Contracts Manager

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

The Manager, Contracts is a portfolio manager supporting complex product lines or a full Business Area of responsibility. This role accomplishes work through a team of individual contributors spanning multiple job grades and may include a Senior Supervisor. This functional leader is program-facing with cross-functional matrix reporting to the VP/GM of a Business Area and/or the Business Area Directorate. The Manager, Contracts is a pivotal leader, developing a highly effective team of direct reports, and collaborating closely with program teams to ensure efficient and effective cradle-to-grave contract management that drives efficiency and partnership, supporting our annual operating plan, functional initiatives, and future-focused corporate strategies. This role drives customer solutions and positive outcomes for business growth. Familiarization with a variety of contractual instruments, such as Department of Defense Contracts, Other Transactional Authority Agreements, Prime-to-Sub Contracts, and Intellectual Property Licensing Agreements, is a requirement to be successful in this role.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities

• Sole responsibility for cradle-to-grave contract management across a complex and strategic portfolio or a full Business Area
• Manage and coach a team of Contract Representatives engaged in supporting a fast-paced Contracts organization; work effectively with all staff to advance the goals of the corporation while developing talent on-the-job to motivate for excellence and encourage career progression
• Proactively work across the Contracts Operations team, other functions, Program Managers, and Business Area leaders to identify industry, customer, and situational trends, which may introduce risk into our contract terms and conditions, negotiation strategies, or execution plans; develop thorough and sustaining solutions to complex problems by applying a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, and innovation
• Prioritize customer relationships as an advocate for the corporation while addressing escalations and influencing for results
• Monitor and refine standard work processes to mitigate risk, reduce inefficiencies, and improve the responsiveness and accuracy of standard work; appropriately resource staffing needs within our annual operating budget and utilization goals
• Foster a compliance culture for regulatory standards, contract requirements, corporate policies, and functional procedures

Skills/Abilities

• A leader within the Contracts function with expert level knowledge of FAR/DFARS, regulatory compliance, government acquisition framework, industry best practices for Contracts processes, and a lifelong student of understanding industry trends and anticipating regulatory changes/impacts
• Highly effective in understanding the complexity of the Contracts role in a cross-functional program team environment and influencing for results with government and industry partners
• Expert level business acumen, gained from working in a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities for a vast range of Contracts and customers within the Government Contracting industry, while being accountable for achieving annual operating plans, functional budgets, and other corporate objectives
• Industry expert in competitive captures, proposal management, negotiations, change management, dispute resolution, contract compliance, terms and conditions analysis, developing contracting and negotiation strategies, and contract closeout for a variety of contract types, vehicles, agreements, and customers
• Demonstrated experience with license agreements and Intellectual Property terms for furthering the goals of a Business Area IP Strategy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills with comfort around higher level leaders and direct reports
• Ability to perform in a leadership capacity for career development, mentoring, and knowledge transfer at multiple levels of an organization and grow a highly effective performing team
• Skilled in making and executing data-based decisions with a strong sense of timing, while remaining flexible and adaptable to pivot when making tough calls; ability to demonstrate effective soft skills in a multitude of situations while remaining diplomatic and relationship-centered  
• Experience implementing and monitoring compliance to functional processes, business systems, and managing a variety of complex projects of strategic significance with cross-functional stakeholders
• Comprehensive understanding of our corporate history, culture, organization, and Draper Business Systems to understand how to effectively navigate for successful long-term, strategic outcomes
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn and continuously improve our use of systems, tools, policies and procedures

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of study required; advanced degree preferred and can be considered in lieu of 2 years of experience.  High School diploma with some college and four years additional work experience in lieu of bachelor’s degree.
• Professional Certifications (e.g. CFCM, CPCM, etc.) preferred

Experience

• 7 years of experience with in-depth contract management in a national security / aerospace and defense contracting environment;
• Contracts experience as both a prime contractor and subcontractor on a variety of contract types and vehicles with a diversity of customers for programs across the acquisition lifecycle for values, complexities, and priorities;
• Years of relevant cross-functional experience within the national security or aerospace and defense industry preferred
• 3 years of people leadership experience with an emphasis on employee development and coaching/mentoring individual contributors

Additional Job Description:

Current in scope Secret security clearance is required.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government Top Secret security clearance.

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Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$117,500.00 - $307,500.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.  Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected].