DOD Director of Contracts

Temple University

6h•$105,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Temple University's Office of the 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, defense-related agreements, and financial assistance awards. The Director oversees complex DoD contracts and grants throughout the award lifecycle and ensures compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), agency-specific requirements, Uniform Guidance, and University policies. The Director serves as the University's subject matter expert and institutional authority on DoD contract administration, leads a specialized contract management team, oversees high-risk contractual matters, and collaborates with Research Administration leadership, faculty, legal counsel, finance, research security, export controls, information technology, and federal sponsors. The position exercises substantial autonomy and independent decision-making under broad administrative direction, and advises University leadership on strategic and operational matters affecting the defense research portfolio. The position has a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-campus and remote work. The duration of the arrangement is at Temple University's and the Department's discretion.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Law, Research Administration, or a related field.
Six 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.
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 (where applicable), 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 the 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.
Advise Research & Innovation leadership, Principal Investigators, and administrative units on complex contractual, regulatory, and compliance matters as the University's subject matter expert.
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 matters 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 concerning contract terms, modifications, compliance, performance, and contractual obligations while protecting University interests.
Coordinate with 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 compliance, 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 rules, controlled technology requirements, and federal sponsor expectations.
Develop, implement, and improve policies, standard operating procedures, guidance, internal controls, and best practices for DoD contract administration.
Direct institutional responses to audits, monitoring, investigations, corrective action plans, and federal reviews involving DoD-sponsored projects; ensure timely resolution and corrective action.
Maintain audit readiness through oversight of contract documentation, records, compliance monitoring, internal controls, and risk mitigation across the DoD contract portfolio.
Monitor changes to acquisition regulations, defense policies, executive orders, agency guidance, and emerging compliance requirements; assess institutional impacts and implement operational changes.
Develop and deliver training and outreach for investigators, departmental administrators, and research administration staff on DoD contracting requirements and compliance.
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 defense-sponsored research strategy, institutional risk, regulatory changes, and federal initiatives affecting DoD contracting.
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 University policies.