Director, Contracts

AeroVironment • Simi Valley, CA

1d

About The Position

The Director, Contracts is responsible for managing and leading the contract management and oversight process of major Federal, State and commercial contracts with various agencies. This position has broad responsibility over contractual matters, while also supporting new business opportunities and growth strategies. Additional responsibilities include direct negotiations for large, complex, domestic and international contracts, as well as participating in strategic initiatives related to the procurement process in evaluating market conditions, pricing strategies, and partnering approaches. The Director, Contracts must be a demonstrated leader and is expected to collaborate with the Business Area and functional leaders to facilitate Key Performance Indicators.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Business Administration, Finance, or related field) is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 12 years of directly relevant experience
• Expertise in current Federal and International regulations, and relevant legal concepts
• Significant experience in directly related International and DoD/Federal prime government contract administration/management.
• Entrepreneurial focus and ability to thrive and excel in a dynamic and technically focused environment.
• Demonstrated business acumen with experience in developing innovative solutions and a successful record of problem solving.
• An ability to translate between business and technical risk and communicate clearly to leadership.
• Significant senior level experience in directly related DoD/Federal prime government contract administration/management
• Proven Contract Drafting and Negotiation skills.
• FAR/DFAR knowledge; OTA knowledge, working knowledge of US Government acquisition laws and regulations
• Broad experience with a variety of contract types: firm fixed price, cost-type, commercial/non-commercial, production, development, and sustainment
• Broad experience in license, non-disclosure and teaming agreements
• Proven applied knowledge with the requirements of Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (ie FAR Part 15)
• Capability to contribute to strategic planning at all levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation).
• Demonstrated capability working successfully in a collaborative environment that inspires confidence in assigned staff, co-workers and customers.
• Experience in training and mentoring, and building highly effective teams
• Qualified to have access to data and technology that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This position requires access to data and technology that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Active U.S. Security Clearance (Top Secret) (SCI Preferred).

Nice To Haves

• Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) certified
• International and commercial contract experience desired; including Foreign Military and/or Direct Commercial Sales.
• Experience with accounting systems such as Unanet, Oracle Fusion
• Interacts effectively with company management, business area leads, functional counterparts and team members in a professional manner
• Entrepreneurial focus and ability to thrive and excel in a dynamic and technically focused environment
• Demonstrates business acumen with experience in developing innovative solutions and a successful record of problem solving
• Critical Thinker and Command Decision Maker
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships

Responsibilities

• The Contracts Director will lead our MacCready Works Group, focused on closing high level negotiations for large IDIQ’s/Contracts, working closely with Government customers. This person will lead a team focused on bringing R&D efforts to commercialization and eventually production efforts.
• Provide strategic direction, leadership guidance, and functional expertise to a team of contracts professionals while escalating up high level issues and keeping Contracts leadership informed.
• Act as a lead for conflict resolution of contract issues, while mentoring and training both assigned contracts personnel and other team members for similar results
• May be responsible for multiple Business units, Groups and serves at the partner to the Business leader.
• Perform contract management and administrative duties throughout the contract lifecycle including, but not limited to, proposal review and preparation, leading pre and post award negotiations, executing contract modifications, initiating contract close-outs and providing overall contracts support to programs with complex, multi-year contracts
• Responsible for ensuring that agreements/terms and conditions comply with all applicable regulations and requirements, while also adhering to company policies.
• Review uploaded contracts related data in business systems to ensure data is accurate and complete.
• Advise and provide guidance to leadership on contractual rights, obligations and provide contract interpretation of terms and conditions, while providing risk mitigation strategies
• Proactively engage with program teams and customers to ensure that programs are executing contract requirements, managing scope, and mitigating risks throughout contract execution
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders across the organization, including regular senior management level briefings on key issues.
• Responsible for drafting, evaluating, negotiating various agreements such as, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Sales/Purchase Agreements, Subcontracts, Consulting Agreements, License Agreements, Master Agreements, and other Contractual agreements, such as FAR based contracts, OTAs, etc.
• Responsible for reviewing various agreements previously reviewed by assigned staff and providing guidance on outstanding issues/concerns.
• Participate in the business development process by providing expertise in contract knowledge, bid evaluation, proposal, and contract negotiation processes.
• Structure and negotiate commercial arrangements, such as sales contracts, supply arrangements, operation agreements
• Collaborates with Senior Management Team to coordinate DCAA, DCMA and other audits.
• Ensures the company's vision, mission and core values are embraced by everyone within area of responsibility by emphasizing the importance of our core values and how they interrelate the company vision and are integrated into program and project execution.
• Act as the focal point for communication with legal, finance and business team disciplines for resolution of contract issues and disputes.
• Personnel management of assigned contracting staff.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees