Senior Subcontracts Manager

Senior Subcontracts Manager

The Role

An opportunity for an experienced subcontracts professional to take on a senior commercial role supporting complex defence, aerospace and government programmes in Northern Virginia.

The position combines subcontract management, commercial negotiations, supplier engagement and contractual risk management. The successful individual will work closely with programme and functional leaders to ensure subcontracting decisions support operational requirements, commercial objectives and contractual compliance.

The scope will vary according to seniority, from managing complex subcontract portfolios to providing broader functional leadership, developing team capability and improving subcontracting strategy and governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead subcontracting activities in support of programme requirements, commercial objectives, delivery schedules and risk management.
• Develop sourcing and subcontracting strategies that reflect programme priorities and supplier capabilities.
• Manage commercial negotiations, evaluate proposals and establish subcontract terms that balance cost, performance, delivery and contractual risk.
• Oversee subcontract agreements throughout their lifecycle, including award, administration, amendments, performance management and closeout.
• Ensure relevant government contracting requirements and prime-contract obligations are reflected in subcontract arrangements, including applicable FAR/DFARS provisions.
• Assess supplier proposals, commercial terms and cost information to support sourcing decisions and programme affordability.
• Work with programme, engineering, supply chain, finance and contracts stakeholders to address supplier issues and maintain delivery commitments.
• Identify contractual, financial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Maintain appropriate contractual governance and documentation, supporting internal controls, purchasing-system compliance and audit requirements.
• Contribute to proposal activity and new business pursuits through supplier engagement, commercial input and subcontracting strategy.
• At functional leadership level, provide direction across subcontracting activities, develop team capability and drive improvements in processes and commercial performance.

Experience and Qualifications

• Substantial experience in subcontract management, government procurement or commercial contracting, preferably within defence, aerospace or federal government programmes.
• Strong knowledge of subcontract lifecycle management, commercial negotiations and contractual risk.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS requirements and the application of prime-contract flowdowns.
• Experience with government contracting arrangements such as Firm-Fixed-Price, cost-reimbursement, Time-and-Materials or IDIQ contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier relationships, resolve contractual issues and support programme delivery.
• Experience evaluating subcontractor proposals, commercial terms and cost/price information.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work across technical, commercial and programme functions.
• Familiarity with procurement or ERP systems and structured subcontract administration processes.

Additional Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be beneficial:

• DoD and other U.S. federal government contracting environments.
• Purchasing-system compliance, CPSR preparation, DCAA audit support or Cost Accounting Standards.
• Complex or high-value supplier negotiations.
• Intellectual property, technical data rights and contractual risk allocation.
• Proposal development, competitive pursuits and subcontractor pricing.
• Team leadership, functional process development or oversight of multiple subcontract portfolios.

Location and Compensation

Location: Reston, Virginia

Indicative salary: $130,000–$200,000 depending on experience, scope and leadership responsibility.

Work arrangements, travel and citizenship or security-clearance requirements will depend on the specific opportunity.

Who This Role Suits

This position is suited to a commercially minded subcontracts professional who can operate confidently across complex contractual arrangements, supplier relationships and programme priorities. Individuals with broader government contracts or procurement backgrounds may also be relevant where they have substantial subcontracting experience.

For the more senior functional leadership remit, experience setting strategy, developing teams and improving subcontracting performance across a wider portfolio will be particularly valuable.

Compensation and role details are indicative and should be confirmed against the requirements of any specific position.