Contracts Manager - Clearance Required

Aston Carter•Littleton, CO

17h•$110,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Contracts Manager oversees the full lifecycle of U.S. Government contracts, subcontracts, and related agreements supporting classified space and national security programs. The role leads and develops Contract Administrators and manages contract administration from inception through completion. The Contracts Manager prepares, reviews, negotiates, and approves contractual documents to protect the organization’s contractual posture, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mitigate business risk, and support successful program execution. The position combines hands-on contract management with leadership responsibilities and serves as a key liaison among internal stakeholders and government, customer, and subcontractor representatives. This is a permanent, fully onsite position based in Denver, Colorado, supporting programs and teams in Colorado while collaborating with colleagues in California and other locations. The environment is collaborative and focused on aerospace, defense, and national security technologies. The work involves classified and sensitive information in secure environments and requires adherence to applicable security protocols and compliance requirements. The work schedule is 9/80: 80 hours over nine days, with every other Friday off.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in U.S. Government contract administration, including full lifecycle management from inception through completion.
Proven experience supervising, mentoring, or developing contracts professionals in a team environment.
Extensive knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and applicable FAR supplements, including the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
Hands-on experience administering FAR-based contracts and Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs).
Experience supporting classified U.S. Government contracts; space, aerospace, defense, or national security program experience is preferred.
Ability to evaluate contractual risk and resolve complex business and contractual issues while protecting organizational interests.
Ability to influence cross-functional decisions and collaborate with Program Management, Business Development, Capture, Finance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, including clearly articulating contractual positions and recommendations to stakeholders, customers, and government representatives.
Strong leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Willingness and ability to travel as business needs require.
Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience with proposal production and contract negotiation for complex government programs.
Background in subcontractor management and coordination with teammates on large, multi-party contracts.
Experience with OTAs in the space, aerospace, defense, or national security sectors.
Management experience leading contract administration teams, including developing and implementing best practices.
Familiarity with high-reliability hardware programs, such as space systems, small satellites, flight computers, space-based optical communications, missile defense, or related NewSpace and defense technologies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail in reviewing and drafting contractual documents.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, develop, and oversee assigned Contract Administrators, including workload management, employee development, performance management, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team.
Coordinate assigned contract administration, including negotiating, preparing, reviewing, approving, and terminating contractual documents to protect the organization’s contractual posture and align with business objectives.
Participate in solicitation review, proposal preparation, contract negotiations, and customer engagement to support contract acquisition and execution.
Identify contractual and business risks, develop and recommend solutions, advise management on contractual rights and obligations, and interpret contract terms and conditions to support program objectives.
Protect the organization’s proprietary interests and ensure company policy is followed, including processes for review of reports, papers, and articles.
Review contracts, agreements, and related documentation to identify risk, ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company policies, and recommend business positions.
Serve as the primary contractual point of contact for assigned programs and represent the organization with customers, subcontractors, teammates, and U.S. Government representatives.
Partner with Program Management, Business Development, Capture, Finance, and Legal teams to support new business pursuits and execution and expansion of existing programs.
Remain current on commercial and government laws, regulations, and practices affecting contracts and related agreements, and apply this knowledge to contract administration.
Recruit, develop, coach, and retain Contracts personnel while supporting employee engagement, performance management, and professional development.
Maintain the confidentiality of classified, proprietary, and business-sensitive information.
Perform other contract-related duties as assigned to support program and organizational objectives.