Senior Director of Contracts
About The Position
The Senior Director of Contracts is the senior leader responsible for the Company's contracts function and provides strategic and operational leadership across the full contract lifecycle. Reporting to the CFO, this position serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and business leaders on contractual strategy, risk, compliance, negotiations, and execution. The Senior Director leads the development, negotiation, administration, and compliance of prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and other commercial and government agreements supporting Trident's business. The position works closely with Finance, Business Development, Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations to identify and mitigate contractual risk, support business growth, and ensure compliance with applicable federal contracting requirements. This position requires an experienced federal contracts leader with deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and government contracting practices, as well as demonstrated experience leading a contracts organization within the aerospace, defense, intelligence, or other highly regulated environment.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Contracts, Finance, Law, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 15+ years of related experience or 13+ years with a graduate degree
- Experience in government contracting, contracts management, or a related discipline, preferably within the aerospace, defense, intelligence, or federal government contracting industry.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing a contracts organization.
- Strong working knowledge of export compliance regulations, including ITAR.
- Extensive knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal government contracting requirements.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and contract modifications.
- Experience with multiple contract types, including FFP, CPFF/CPAF, T&M, IDIQ, and LOE.
- Experience supporting the full contract lifecycle, including proposals, negotiations, administration, modifications, compliance, and closeout.
- Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, communicate, and mitigate contractual and business risks.
- Experience advising senior leadership and cross-functional business leaders on complex contractual matters.
- Excellent written, verbal, analytical, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree, JD, or advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
- Experience within a small-to-medium-sized government contractor or high-growth aerospace/defense organization.
- Experience with DCAA/DCMA audits, reviews, or government contract administration activities.
- Experience with government data rights, intellectual property, and technical data requirements.
- Experience with contract management systems and process automation.
- Professional certification such as Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), or equivalent.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, mergers, integrations, or other strategic corporate transactions.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop Trident’s Contracts organization, including staffing, resource planning, processes, policies, and performance objectives.
- Oversee the full lifecycle of government and commercial contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and other contractual instruments from proposal through closeout.
- Serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership and business area leaders on contractual strategy, risk, compliance, negotiations, and business decisions.
- Lead the review and negotiation of complex contracts, modifications, subcontracts, teaming agreements, and other agreements with government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and commercial partners.
- Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal contracting requirements, and maintain appropriate policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Partner with Business Development, Program Management, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain and Operations to support proposals, new business opportunities, contract execution, and resolution of contractual issues.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual risks, including changes, claims, disputes, flow-down requirements, data rights, intellectual property, and other significant contractual matters.
- Oversee government contract vehicles, including IDIQs, BPAs, GSA schedules, and other applicable vehicles, ensuring ongoing compliance and effective administration.
- Support government audits, customer reviews, and other regulatory inquiries, ensuring the organization is prepared to demonstrate contract compliance.
- Ensure compliance with export control regulations, including ITAR, in addition to FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal contracting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TINA) requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement, standardization, and automation of contract management processes while ensuring the Contracts function effectively supports Trident’s growth.
Benefits
- Health benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Basic life with AD&D
- Short term disability
- Long term disability
- Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
- Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
- Paid time off
- Holidays
- 401(k) (including company match)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
- Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
