VP, Government Contracts

Viasat, Inc.•Carlsbad, CA

About The Position

The Government contracts group at Viasat specializes in conducting proposal preparation, negotiation, pre-contract data collection, and administration of government contracts. Analyzes estimates of material, equipment, and production costs. Reviews contractual documents to ensure adherence to firm policy, government specifications, and master agreements requirements. This role would oversee a team of senior contract professionals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Law, Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
20–25+ years of progressively responsible experience as a director of contract management functions, with a heavy focus on U.S. Government (DoD) contracts, as well as international contracting.
Master-level knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
Proven track record of managing large-scale, complex contract structures including Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Plus (CPFF), and Time & Materials (T&M).
Deep understanding of the 2026 defense acquisition reforms, including "Best Value" selection criteria and new digital inventory requirements for weapon-system technical data.
Experience managing program financials and cost-accounting standards, including familiarity with the updated CAS coverage thresholds.
Must be a US Citizen and have the ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor (JD) or MBA with a focus on Government Procurement Law.
Professional certification such as Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) or Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) from the NCMA.
Direct experience in the Aerospace, Satellite Communications, or Defense Technology sectors.
Familiarity with digital contract management platforms and AI-driven tools for tracking technical data and contract notations as required by the 2026 SPEED Act.
Demonstrated success in high-stakes negotiations with the Department of Defense (DoD) and major prime contractors.
Experience with international sovereign sales and international product support and "contested logistics" environments as defined in recent National Defense Authorization Acts.
Experience with reorganizing, integrating, and transforming businesses to drive operational efficiency and performance.

Responsibilities

Directly manage teams of contract managers conducting the preparation, negotiation, acceptance, and management of government contracts and subcontracts.
Reviews and approves all contractual documents for protection of company's contractual posture, satisfaction of government specifications and requirements, and adherence to company policy.
Advises management of contractual rights and obligations and provides interpretation of terms and conditions.
Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function.
Identifies and evaluates fundamental issues, providing strategy and direction for functional or technical areas. Takes responsibility for the performance and outcomes of one or more functions, operates at the highest level of autonomy, and may significantly influence the industry narrative.
Communicates organizational vision and goals globally, shaping industry narratives. Represents the organization with authority and clarity at a global scale.
Participates in strategy development and partners with other leaders to execute upon strategic plans and objectives. Often makes final decisions on technical or operational matters and ensures achievement of objectives.
Demonstrates a high level of competency in core areas of management by translating operational or technical goals into subordinate managers' business objectives. Mentors top emerging leaders within the organization, shaping company direction. Maintains a track record of followership and leads activities of one or more functional areas through subordinate directors/managers.