Manager of Contracts

Austal•Mobile, AL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Contracts has overall responsibility for all aspects of contract administration for assigned programs. This includes overseeing and coordinating day-to-day contract administration activities, supervising a team of contract specialists, and acting as the primary liaison for contractual matters with customers and internal departments. The role involves drafting contracts, negotiating new contracts and modifications, supporting supply chain management, maintaining contract files and financial values, and resolving accounting and dispute issues. The Manager will also lead new business pursuits and change management, analyze contract requirements and legal trends, and assist in developing business alliances. This position requires functioning as a domain expert on selected areas like FAR/DFARS and managing staff, including hiring, performance monitoring, and professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in related field.
A minimum of 10+ years of relevant contracts experience, including experience administering and negotiating Federal contracts.
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).
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.
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.
Supervising a team of contract specialists, if assigned any, in their performance of assigned duties.
Drafting contracts, contract modifications, agreements, memorandums of understanding, terms and conditions, and other contract-related documents.
Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact with the Customer on formal communications and submittals.
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 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.
Leading new business pursuits and change management on existing contracts by developing contract strategies.
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 proposals to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements.
Preparing the representations and certifications associated with proposals 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.
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.
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.