DOD Director of Contracts

Temple University

8h•$105,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Temple University's Office of Vice President for Research is seeking a Director of Contracts to provide strategic leadership and institutional oversight for the University's Department of Defense-sponsored contracts, other defense-related agreements, and financial assistance awards. The role directs administration of complex DoD contracts and grants throughout the award lifecycle, ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), agency-specific requirements, Uniform Guidance Regulations, and University policies. The Director serves as the University's subject matter expert on DoD contract administration and leads a specialized contract management team. The position oversees high-risk contractual matters and works with Research Administration leadership, faculty, legal counsel, finance, research security, export controls, information technology, and federal sponsors to support successful execution of the University's defense research portfolio. The position works under broad administrative direction with substantial autonomy and independent decision-making authority. It exercises extensive professional judgment in interpreting federal contracting requirements, negotiating terms, resolving high-risk compliance issues, directing contract administration staff, and advising University leadership. The role is accountable for the integrity, compliance, and effective management of the institutional DoD contract portfolio.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Law, Research Administration, or a related field.
Eight years of progressively responsible experience administering federal contracts, including significant experience with DoD-sponsored research contracts.
At least three years of supervisory or management experience leading professional staff in research administration, contract administration, or sponsored programs.
Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex federal contracts governed by FAR and DFARS.
Experience working with DoD sponsors such as DARPA, ONR, AFOSR, ARO, DTRA, MDA, Space Force, Defense Health Agency, or other federal defense organizations.
Demonstrated deep subject-matter expertise in FAR and DFARS regulations.
Proven supervisory, mentorship, and organizational leadership experience.
Exceptional negotiation and communication skills for engaging senior federal sponsors and university executives.
Strong knowledge of DoD agencies and funding mechanisms.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Research Administration, or a related discipline.
Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or comparable professional certification.
Extensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Federal Contract Information (FCI), export controls, research security requirements, and other federal contracting regulations.
Experience with enterprise research administration systems, electronic proposal systems, contract management software, and ERP financial systems.
Demonstrated success leading organizational change, developing policies and procedures, and implementing operational improvements.
Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and institutional oversight for Temple University's DoD-sponsored contract and grant portfolio throughout the proposal, award, performance, modification, and closeout lifecycle.
Direct administration of DoD contracts, agreements, and financial assistance awards to ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, agency requirements, Uniform Guidance, and University policies and procedures.
Serve as the University's subject matter expert and institutional authority on DoD contract administration, advising Research & Innovation leadership, Principal Investigators, and administrative units on complex contractual, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate DoD contract management professionals; establish performance expectations, support professional development, and foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Lead institutional review, negotiation, acceptance, and administration of complex DoD contracts, modifications, task orders, cooperative agreements, and other defense-related funding instruments.
Serve as the senior escalation point for complex contractual issues involving FAR, DFARS, intellectual property, publication restrictions, security clearances, FCI, CAS, and other specialized defense requirements.
Lead negotiations with federal contracting officers and sponsor representatives regarding contract terms, modifications, compliance, performance issues, and contractual obligations while protecting the University's interests.
Collaborate with University Legal Counsel, Export Control, Research Security, Information Technology, Finance, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, Sponsored Programs Administration, and other institutional offices.
Oversee institutional processes supporting cybersecurity requirements, including NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, safeguarding requirements, and other federal security mandates.
Ensure contract administration supports compliance with research security requirements, foreign collaboration restrictions, conflict-of-interest regulations, controlled technology requirements, and federal sponsor expectations.
Develop, implement, and improve institutional policies, standard operating procedures, guidance, internal controls, and best practices for DoD contract administration.
Direct institutional responses to audits, monitoring activities, investigations, corrective action plans, and federal reviews involving DoD-sponsored projects.
Maintain audit readiness through oversight of contract documentation, administrative records, compliance monitoring, internal controls, and risk mitigation.
Monitor changes to federal acquisition regulations, defense policies, executive orders, agency guidance, and emerging compliance requirements; assess impacts and implement operational changes.
Develop and deliver training and outreach on DoD contracting requirements and compliance expectations to investigators, departmental administrators, and research administration staff.
Maintain productive relationships with DoD agencies, contracting officers, sponsors, federal officials, and external stakeholders.
Analyze operational metrics, workload trends, compliance indicators, and performance measures to identify risks, improve efficiency, and support strategic planning.
Advise senior Research leadership on strategic issues affecting defense-sponsored research, institutional risk, regulatory changes, and emerging federal initiatives.
Participate in institutional committees, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional projects related to sponsored research administration, research security, compliance, and defense-sponsored programs.
Protect sensitive research, contractual, financial, security, export-controlled, and personnel information in accordance with applicable regulations and institutional policies.