Senior Contracts Manager

Senior Contracts Manager

Location


US-VA-Fairfax

ID


2026-4260

Category


Corporate Operations

Position Type


Full Time Salary

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country's most challenging technical problems.

Position Overview

The Senior Contracts Manager supports cradle-to-grave contract lifecycle management for a diverse portfolio of government and commercial contracts. This role ensures compliance with applicable regulations, contractual requirements, and company policies while facilitating efficient contract execution, risk management, and business growth. Emphasis is placed on supporting commercial contracting activities, including Commercial Products and Services, FAR Part 12 acquisitions, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and other non-traditional acquisition vehicles.

This is a senior-level position suited for experienced contracts professionals who can independently manage complex contractual matters, negotiate favorable business terms, and provide strategic guidance to leadership. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience with federal government contracting as well as demonstrated expertise supporting commercial contracting environments, technology licensing, and non-traditional contracting mechanisms. The position requires independent judgment and the ability to identify, analyze, and resolve significant contractual, compliance, and business issues.

Location: Fairfax, VA, and Beavercreek, OH

Responsibilities

Contract Formation & Negotiation

Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a variety of government and commercial agreements, including prime contracts, subcontracts, task orders, OTAs, CRADAs, NDAs, teaming agreements, reseller agreements, and commercial services agreements.
• Coordinate contract terms and conditions with internal stakeholders, including Finance, Procurement, and Program Management teams.
• Support proposal development by reviewing solicitation, assessing contractual risk, drafting contract volumes, and ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements.
• Lead negotiations involving commercial terms and conditions, intellectual property rights, data rights, licensing provisions, and other business considerations.

Contract Administration & Management

• Manage contracts throughout the full lifecycle, including award, modification, funding management, performance monitoring, and closeout.
• Maintain and track active contract files, modifications, funding ceilings, deliverables, key milestones, and periods of performance.
• Serve as the primary contractual interface with government contracting officers, contracting officer representatives, subcontractors, consortium managers, commercial customers, and strategic partners.
• Ensure timely and compliant contract closeout and records retention.

Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and commercial contracting principles as applicable.
• Provide guidance on FAR Part 12 acquisitions, Commercial Products and Services determinations, and non-traditional contracting approaches.
• Identify contractual, compliance, financial, and business risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support internal audits, DCAA audits, DCMA reviews, and other compliance assessments.

Process Improvement

• Recommend and implement improvements to contract management processes, templates, playbooks, and documentation standards.
• Develop guidance and training materials related to government and commercial contracting best practices.
• Promote consistency, efficiency, and compliance across the contracts function.

Leadership

• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across the organization to develop practical business solutions.
• Mentor and develop junior members of the Contracts team.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to program leadership and executive management on contractual matters.
• Serve as Deputy to the Director of Contracts and Procurement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contracts Management, Finance, Law, or a related field; Master's degree preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in contract administration and management within a federal contracting environment, preferably supporting technology, research and development, defense, or professional services organizations.
• Active TS or TS/SCI security clearance.
• Demonstrated expertise in FAR, DFARS, and federal acquisition regulations.
• Significant experience supporting FAR Part 12 Commercial Products and Services acquisitions and commercial contracting environments.
• Experience supporting proposal development, including contractual compliance reviews and cost volume participation.
• Hands-on experience administering Cost-Reimbursement, Firm-Fixed-Price, Time-and-Materials, Labor-Hour, IDIQ, GSA Schedule, and commercial agreements.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with contract management and ERP systems, preferably Deltek Costpoint.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Thorough understanding of subcontracting, flow-down requirements, contract risk management, and intellectual property considerations.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCMA Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) or Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM).
• Knowledge of government property management requirements under FAR Part 45 and FAR 52.245-1.
• Experience supporting government-furnished property (GFP), inventory management, and property compliance activities.
• Familiarity with DCMA, DCAA, and other federal compliance reviews.

Global Comp

$150,000- $190,000 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.