Contracts, Lead

The MITRE Corporation • McLean, VA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

MITRE is seeking a contract professional to lead all aspects of contract negotiation, management, and administration, primarily supporting MITRE’s Center for Government Effectiveness and Modernization (CGEM) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contracts. MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership.

Requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Knowledge of U.S. Government contract laws and regulations, ensuring full compliance and risk mitigation.
• Proven track record in preparing proposals and successfully negotiating contracts with federal government agencies.
• Advanced proficiency in managing diverse contract types, including FFP, T&M, and Cost Reimbursable agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, make strategic decisions, and consistently meet critical deadlines.
• Exceptional customer service skills, with a talent for initiating and cultivating collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, effectively conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office applications within a Windows environment, supporting efficient workflow and documentation.
• Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Collaborative team player, adept at working in partnership and consultation rather than relying on formal supervision.
• At least 6 years of experience in contract negotiation and administration, preferably specializing in federal contracts.
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Federal Grants.
• Experience working with state, local, and non-profit institutions
• Over 8 years of specialized experience in negotiating and administering federal contracts, consistently delivering successful outcomes and ensuring compliance with government regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide cradle-to-grave contract administration for one or more of MITRE’s FFRDC contracts with the Department of the Treasury / Internal Revenue Service, Department of Commerce, and Veterans Affairs. These dynamic IDIQ contract vehicles deliver a broad range of services to various federal agencies.
• Support direct contract engagements with federal, state, local, non-profit, and commercial entities aligned with MITRE’s corporate strategy.
• Manage and foster strong relationships with U.S. Government Contracting Officers.
• Represent MITRE to external organizations, including both U.S. Government and non-government entities, building trusted partnerships.
• Collaborate with MITRE senior leadership, stakeholders, and colleagues to provide agile, responsive, and decisive advice on diverse and innovative contracting strategies. Develop and drive contract strategy.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in project/program planning and resolving complex contract issues, focusing on clear communication and relationship management.
• Develop compliance framework on major contracts that can be implemented by business and financial partners. Define, interpret, and implement corporate policy related to contract commitments and performance.
• Identify, track, mitigate, and resolve contract risks.
• Review task order descriptions, applying FFRDC contracting expertise and technical understanding of CGEM competencies to assess appropriateness of work.
• Provide timely input into contract systems for awards and modifications.
• Generate and negotiate supporting contractual documents, such as non-disclosure agreements, software evaluation and license agreements, and public release requests.
• Advise technical staff on proprietary information, patent disclosures, intellectual property, and other contract issues.
• Lead the review and management of Contract Performance Review Assessments (CPARs) to ensure compliance and drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with Finance to proactively manage accounts receivable and resolve sponsor inquiries related to MITRE invoices, ensuring timely and accurate financial transactions.
• Oversee the comprehensive closeout of contracts and task orders, guaranteeing adherence to all regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Champion the FFRDC’s mission and value proposition, effectively promoting its role and impact to internal stakeholders and external partners.

Benefits

• competitive benefits
• exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth
• culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior