Director, Pre-Award Contracts

American Institutes for Research

3d•$160,000 - $200,000•Remote

About The Position

Join AIR as the Director, Pre-Award Contracts and leverage your leadership and expertise to advance our mission. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the business development ecosystem supporting the contracting process from capture to execution of new awards from funders which will ensure compliant, efficient, and mission-aligned execution of all activities. The position reports to the Vice President, Contracts, Grants and Procurement. The Director oversees the pre-award phase of the contracting process including identifying opportunities, execution of teaming agreements and Non Disclosure Agreements, developing business volumes for proposals and communicating with clients/funders on solicitation and award terms. This position will lead a team of specialists in supporting AIR’s Growth strategy while strengthening systems, mitigating risk, and driving continuous improvement. This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations with occasional travel for meetings, training sessions, and conferences. This does not include U.S. territories. About AIR: Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (Master’s or JD preferred).
12+ years of progressive experience across contracts, grants management, procurement, or related functions, including 5+ years in people management.
Deep knowledge of federal and state contracting and grants regulations (e.g., FAR, Uniform Guidance).
Experience supporting a wide range of funders from both public, private and commercial sectors.
Experience negotiating a wide range of contract types including teaming agreements, NDAs, Federal Acquisition Contracts (CPFF, T&M, FFP), Federal Assistance Agreements (Cooperative Agreements), State funded contracts, Foundation grants and international/multilateral donor agreements.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across all levels.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to thrive in a busy, high-volume, and deadline driven work team environment that requires coordination of multiple activities and the judgment and flexibility to reprioritize to accommodate emergency requests.
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a focus on continuous improvement.
Promote intelligent risk-taking by encouraging data-driven experimentation, challenging the status quo, and making bold decisions that strengthen operational effectiveness and business impact.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex requirements into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
Demonstrated success leading complex operations in highly regulated environments.
Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and decision-making capabilities.
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, collaborative teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, contract and procurement platforms).
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis.
Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position.
Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or JD preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide strategies for pre-award contracts, aligned with organizational priorities and funding requirements.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on compliance, risk management, and optimization opportunities across all areas.
Oversee pre-award contracting processes, including solicitation, evaluation, and negotiation of new awards across federal, state, foundation, commercial, and other funding sources.
Ensure effective planning and execution across a diverse portfolio of projects, funders, and vendors.
Ensure adherence to federal, state, and sponsor regulations, including Uniform Guidance and FAR, as well as internal policies.
Establish and maintain risk management practices to safeguard organizational and legal interests and ensure audit readiness.
Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across contracting functions.
Oversee systems, tools, and workflows to support effective tracking, reporting, and performance management.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team by establishing clear goals, accountability, and professional development pathways.
Support career development through coaching, training, and succession planning.
Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
Align team structure and capabilities with organizational priorities and evolving business needs.
Partner with Post-Award Contract Administration, Procurement, Finance, Legal, HR, and program teams to ensure alignment and effective support for project execution.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, external partners, and other stakeholders within the business development ecosystem.
Provide leadership with insights on key metrics, including proposal compliance, client engagement, work process efficiency, cost savings, and risk trends.
Support audits and reporting requirements through accurate and timely documentation.