Principal Contracts Manager

Mercury Systems•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

Mercury Systems is seeking a Principal Contracts Manager to support its Integrated Processing Solutions (IPS) business unit as an individual contributor on the contracts team. The role requires thorough knowledge of U.S. Department of Defense contracting, strong judgment and problem-solving, leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in high-stress, high-volume situations. The successful candidate will apply expertise in customer relationships, risk analysis and mitigation, regulations, and contract negotiations. They will work effectively with internal functional and program organizations to support program objectives and Mercury’s business goals, while interfacing with government, prime contractor, and other customer representatives. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or a related field; at least six years of directly related experience in contract administration, business management, or finance with U.S. Government defense organizations or prime contractors; and U.S. citizenship. The candidate must be able to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance or higher. Travel is as required and estimated at less than 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or a related field.
At least six years of directly related experience in contract administration, business management, or finance with U.S. Government defense organizations or prime contractors.
Experience with U.S. Government, prime, and commercial contracts.
Experience with U.S. Government weighted guidelines profit.
Experience with defense contract types including cost reimbursable, CPFF, CPIF, FFP, T&M, incentive-type contracts, IDIQ, and SBIR, and with all contracting phases from pre-solicitation through completion or termination and closeout.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. Government regulations, including FAR and DFARS, with emphasis on Part 12 and Part 15 acquisitions.
Strong analytical, financial, and negotiation skills, with demonstrated attention to detail.
Full understanding of the contracts lifecycle from RFP through closeout.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance or higher.
Ability to travel as required; estimated travel is less than 10%.

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly for both the U.S. Government and defense contractors.
Ability to work in a highly interactive team environment, under pressure and tight deadlines, while managing multiple priorities and producing quality work.
Ability to identify performance risks and recommend mitigations.
Experience with government and business systems, including SAM, D&B, Certs & Reps, and Exostar.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to company policies and government acquisition laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

Manage program contracts supporting the IPS Business Unit.
Review complex solicitations and requests for proposals; prepare specialized or non-routine proposal responses with the proposal team.
Review and approve contractual documents for compliance with customer specifications and requirements, terms and conditions, applicable FAR/DFARS clauses, special provisions, and company policies and procedures.
Draft, review, and redline customer agreements and negotiate complex agreements, including master agreements, to protect the company’s interests.
Develop and recommend negotiation strategies aligned with business goals and objectives.
Advise management and program teams on contractual rights and obligations, intellectual property protections and data rights assertions, organizational conflicts of interest, and general risks and mitigation strategies.
Maintain deadlines for internal and external customer requests and contractual historical data; enter contract data into databases as required.
Analyze and track contract compliance in coordination with other functions.
Interface directly with government contracting officials, prime contractor procurement representatives, and other customer representatives.
Coordinate internally with Contracts team members, Legal, Program Management, Capture, Finance, Pricing, Proposal, Property, Quality, Engineering, and other functional staff as needed.
Coordinate and support audit activities with prime contractors, government entities, or other agencies.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers and communicate project status.