Contracts Operations Manager

Axle•Rockville, MD

11h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Contracts Operations Manager to lead and oversee a team responsible for contract administration across government and commercial engagements. Success will be indicated by the team's work consistently getting done on time, in compliance, and coordinated with every function that touches a contract. The ideal candidate ensures accountability within the team while working closely with Business Development, Program Management, Finance, and Legal so nothing falls through the cracks between functions. The Contracts Operations Manager will manage a team executing day-to-day contract administration — from post-award through closeout while building the operational structure, tools, and processes that let that work scale as Axle expands. This role oversees the team's output and priorities, escalates and resolves issues that cross functional lines, and is accountable for the team consistently delivering even as priorities shift. This role requires an in-person presence in our Rockville, MD office.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Contract Management, or related field
5+ years of contracts administration or contracts operations experience, including Government contracting
At least 2-3 years directly managing or supervising a team
Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and related supplements
Demonstrated ability to coordinate across functions (Business Development, Program Management, Finance, Legal) to drive contract execution
Proven track record of implementing automation or new systems to improve team operations
Comfortable overseeing team output while remaining hands-on on complex or escalated items

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting or transitioning into commercial contracting alongside Government work
Exposure to GSA Schedules, IDIQs, or other Government contract vehicles
Experience with contract management systems (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, GovWin)

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day execution of contract administration work to ensure deliverables, deadlines, and compliance requirements are consistently met
Set team KPIs, conduct performance reviews and coaching, and support hiring, training, and succession planning
Serve as the escalation point for complex contract issues, stepping in hands-on when needed while keeping the team accountable for their own work
Coordinate with various Business Units to ensure contract requirements are understood, tracked, and executed across teams
Act as the operational link between Contracts leadership and other functions, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks between proposal, award, and execution
Track contract status, deliverables, and risk across the portfolio, surfacing issues to leadership and cross-functional partners before they become problems
Ensure the team's work complies with FAR, DFARS, and applicable commercial contract terms
Oversee subcontracting plan compliance, SAM reporting, and other recurring compliance obligations
Maintain and enforce standard operating procedures for contract administration across the team
Identify manual, repetitive, or inconsistent contracts processes and implement automation and digitalization to improve accuracy and scale
Build and refine operational infrastructure to support Axle's expansion into commercial contracting
Evaluate and implement contract management systems and tools, training the team on adoption