Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Contracts Manager to join an established organization supporting complex manufacturing and government-related programs.

This is a hands-on, individual contributor position for someone who enjoys working directly with contracts, identifying potential risks, negotiating terms, and ensuring contractual obligations are clearly understood and properly managed.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience reviewing and negotiating commercial and government contracts, managing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), evaluating terms and conditions, and ensuring contractual requirements are appropriately flowed down to vendors and subcontractors.

This opportunity is particularly well suited for a contracts professional who is comfortable independently managing the details of contract administration while collaborating with leadership, finance, purchasing, engineering, and program management.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Review and Risk Management

• Conduct detailed reviews of customer contracts, purchase orders, agreements, and related contractual documentation.
• Identify potentially unfavorable provisions, contractual risks, inconsistencies, and areas requiring clarification.
• Review, negotiate, and redline contractual terms and conditions to protect organizational interests.
• Evaluate liability, indemnification, warranties, termination provisions, intellectual property rights, and other contractual obligations.
• Proactively identify contractual concerns and recommend practical solutions before agreements are executed.

Contract Negotiation and Administration

• Manage the contract lifecycle, including review, negotiation, execution, modification, and closeout.
• Prepare, review, negotiate, and administer nondisclosure agreements and confidentiality agreements.
• Support contract negotiations with customers, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Maintain accurate contract documentation and monitor compliance with contractual commitments.
• Review contract modifications and amendments to identify changes in scope, obligations, or risk.

Subcontracts and Flow-Down Requirements

• Review vendor agreements and subcontracts to ensure alignment with customer requirements.
• Identify applicable contractual flow-down provisions and ensure they are properly incorporated into supplier and subcontractor agreements.
• Evaluate subcontractor terms and conditions for potential conflicts or unacceptable risks.
• Work with purchasing and program management to address supplier-related contractual issues.

Government Contracting and Compliance

• Review applicable government contracting requirements, including FAR and DFARS provisions.
• Support compliance with contractual obligations and applicable regulations.
• Assist internal stakeholders in understanding government contract clauses and customer-imposed requirements.
• Identify and help resolve contractual compliance concerns.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with executive leadership, finance, purchasing, engineering, and program management.
• Provide clear guidance regarding contractual requirements, risks, and potential solutions.
• Support proposal reviews, contract negotiations, and post-award contract administration.
• Maintain organized records of contractual agreements, changes, and correspondence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Finance, Legal Studies, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in contract management, contract administration, or a closely related function.
• Strong experience reviewing, negotiating, and redlining complex contractual terms and conditions.
• Experience preparing and managing NDAs, supplier agreements, and subcontracts.
• Understanding of contractual risk identification and mitigation.
• Experience reviewing and implementing contractual flow-down requirements.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and government contracting requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple contractual priorities.
• Ability to work onsite five days per week in the Arlington Area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, government contracting, or complex manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with prime contractor and subcontractor relationships.
• Experience supporting engineered-to-order or project-based manufacturing programs.
• Knowledge of government procurement procedures and compliance requirements.
• Professional contract management certification, such as CPCM or CFCM.