Director, Federal Contracts

Director Federal Contracts
North Charleston SC
Favorable background investigation required; clearance not required


As Director Federal Contracts you will oversee the complete lifecycle of federal contracts from crafting proposals to finalizing agreements. You will ensure compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and other applicable statutes. You will manage negotiations contract changes and strategic guidance for federal contracting opportunities. You will lead and develop the Contracts Team create policy and establish strategic processes and procedures that scale with growth. You will serve as a key decision-maker on contracts below specified thresholds and a strategic partner to senior leadership on major contract activities.

Position Requirements and Duties

Strategic Risk and Compliance Leadership

• Lead the full lifecycle of federal contracts including proposal review contract negotiation execution compliance and closeout.
• Ensure adherence to FAR DFARS and agency-specific acquisition regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all contract matters with government clients and prime/subcontractors.
• Establish and maintain robust contract compliance programs tailored to cybersecurity and classified work.
• Proactively mitigate risk through analysis and negotiation of favorable contract language.
• Coordinate with legal counsel on complex contracting issues.
• Develop and enforce internal contracting policies and procedures aligned with regulatory standards and best practices.

Proposal and Business Development Support

• Lead contract review and risk assessment for all solicitations (RFPs RFIs RFQs) and coordinate responses with capture pricing and business development teams.
• Contribute to pricing strategy and cost proposal development in collaboration with pricing and BD leads.
• Maintain contract-specific templates negotiation guides and compliance matrices.
• Subcontract and Vendor Management
• Draft negotiate and manage subcontracts teaming agreements NDAs and consulting agreements.
• Ensure subcontractor compliance with flow-down requirements cybersecurity standards and reporting obligations.
• Establish performance monitoring processes and review mechanisms for subcontractors.
• Internal Leadership & Department Oversight
• Directly lead the Contracts Team including performance management recruitment training and mentorship.
• Define and communicate roles responsibilities and authorities within the contracts function.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support effective contract execution and alignment with program objectives.
• Develop and lead internal training on federal acquisition regulations ethics and emerging compliance obligations.

Audit Reporting & Data Integrity

• Lead or support internal and external contract-related audits (DCAA DCMA Inspector General).
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of contract data into ERP systems (e.g. Unanet Deltek).
• Monitor performance burn rates and deliverables via real-time reporting dashboards.
• Stakeholder Communication & Representation
• Represent the company in all contract negotiations including modifications disputes and award protests.
• Liaise with government contracting officers legal representatives partners and internal leadership.
• Provide regular briefings and recommendations to executive leadership on contract risks opportunities and performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• Favorable Background Check
• Bachelors Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Minimum 15 years of experience in federal contracting including 5 years in a management or leadership role

Preferred Qualifications

• CFCM or CPCM certification
• Masters degree in Business Public Administration or related field
• Extensive knowledge of NIWC Atlantic and Pacific contracting operations
• Experience with IDIQ CPFF T&M GSA Schedules and OTA vehicles
• Strong regulatory knowledge of FAR DFARS and related acquisition regulations
• Demonstrated success in managing complex negotiations and high-value contracts
• Proficiency in Deltek

Company Overview

Adapt Forward is a cybersecurity solutions provider for some of the nations most valuable information systems. Leveraging advanced threat assessment technology and experience in building high-level information security infrastructure we develop adaptive solutions uniquely tailored to our customers business objectives to protect sensitive data against sophisticated threats in an increasingly complex security environment.

Summary of Benefits

• Comprehensive Physical Wellness Package including Medical Dental Vision Care plus Flexible Spending Accounts for health- and dependent-care are included in our standard benefits plan.
• 401k Retirement Plan with Matching Contribution is immediately available and vested.
• Annual Training Budget to be used for conference attendance school enrollment certification programs and associated travel expenses.
• Eleven Federal Holidays plus three weeks of PTO/vacation/sick leave that accrues at a rate of ten hours per month.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling/legal assistance and other employee well-being programs are also offered.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Adapt Forwards Veteran/Disability Affirmative Action Plan narrative section is available for inspection upon request during normal business hours at the Human Resources office and may be requested by contacting Human Resources at