Director of Contracting

Texas A&M•College Station, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Contracting serves as INSPIRE Alliance’s senior contracting professional, leading the development and administration of contracting infrastructure for applied national security research, engineering, and technology transition. Under the general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Director manages the lifecycle of federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, subcontracts, and industry teaming arrangements. The role establishes practices that support timely execution, sound risk management, and compliance with award terms and acquisition requirements. In collaboration with executive leadership, finance, business development, program managers, principal investigators, and institutional partners, the Director turns opportunities into executable agreements, clarifies contractual obligations, and supports accountable performance from proposal through closeout. The Director leads contract review, drafting, negotiation, administration, modification, and closeout; serves as a contracting interface with government, industry, and institutional counterparts; and assesses agreement terms, funding, deliverables, reporting, payment, intellectual property and data rights, publication provisions, and termination exposure. The role manages contract actions and records, advises on obligations, and escalates material risks. It assesses federal acquisition requirements, coordinates clause and compliance reviews, addresses security and export-related requirements with relevant teams, and supports audits and sponsor inquiries. The Director also supports proposal and business development activities, including opportunity and acquisition-pathway evaluation, solicitation review, approvals, pricing assumptions, and pre-award agreements. The position establishes subcontract and partner-agreement processes; develops policies, templates, approval workflows, records standards, and a central agreement repository; coordinates responsibilities with Texas A&M University System and TEES personnel; and builds scalable contracting capabilities. The Director may support a transition of contracting functions and personnel to direct INSPIRE Alliance operations, subject to approved plans and delegations, and will train staff and supervise contracting personnel as positions are established. The role is based on-site in College Station, Texas, and requires travel as organizational needs require. Security-clearance eligibility is required for assignments requiring access, and an active clearance is strongly preferred. The position requires the ability to meet applicable security and access requirements and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. Texas A&M Engineering offers a benefits package that includes medical and prescription coverage, optional vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement programs, paid time off, training and professional development, tuition assistance, educational release time, and wellness programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience consistent with applicable employment requirements.
Ten years of progressively responsible contracting experience, including substantial experience negotiating and administering federal contracts and complex agreements.
Strong knowledge of federal contracting practices, applicable acquisition requirements, contract types, subcontract administration, and proposal compliance.
Ability to negotiate complex agreements, explain obligations clearly, exercise sound judgment, and escalate issues requiring executive or legal decisions.
Ability to establish efficient workflows, maintain accurate records, manage competing deadlines, and collaborate across government, academia, and industry.
Professional discretion and commitment to ethical contracting, confidentiality, and appropriate separation of approval responsibilities.
Eligibility for security clearance for assignments requiring access.
Ability to work on-site in College Station, Texas, and travel as required by organizational needs.
Ability to satisfy security and access requirements applicable to assigned work and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Willingness to support the development of INSPIRE Alliance’s independent contracting capabilities and the potential transition to direct corporate employment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience interpreting solicitations and award terms, assessing contractual risk, and coordinating with technical, finance, legal, and compliance teams.
Experience supporting defense, national security, sponsored research, or nonprofit contracting environments.
Experience developing contracting procedures, leading teams, or establishing contracting systems.
An advanced degree or relevant professional contracting certification.
Active security clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead review, drafting, negotiation, administration, modification, and closeout of prime contracts, subcontracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and teaming arrangements; coordinate execution by authorized officials.
Serve as the principal contracting interface with government contracting personnel, industry partners, and institutional counterparts, consistent with assigned authority.
Evaluate agreement terms, funding limitations, deliverables, milestones, reporting, payment provisions, intellectual property and data rights, publication provisions, and termination exposure.
Manage contract actions such as modifications, options, task orders, funding changes, extensions, and closeout, maintaining records of approvals and commitments.
Guide stakeholders on contractual obligations and promptly elevate material performance, funding, compliance, or business risks to executive leadership.
Assess applicability of federal acquisition requirements, including FAR, DFARS, Cost Accounting Standards, and sponsor requirements; coordinate specialized interpretation with legal and compliance personnel.
Develop solicitation and award compliance reviews, clause matrices, representations and certifications, and subcontract flow-down requirements.
Coordinate with research security, export control, information technology, legal, and compliance personnel on contractual security, controlled information, cybersecurity, export, and foreign involvement requirements.
Support contract reviews, audits, sponsor inquiries, and corrective actions with organized documentation and timely responses.
Partner with business development and technical teams to assess opportunity eligibility, acquisition pathways, contractual requirements, teaming structures, and execution readiness.
Review solicitation instructions and contractual submission requirements, and coordinate necessary approvals, exceptions, and clarifications before proposal submission.
Work with the Chief Financial Officer and Controller on pricing assumptions, contract type, billing terms, funding exposure, indirect cost treatment, and financial feasibility.
Negotiate confidentiality agreements, teaming agreements, and related pre-award instruments with legal counsel and authorized signatories.
Establish subcontract and partner agreement processes documenting scope, deliverables, funding, applicable clauses, reporting, and performance expectations.
Coordinate partner due diligence, reviews, negotiation, modifications, monitoring, and closeout with technical, finance, procurement, and compliance personnel.
Develop contracting policies, procedures, templates, approval workflows, records standards, and a central agreement repository.
Coordinate with designated Texas A&M University System and TEES personnel to define responsibilities, routing, approvals, and handoffs under service arrangements.
Build scalable contracting capabilities and support the potential transition of contracting functions and personnel to direct INSPIRE Alliance operations, subject to approved plans and delegations.
Implement tracking for pending actions, deadlines, deliverables, funding, and contractual risks; train staff and supervise contracting personnel as positions are established.
Perform other related contracting duties assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.

Benefits

Medical insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and prescription coverage through Express Scripts.
Optional vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance.
Defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with an 8.25% employer contribution.
Additional voluntary retirement programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Free training access through LinkedIn Learning and professional development opportunities.
Tuition assistance and educational release time.
Engineer Your Wellness health and fitness programs.
Wellness release time to promote work/life balance.