successful execution of federal government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle. This role partners with executive leadership, business development, finance, program management, legal, security, IT, and operations to support growth while protecting the company's interests. This is a working leader position. The position will directly supervise Contracts personnel and will function as an individual contributor while providing strategic and team leadership, mentoring, workload coordination, and process oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead start to finish administration of prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, and other agreements.
• Lead negotiations with U.S. Government contracting officers, prime contractors, and subcontractors.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS (as applicable), ITAR/EAR, OCI, and subcontracting requirements.
• Support capture and proposal teams for RFPs, OTAs, BAAs, CSOs, and other acquisition methods.
• Oversee funding versus ceiling controls, contract modifications, closeouts, and subcontract flow-downs.
• Develop scalable policies, metrics, dashboards, and contract lifecycle processes.
• Support DCAA, DCMA, CPSR readiness, M&A due diligence, and executive Contract Review Boards.
• Pass all required audits without any major findings.

Essential Duties

• Leadership & Team Development (30%)
• Lead an energetic and active Contract function while providing oversight and acting as the signature authority for the company.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and technical direction to contract personnel, ensuring effective personnel management. task oversight, and adherence to organizational standards.
• Assign workload and establish priorities.
• Mentor and develop staff through coaching and cross-training.
• Conduct peer reviews and quality assurance reviews.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning.
• Exercise delegated signature authority and contractual authority in accordance with the Parallax Authorization Matrix and any delegated authority.

Contract Administration & Management (25%)

• Lead administration of complex government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, OTAs, CRADAs, commercial agreements, and subcontracts.
• Independently negotiate contract terms and conditions with customers and subcontractors.
• Interpret FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and financial assistance regulations.
• Advise executive leadership and Program Managers regarding contractual obligations, risks, and opportunities.
• Resolve complex contractual issues while balancing business objectives and compliance. Lead contract kickoff meetings and support contract closeout activities.
• Identify contractual, financial, schedule, and compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies in coordination with Program Management and executive leadership.

Purchasing & Process Improvement (25%)

• Lead purchasing and procurement operations in accordance with company policies, the Authorization Matrix, and applicable regulations.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions, purchase orders, justifications, price analyses, and procurement documentation for quality and compliance.
• Ensure procurement files are complete and audit-ready.
• Develop, implement, and maintain procurement policies, SOPs, templates, and standard work instructions.
• Monitor purchasing workload, cycle times, and customer service metrics.
• Resolve procurement issues and provide guidance to budget owners, project teams, and purchasing staff.
• Lead supplier management activities and coordinate resolution of procurement issues.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes through automation, workflow improvements, and system enhancements.
• Lead and support dashboards, KPIs, reporting, and procurement analytics.
• Serve as the functional owner for purchasing processes within Costpoint and related procurement systems.

Pre-Award & Proposal Support (10%)

• Lead contractual strategy for proposals and capture efforts.
• Review solicitations and identify contractual risks.
• Support proposal development and pricing strategy.
• Negotiate teaming agreements, NDAs, consulting agreements, MOUs, and subcontracts.
• Review customer terms and conditions and develop negotiation positions.

Process Improvement & Compliance, and Strategic Initiatives (10%)

• Develop and maintain contracting policies, SOPs, templates, and training.
• Lead internal compliance initiatives and contract file audits.
• Support DCMA, DCAA, CMMC, customer, and internal audits.
• Develop metrics and dashboards to improve contracting performance.
• Evaluate, implement, and leverage automation and AI-enabled tools to improve contract lifecycle management while ensuring appropriate oversight and compliance.
• Support strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborate on enterprise business process improvements.
• Support implementation of contract lifecycle management tools.
• Participate in executive initiatives supporting organizational growth.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• US Citizenship capable of obtaining and keeping a TS Clearance
• Bachelor's degree and 12–15+ years of federal government contracts experience.
• 5+ years leading contracts professionals.
• Extensive FAR/DFARS knowledge and experience with FFP, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ, and OTA contracts.
• Preferred: MBA/JD, NCMA certification (CPCM/CFCM/CCCM).
• In-Depth knowledge of the FAR, DFAR, and other agency supplements.
• In-Depth knowledge of 2 CFR 200 "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Master's degree in business or Related Field. Candidates with a J.D/attorney background and contract management experience are highly preferred,
• MBA/JD, NCMA certification (CPCM/CFCM/CCCM)
• Experience with Deltek Cost Point.
• Experience with Research and Development (R&D) contracts.
• A Professional Certification, such as National Contract Management Association (NCMA) CPCM, CFCM, or CCCM.
• Experience working with non-profit organizations.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods while working at a computer
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a keyboard mouse, and other office equipment.
• Ability to talk and hear both in person and by telephone/video calls.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, kneel or reach.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-20 lbs. of equipment.
• May require repetitive motion (typing, mouse use) for extended periods..