Manager, Contracts

AeroVironment • Albuquerque, NM

25d

About The Position

The Manager, Contracts position requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of contract management processes and regulations as they pertain to complex aerospace projects. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional negotiation skills and a keen ability to analyze and interpret contracts, ensuring alignment with both company objectives and compliance with industry standards. This senior management position is responsible for leading a Contracts Management team, fostering a culture of collaboration, and driving best practices in contract administration. As a Manager, Contracts you will partner closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, procurement, and engineering, to streamline contract workflows and mitigate risks. Your expertise will be essential in evaluating contract performance, managing relationships, and ensuring the execution of agreements that support business goals. You will manage a team, or a group of teams to ensure support across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience required.
• Presently hold or capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance (Secret, Top Secret Preferred).
• 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 with license, non-disclosure and teaming agreements
• Vast experience in both commercial contracting, development, pre-production and production product lines
• Demonstrated applied knowledge with the requirements of Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (ie FAR Part 15)
• 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.
• Working knowledge of federal acquisition process, government contracting principles and regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS, contract-specific flow-downs, etc.) required
• Demonstrated understanding of contractual terms and conditions and high-risk terms required
• Demonstrated knowledge of Export regulations
• Experienced with finance and accounting procedures
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously without sacrificing quality or timeliness
• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.
• ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) certified and Advanced Degree preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write persuasively
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• 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
• Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• A key contributor to continuous improvement and implementation of company procedures and contract management
• Provides the highest customer service experience to company internal and external customers
• Demonstrates high organizational skills and conducts business in a professional manner.
• Process-oriented, results and deadline-driven; Professional appearance and conduct at all times
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

Responsibilities

• Provide direction, 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
• 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 for programs with complex, multi-year contracts
• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in the business development process by providing expertise in contract knowledge, bid evaluation, proposal, and contract negotiation processes.
• Resolving conflicts or complaints from customers and employees.
• Analyzing information and processes and developing more effective or efficient processes and strategies.
• Generating reports and presenting information to upper-level managers or other parties.
• Personnel management of assigned contracting staff.
• Ensuring assigned staff members follow company policies and procedures.
• Other duties to ensure the overall health and success of the business.

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: Mid Level