Manager of Contracts

Austal USA • Mobile, AL

6d

About The Position

The Manager of Contracts has overall responsibility for all aspects of contract administration for assigned programs. This role involves overseeing and coordinating day-to-day contract administration activities, including supervising a team of contract specialists. The position requires drafting various contract-related documents, acting as the primary liaison with customers on contractual matters, and coordinating with internal departments. The Manager of Contracts will also support the Supply Chain Management Department, develop subcontract terms, maintain contract files, and manage contract and funding values. Additionally, this role assists in resolving accounting issues with significant contract implications, leads new business pursuits and change management, and reviews proposals to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. The position also involves interpreting contract requirements, analyzing new laws and regulations, and assisting in the development of business alliances. The Manager of Contracts functions as a domain expert in selected areas and assists in developing departmental policies and procedures. A key responsibility includes managing a staff of contract specialists, which involves hiring, performance monitoring, discipline, evaluations, goal setting, and promoting teamwork and accountability. Mentoring and training support staff is also crucial for professional development. The role requires a strong understanding of the Company's business strategy and financial implications of contracting activities, as well as supporting business system initiatives and audits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field; Master’s degree or Law Degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10+ years of relevant contracts experience, including experience administering and negotiating Federal contracts; 5+ years of management experience with Federal contracts in a similar field or industry (e.g., shipbuilding, defense, ship services and repair) is preferred.
• Must have experience in preparing and submitting notifications of change and requests for equitable adjustments or certified claims.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, negotiating skills and the ability to manage and prioritize tasks using available resources effectively and efficiently.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and other agency supplements to the FAR.
• Must be proficient with the use of Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and other generally used business software (e.g. Adobe Acrobat) and possess the ability to learn how to use new software and tools that may be implemented by the Company.
• Must be able to participate in, and in many cases, lead a team to meet all commitments within a required deadline, which may at times require working outside of normal business hours.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance may be required if deemed necessary in the scope of your position responsibilities.
• Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA: 18 years of age or older at time of application
• Able to provide proof of US Person Status
• No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
• No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
• Willing to submit to a drug screen
• Willing to submit to a background check

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or Law Degree preferred.
• 5+ years of management experience with Federal contracts in a similar field or industry (e.g., shipbuilding, defense, ship services and repair) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing and coordinating day-to-day contract administration activities and specifically for supervising a team of contract specialists, if assigned any, in their performance of assigned duties in support of same.
• Drafting contracts, contract modifications, agreements, memorandums of understanding, terms and conditions, and another contract related documents.
• Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact with the Customer on formal communications and submittments, and specifically for leading the negotiations for new contracts and contract modifications.
• Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact for coordination and communication with all departments on contract related issues.
• Supporting and providing guidance to Supply Chain Management Department when requested for disputes, negotiations, and other contractual matters concerning subcontracts.
• Developing and maintaining clause flow down supplements to the Company’s general terms and conditions for subcontracts and participating in meetings related thereto.
• Maintaining contract files (e.g. proposals, contracts, correspondence, modifications).
• Maintaining current contract and funding values, reporting those values monthly to Finance, and certifying the accuracy of the values monthly.
• Assisting in the management and resolution of accounting issues that have significant implications to contract performance and payment for same (e.g. contract type, cost accounting standards, cost allowability, payment terms, disclosure statements, certifications, audit requests, and retentions).
• Leading new business pursuits and change management on existing contracts by developing contract strategies and specifically for reviewing solicitations and change requests and developing formal proposals, bids, and contract modifications including negotiating same with the Customer.
• Supporting the development of and reviewing new bid and change proposal to ensure they comply with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements, and preparing the representations and certifications associated with same prior to submission to the Customer.
• Assisting all departments on issues of contract interpretation.
• Leading the effort on matters of contract dispute resolution including protests, claims and lawsuits for disputes between Company and Customer.
• Analyzing and interpreting contract requirements, special provisions, and terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and the Company’s practices, policies, procedure and guidelines.
• Analyzing new laws, regulations, Presidential proclamations, executive orders, and contract trends for potential impact on current and future contracts.
• Assisting in the development of business alliances and partnering agreements when requested.
• Functioning as domain expert on selected areas and issues (e.g. FAR/DFARS, REAs, claims, data rights, foreign military sales, and organizational conflict of interest).
• Assisting in the identification, development, implementation and maintenance of Contracts Department practices, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Managing a staff of contract specialists, if assigned any, with responsibility for coordinating with the Director of Pricing and Contracts and Human Resources on hiring, firing, monitoring performance, disciplining, conducting and documenting evaluations, goal setting, approving leave, monitoring attendance, upholding high ethical standards, promoting teamwork and maintaining an emphasis on accountability and achieving results.
• Mentoring and training support staff, if assigned any, to ensure professional development within the Contracts Department is consistent with the Company’s and employee’s needs and goals.
• Maintaining a strong understanding of the Company’s overall business strategy and an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications for contracting activities.
• Support the Estimating Business System initiative in response to RFP or RFQ requirements to ensure adequate supervision and sound proposals, to protect from duplication and omissions, in accordance with DFARs Cost Estimating System Requirements.
• Support other Business Systems initiatives, audits, and demonstrations as requested to ensure compliance.

Benefits

• Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager