Senior Contracts Specialist

Position Overview

The Contracts Specialist is responsible for cradle-to-grave contract lifecycle management for a portfolio of federal government contracts and agreements. This role supports compliance with FAR, DFARS, agency-specific regulations, and company policies while contributing to business growth through effective contract administration, negotiation, risk management, and customer engagement.

The ideal candidate is an experienced government contracts professional who can independently manage contracts throughout the contract lifecycle, support proposal efforts, advise program teams on contractual matters, and identify and mitigate contractual risks. This position requires sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively across functional organizations.

Location: Fairfax, VA or Beavercreek

Responsibilities

Contract Formation & Negotiation

• Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a variety of government contracts and agreements, including prime contracts, subcontracts, task orders, OTAs, CRADAs, NDAs, teaming agreements, and other business arrangements.
• Partner with Finance, Procurement, and Program Management teams to negotiate contract terms and conditions that support business objectives while managing risk.
• Support business development and proposal activities by reviewing solicitations, identifying contractual requirements, assessing risk, and supporting proposal compliance efforts.
• Participate in contract negotiations with customers, subcontractors, and business partners.

Contract Administration & Management

• Independently manage a portfolio of contracts through the full contract lifecycle, including award, modifications, funding management, performance monitoring, and closeout.
• Serve as a contractual point of contact for government contracting officers, contracting officer representatives, subcontractors, and business partners.
• Monitor contract funding, periods of performance, deliverables, reporting requirements, and other contractual obligations.
• Maintain complete and accurate contract files and records in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support timely contract closeout activities and records retention requirements.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and other applicable regulations.
• Identify contractual, compliance, and business risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Advise program teams and management regarding contractual rights, obligations, and compliance requirements.
• Support internal reviews, customer audits, DCAA audits, DCMA reviews, and other compliance assessments.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Contribute to the development and improvement of contract management processes, procedures, templates, and tools.
• Support training initiatives by sharing contractual knowledge and best practices with internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve contractual issues and support successful program execution.
• Promote consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency within the contracts function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contracts Management, Finance, Law, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 8–11 years of progressive experience in federal government contract management, preferably supporting R&D, technology, aerospace, defense, or government services organizations.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal acquisition regulations.
• Experience supporting proposal development, including solicitation review, compliance analysis, and contractual risk assessment.
• Experience administering Cost-Reimbursement, Firm-Fixed-Price, Time-and-Materials, Labor-Hour, IDIQ, and GSA Schedule contracts.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using contract management and ERP systems, preferably Deltek Costpoint.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Understanding of subcontract management, flow-down requirements, intellectual property considerations, and contract risk management.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCMA certification (CPCM, CFCM, CCCM) or progress toward certification.
• Experience supporting Commercial Products and Commercial Services under FAR Part 12.
• Active TS or TS/SCI security clearance.
• Experience supporting government-furnished property (GFP), inventory management, and property compliance programs.
• Familiarity with DCMA, DCAA, and other federal compliance reviews.

Global Comp

$110,000- $145,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran's status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.