Contract Subject Matter Expert

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory•Reston, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. The Contract Principal solves the hardest Contracting challenges for Draper, provides both internal and external customers with solution-oriented leadership and guidance and is focused on achieving the strategic objectives of the organization while balancing risk and regulatory compliance. This functional Subject Matter Expert negotiates, manages, and mentors others on highly complex and strategically important cradle-to-grave government contracts / prime subcontracts, ensuring consistency with customer requirements, compliance obligations and Draper policies and procedures. This role also interfaces with potential and current customers, supports capture and proposal opportunities, analyzes terms and conditions, negotiates agreements, monitors performance/compliance, manages changes, and readies contracts for closeout. Collaborates with cross-functional Program teams and senior leadership to meet annual objectives and support customer deliverables. The Contract Principal is routinely delegated authority and empowered to act independently as a functional representative or leader and our champion for special projects. This position would support our Electronic Systems contract actions. Candidate would work with the ES team across multiple Government functions and Industry Partner contracts to support the ES business in both Research and Development, prototyping, and moving into production contracts. Candidate would need to be familiar with multiple contract types to include but not limited to, CPFF, FFP, T&M, OTA, and BOA contracts.

Requirements

A leader within the Contracts function with expert level knowledge of FAR/DFARS, regulatory compliance, government acquisition framework, industry best practices for Contracts processes, and a lifelong student of understanding industry trends and anticipating regulatory changes/impacts
Highly effective in improving standard work processes and understanding the complexity of the contracts role in a cross-functional program team environment
Expert level business acumen, gained from working in a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities for a vast range of Contracts and customers within the Government Contracting industry, while being accountable for achieving annual operating plans and other corporate objectives
Demonstrated ability to successfully manage competing priorities, deadlines, and resolve contractual conflicts in a fast-paced environment
Experience bidding, negotiating and managing a variety of contract types for Research and Development and Production Contracts consistent with sound business and financial principles
Strong ability to effectively negotiate customer disputes and perform in a leadership capacity
Experience implementing compliance plans based on Prime Contract terms and conditions including agency unique terms and conditions
Significant expertise negotiating within an established negotiation strategy / parameters for approval and with Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act requirements and certifications
Demonstrated experience with license agreements and Intellectual Property terms for furthering the goals of a Business Area IP Strategy
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn and continuously improve our use of systems, tools, policies and procedures
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of study required
15+ years related experience in Contracts as a prime contractor and a subcontractor on a variety of contract types, contract vehicles and with different customers for programs across the acquisition lifecycle of all sizes, complexities and priorities

Nice To Haves

advanced degree preferred and can be considered in lieu of 2 years of experience.
Professional Certifications (e.g. CFCM, CPCM, etc.) preferred
additional years of relevant cross-functional experience within the national security or aerospace and defense industry preferred

Responsibilities

Comprehensive cradle-to-grave proactive, compliant contract management for complex contracts across the acquisition phases for DoD, National Security and/or other prime contractors within an assigned Business Area or in a unique role customized for the skillset of this highly capable functional SME
Manage strategic aspects of internal and/or external customer relationships as an advocate for our function and corporation
Independently develop compliant solutions to problems of unusual complexity that require a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, and innovation to collaboratively work across stakeholder and cross-functional program teams
Be the focal point for contract performance while working within a matrixed program team environment, including: Capture and Proposal related support, review of terms and conditions and other contract requirements, analysis of subcontractor flow-downs, conduct robust proactive change management, monitor contract performance, resolve disputes in a timely and thorough manner, and ready for closeout prior to physical completion.
Bring junior level and mid-career Contracts professionals into real-life scenarios to learn shoulder-to-shoulder to teach best practices and adherence to processes and contract requirements.
Ability to develop sound business cases and analyze large volumes of data, while supporting complex long-term projects with strategic importance
Comprehensive understanding of Draper Business Systems
Best-in-industry written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills with comfort around higher level leaders and junior level Contract Representatives
Mentor junior to mid-career Contracts professionals, as well as supervisors/managers to assist with knowledge transfer and improving functional bench strength
Ability to perform any role within the organization, routinely delegated authority to act in a leadership capacity while providing bench-strength as needed across the Business Areas for additional functional support