Contracts Manager

Description


Reporting to the CEO and operating at the heart of this small business, this role is responsible for regulatory compliance and contracts. Compliance responsibilities require this individual to establish, maintain, and continuously improve the company's compliance program in support of its U.S. Government defense-industry business. This role will be responsible for translating applicable federal regulations, contractual requirements, and company policies into practical processes and controls.

Contracting responsibilities requires this individual to oversee the full lifecycle of U.S. Government contracts in support of the company's growing defense business. The Contracts Manager will support proposal and contract activities from pre-award through closeout, including solicitations, proposal preparation, contract negotiations, modifications, compliance, subcontract administration and contract file management.

They will require an understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and have experience supporting Department of Defense customers.

The Contracts Manager is expected to be both a strategic advisor and a hands-on program owner who will work closely with leadership, finance, programs and engineering teams to identify compliance risks, maintain required records, support audits and reviews, and promote a strong culture of ethical and responsible business conduct. This is a hands-on role for a compliance and contracts professional who is comfortable working in a small, fast-paced organization where attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Day to day working with the Compliance/Contracts team, Finance Manager, Programs Manager and Engineering Manager as well as the UK based sister defense company
• Travel to supplier and customer sites in the US and to the UK based sister defense company.
• Occasional work or travel outside of normal business hours may be required.
• Work within strict time, budgetary and quality frameworks.
  

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal
• CEO
• VP Business Development
• VP Finance
• Programs/Operations Manager
• Finance Manager
• Engineering Manager
• Security and Admin Staff
• External
• US Government compliance and contracting stakeholders
• Key US suppliers
• UK based sister defense company

Key Responsibilities:

This list is provided as an overview and should not be construed as exhaustive:

• Contract/Subcontract Management
• Manage the day-to-day administration of federal government contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, and related agreements.
• Review contracts, solicitations, statements of work, modifications, and other contractual documents for obligations, risks, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate and complete contract files, including required correspondence, modifications, deliverables, representations and certifications, and closeout documentation.
• Coordinate contract modifications, extensions and other changes with internal stakeholders and government contracting personnel.
• Support contract closeout activities and ensure outstanding obligations are resolved.
• Review federal solicitations and identify contractual, regulatory, and business requirements.
• Support proposal teams with analysis of solicitation terms, representations and certifications, contract clauses, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in negotiations and help develop negotiation positions and supporting documentation.
• Identify contractual risks and communicate material issues to company leadership.
• Interpret and apply applicable provisions of the FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific requirements.
• Coordinate with finance, program management, security, engineering, procurement, and legal resources to ensure contractual obligations are understood and met.
• Review subcontractor terms and identify risks or inconsistencies with prime contract requirements.
• Establish effective relationships with Contracting Officers, Contract Specialists, prime contractors, subcontractors, and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain organized records and reporting that provide management with visibility into contractual status and risks.

Compliance Management

• Monitor changes to applicable federal contracting requirements and assist with implementing new or revised obligations.
• Maintain and administer the company's Code of Conduct and compliance policies.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and responsible government contracting.
• Support compliance with applicable U.S. export-control and trade regulations, including ITAR and EAR, where applicable.
• Maintain import and export-control policies and procedures and coordinate with technical and business teams on controlled information and technology.
• Help ensure appropriate handling, access, retention, and protection of sensitive company and government information.
• Support compliance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements.
• Support implementation and monitoring of required representations, certifications, disclosures, and flow-down requirements.
• Maintain the company's compliance management program.
• Monitor applicable federal laws, regulations, executive requirements, and customer/contractual obligations affecting the business.
• Maintain a compliance calendar, obligation matrix, policies, procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Support compliance with customer-specific requirements involving cybersecurity, supply chain, intellectual property, data rights, purchasing, import and export controls, and other applicable areas.
• Support internal and external audits, reviews, and government inquiries as needed

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• International Compliance Association - Professional Post Graduate Diploma in compliance or similar
• International Association of Contract / Commercial Managers - Advanced Practitioner or similar
• Security Clearance eligibility
• 10 years experience in Compliance and Contracts within the US Defense Industry
• Experience in working with overseas defense industry suppliers and customers
  

Preferred Skills:

• Significant experience in US Commercial/Compliance activities, working with:
• DCMA/DCAA
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• State Department import/export organizations
• SAM.gov
• PIEE/WAWF
• Cybersecurity compliance and CUI
• Thorough understanding of and practitioner in:
• Federal Acquisition Regulations
• Defence Federal Acquisition Regulations
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations
• Export Administration Regulations
• Strong working knowledge of the Uniform Commercial Code
• Current experience in contracting with the Government, DoD, Primes, Sub-Primes and in Supply Chains.
• Excellent knowledge of reporting procedures and record keeping
• Experience in contract negotiating.
• Ability to manage, change, draft and revise contracts, including variation control.
• Contract monitoring of risks and delays.
• Compliance management of Projects and Programs.
• Good client liaison, able to build proactive relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Business acumen partnered with a dedication to legality
• Methodical and diligent with outstanding planning abilities.
• An analytical mind able to "see" the complexities of procedures and regulations.
  

Essential Personal Attributes:

• A proactive leader who is comfortable assuming responsibility and making decisions with minimal oversight.
• Able to work within a small management team and proactively challenge management assumptions.
• Flexibility to assume additional temporary responsibilities, as required, to support a rapidly growing company.
• The commitment, drive and initiative to seek continual business improvements.
• Possess strong reasoning, verbal and written skills.
• Able to make decisions through use of personal initiative and understanding of company strategy.
• Able to work without day to day oversight.