Contract Manager

Aston Carter • Chantilly, VA

2d • $58 - $67 • Remote

About The Position

The Contract Manager oversees complex contract administration and management activities, ensuring agreements with customers, suppliers, partners, and internal stakeholders are negotiated, executed, and maintained in compliance with company policies, government regulations, and industry standards. The role serves as a key liaison among sales, technical teams, Finance, and Legal, providing guidance on contract terms, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Depending on experience and leadership capability, the position may be scoped as a Contracts Manager or Senior Contracts Manager, with greater responsibility for high-value contracts, export compliance, and departmental leadership.

This is a primarily remote, contract-to-hire position based out of Chantilly, Virginia. The role involves frequent collaboration with internal teams and external government and commercial stakeholders, and travel to the client site in Chantilly as needed for meetings, negotiations, and program reviews. The environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, with emphasis on accuracy, regulatory compliance, and professional communication. Professional business attire is expected when visiting the client site.

The stated pay range is $57.69–$67.30 per hour. Depending on eligibility and applicable terms, benefits for this temporary role may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage; a 401(k) plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; a Health Spending Account; transportation benefits; an Employee Assistance Program; and paid time off, vacation, or sick leave.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of DFAR/FAR-based contracts administration or management experience.
• Extensive experience with U.S. Government contracts, including FAR and DFAR requirements.
• A bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of U.S. Government contract-administration experience; or a bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of that experience and 2 years managing more than 2 department employees; or an advanced degree with 2 years of U.S. Government contract-administration experience.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to present confidently to executives and contracting officers.
• Proven change-management experience within a contracts or commercial function.
• Hands-on experience with product-based contracts, pricing, proposals, and contract administration.
• Ability to manage multiple project deadlines and deliver high-quality work in accordance with organizational standards and policies.
• Strong time-management skills and ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills, including accurate documentation and record keeping.
• High attention to detail, strong critical thinking, and ability to solve complex contract-administration problems.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and perform under significant pressure.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex contractual issues to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to understand problems from different points of view and present balanced perspectives.

Nice To Haves

• Experience assisting with ITAR/EAR compliance and export-control requirements.
• Background in intellectual-property and patent administration related to contracts.
• Experience overseeing nondisclosure agreements, Master Supply Agreements, and MOUs.
• Prior responsibility for managing Contracts Administrators and/or Government Property employees.
• Experience preparing annual and quarterly export-compliance and company-registration reports for Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions.
• CFCM certification, which may substitute for one year of experience.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field; years required to complete more than one advanced degree may substitute for equivalent years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to empower others, establish decision rights, and foster a collaborative, high-trust environment.
• Track record of cross-business collaboration and engaging partners to improve contractual outcomes.
• Commitment to ownership, performance, and innovation, with a focus on meeting and exceeding organizational commitments.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate contract terms and conditions with customers, vendors, suppliers, and partners in alignment with company policies and risk tolerance.
• Ensure compliance with internal bid-management and approval procedures, coordinating among sales, technical teams, Finance, and Legal.
• Develop, implement, and maintain organization-wide contract-administration policies, procedures, and practices.
• Identify contractual risks and develop practical solutions that protect the company’s interests.
• Guide Contracts Administrators through complex negotiations during bidding, award, and project execution.
• Oversee major RFPs and RFQs in accordance with company procedures and governance requirements.
• Manage contract documentation from pre-award negotiations through close-out, including order entry and records.
• Review contracts for accuracy and completeness, including price, schedule, and other terms and conditions.
• Support compliance with ITAR, EAR, and related export-control requirements.
• Oversee drafting, review, and administration of standard and advanced supplier and customer nondisclosure agreements.
• Lead intellectual-property and patent administration related to contracts.
• Interpret contractual terms and conditions, including fiscal and legal implications, and advise senior department management on significant procedures and regulations.
• Develop solutions to difficult contractual issues during negotiations and execution, and present balanced perspectives to stakeholders.
• Oversee requirements for contractual deliverables and ensure their timely, accurate submission.
• Monitor contract performance against delivery schedules and other terms, and drive corrective actions when needed.
• Represent Contracts at higher-level program and company meetings and drive contractual action items to completion.
• Oversee monthly and quarterly contract reports for internal stakeholders.
• Review contract modifications for accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation.
• Oversee invoice reviews for compliance with contractual terms and conditions.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage contractual instruments such as Master Supply Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, including complex agreements.
• Manage and provide leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to Contracts Administrators and/or Government Property employees.
• Advise senior department management on department activities, priorities, risks, and opportunities.
• Help implement corporate instructions and directives affecting the department and ensure consistent application.
• Apply for and track export permits for shipments of products and data, ensuring timely approvals and compliance.
• Prepare annual and quarterly export-compliance and company-registration reports for Canadian and U.S. authorities.
• Empower team members, establish clear decision rights, support agreed decisions, and encourage collaboration across business units and with external partners.
• Promote ownership, accountability, innovation, transparent information sharing, and continuous improvement through external best practices.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Critical illness coverage
• Accident coverage
• Hospital coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions
• Life insurance, including voluntary life and AD&D coverage for employees and dependents
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time off, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Manager