Contracts Director

Salute Hospitality delivers dining solutions for the military. American owned and mission ready, we support service members, families, and base communities each day, with wellness built into everything we do: menus designed for strength, energy, and endurance, from chefs who treat every meal as part of the job. Capability Built. Mission Ready. Here for the Full Journey.

The Director, Contracts is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of federal government contracts across Aramark’s Salute program — our military and defense food service brand operating across U.S. military installations nationwide. From initial proposal through final closeout, this role ensures compliance with federal regulations, Aramark policies, and contract terms while managing performance, mitigating risk, and resolving issues as they arise.

This position serves as the internal go-to expert on federal contracting, providing in-depth guidance and support across multiple accounts and divisions within Aramark. The Director works closely with Legal, Finance, Operations, and Business Development teams to protect Aramark’s contractual interests and drive operational alignment across the Salute portfolio.

Job Responsibilities

Contract Lifecycle Management
Manage federal contracts from proposal through closeout
Track key dates, deliverables, modifications, and reporting using Smartsheet.
Review, negotiate and execute contract terms with Legal and Finance.
Develop budgets, manage funding changes, prepare REAs, and submit documentation to contracting offices.

Collaboration & Communication
Serve as the primary internal resource for federal contracts and AbilityOne subcontracts.
Partner with SourceAmerica to management AbilityOne requirements and resolve issues
Maintain oversight of contract performance, compliance, and financial reconciliation
Communicate contract changes to leadership and maintain organized documentation
Identify and mitigate risks across the portfolio

Financial Oversight
Oversee invoicing, payments, and cost reporting; prepare financial reports for internal and federal stakeholders.
Validate and submit monthly invoices and track payments, cash flow, and outstanding items using Smartsheet.

Operational Excellence & Reporting
Develop standardized procedures for contract and operational management.
Track capital spends, project, and performance metrics
Support Quarterly Business Reviews and provide ad-hoc reporting and data insights.

Training & Process Guidance
Train Aramark teams on federal contracting, FAR, SCA compliance and best practices.
Provide guidance across lines of business to ensure consistent adherence to regulatory standards.

Proposal & RFP Support
Guide Business Development Directors through SAM.gov processes.
Review federal opportunities (RFPs, RFIs, Sources Sought) and support proposal development.
Attend site visits, provide proposal content, and engage with contracting personnel to support growth.

Project Management
Lead project management for new Salute location launches and facility refreshes, including micro market design and installation.
Coordinate with capital equipment vendors on specifications, estimates, and installation.
Use Smartsheet to support client initiatives and broader business projects.

Federal Payment Administration
Oversee federal payment platforms and ensure accurate, timely processing across accounts.

Qualifications

Required 

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in federal contract management, government contracting, or a closely related field. 
• Military experience required — active duty, reserve, or direct professional experience working with or within a military installation environment. Familiarity with federal government contracting processes, DoD contract structures, and military operational culture is essential. 
• Strong working knowledge of federal acquisition regulations (FAR), Service Contract Act (SCA) compliance, and AbilityOne program requirements. 
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or multi-contract federal portfolios. 
• Proficiency in Smartsheet or equivalent project management and contract tracking tools. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Contract Management, Finance, or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered. 

Preferred 

• Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) food service contracts or Government Food Service (GFS) programs. 
• Familiarity with SAM.gov, federal RFP/RFI processes, and government procurement platforms. 
• Prior experience with Aramark or a large managed services or food service company operating under federal contracts. 
• Experience with Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REA) and federal contract modification processes. 
• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) or equivalent professional certification a plus. 

Education