Senior Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager provides advice and support to proposal teams operations leadership and senior management. They are responsible for all aspects of contracting from pre-award support contract negotiation and award resolution of post-award issues and support of close-out.

Specific responsibilities for this position include:
Developing a clear understanding of customer and program requirements and providing advice and support to proposal teams to ensure compliance with request-for-proposal or customer guidelines applicable regulations and University policies.
Thoroughly review solicitations and perform pricing related analysis lead and develop the proposal cost/price strategy author the cost and business volume and ensure the cost proposal is of the highest quality prior to submission.
Review terms and conditions to address provisions and risks of financial terms acceptance criteria delivery requirements warranties intellectual property termination provisions indemnification and all other potential risk areas and recommend risk mitigation strategies
Recommend changes additions and deletions to the contract structure to ensure accurate reflection of customer requirements and alignment with University policies
Negotiate fixed fee and provide fee justification to the customer ensuring that the profit/fee is consistent with and appropriate for the contract type identified program risks market standards and Research Institute requirements
Ensure the contract and statement of work are consistent with pricing assumptions to effectively manage financial risk related to contract terms and conditions and ensure the underlying cost estimate is consistent with and appropriately addresses performance risk
Establish equitable payment terms facilitate timely payments through coordinated oversight with Research Accounting of the invoicing process and ensure customer compliance with payment terms and University cash-flow requirements
Efficiently and collaboratively negotiate contractual modifications and resolve customer issues

P3 minimum qualifications:
Bachelors degree plus a minimum of six years of experience including experience with federal government contracting of research efforts; OR a Masters plus a minimum of five years of experience including experience with federal government contracting of research efforts
Two years of experience working for a Defense Contractor in support of Department of Defense programs
Sound knowledge of the federal acquisition process government contracting principles the bid and proposal process (including budget development) and governing regulations including Federal Acquisition Regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to federal contracting
Sound understanding of commercial contracts business agreements business law and general business practices including demonstrated experience in reviewing terms and conditions identifying risk areas and proposing and negotiating favorable terms
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of contracting principles and all contract types including Firm Fixed Price Time and Material Cost Plus Fixed Fee Cost Reimbursable
Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills
Experience in contract administration
Knowledge of ITAR and US import and export regulations
Excellent interpersonal analytical organizational and communication skills including both written and verbal communications
Successful experience working and collaborating with various and diverse constituents
Experience managing multiple work assignments and meet critical deadlines
Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

A P4 must meet all P3 minimum qualifications in addition to the qualifications listed below:
Bachelors degree plus a minimum of ten years of experience; OR a Masters plus a minimum of nine years of experience is required
Two years of experience working for a Defense Contractor in support of Department of Defense programs
Extensive knowledge of the federal acquisition process government contracting principles the bid and proposal process (including budget development) and governing regulations including Federal Acquisition Regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to federal contracting

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

A Juris Doctor or MBA degree
Three years of experience working with the General Services Administration (GSA)
Five years of experience working for a defense contractor in support of Department of Defense programs
Experience pricing complex R&D proposals
Experience working with classified programs
Experience with 2 CFR 200 OMB Uniform Guidance
Experience with Deltek Costpoint ERP
Active Security Clearance

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms achieve fair outcomes and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.