Contracts Manager

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MITRE has an opening for a contracts manager responsible for all aspects of contract negotiation, management and administration for the MITRE National Security Sector (MNS) National Security Engineering Center (NSEC) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), specifically supporting the Air Force (AF) FFRDC contract and the Air and Space Force Center. In addition, serve as the MITRE liaison with the government Corporate Administrative Contracting Officer (CACO).

The position requires the ability to be a strategic partner to the Company’s leaders and business support teams and to provide creative and thoughtful solutions to business needs while protecting the Company’s interests.

Job Description:

• Actively manage and facilitate excellent relationships with the Air Force (AF) Contracting Officer (CO), Analysts, CACO, and DCAA

• Oversees the management, negotiation and administration of all aspects of the contract lifecycle through closeout providing contract administration expertise across the NSEC Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC); Optimizing contractual terms for MITRE to include but not limited to lowering Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), maximize funding to avoid instances of MITRE operating at risk and maximize profit through fee/margin based on contract type

• In response to strategic initiatives and other business drivers, initiates relationships with significant customers and serves as primary AF portfolio interface for senior and executive level procurement officials within the Air Force; Understands and works toward trust and successful outcomes of professional relationships

• Actively manage and facilitate excellent relationships internally and externally to include promoting the FFRDC role and value

• Identifies and mitigates risk at the Program and Corporate levels

• Works collaboratively across the NSEC FFRDC with other FFRDC Contracts Managers to align goals and mission needs with overall NSEC FFRDC requirements

• Generates and negotiates supporting contractual documents, such as, but not limited to, data use agreements, non-disclosure agreements, software evaluation agreements, license agreements and public release requests.

• Acts in partnership with MITRE senior leadership, providing agile, responsive, decisive advice and counsel to meet mission needs. Promotes innovative contracting strategies and new business models that support MITRE’s goals. Proactively guides Air and Space Force Center business planning activities as an integral and engaged member of the management team

• Applies contracting expertise with a technical understanding of the NSEC FFRDC mission needs to answer unusual and difficult contracts questions; Integrates knowledge from other disciplines. Uses thought leadership to develop and champion solutions to overcome obstacles

• Acts as a knowledge resource for more junior Contracts staff, as well as staff outside the discipline

• In response to strategic initiatives and other business drivers, initiates relationships with significant customers and serves as primary interface for senior level procurement officials within sponsor/customer organizations. Understands and works toward trust and successful outcomes of professional relationships.

• Provides contractual and business recommendations to technical staff regarding (but not limited to) proprietary information, patent disclosures, intellectual property and other contractual issues

• Tracks and communicates trends in Government and commercial contracting and provides guidance to leadership

• Provides contractual and business recommendations to technical staff regarding proprietary information, patent disclosures, intellectual property and other contractual issues

• Leads Contracts Management Office business/strategic program initiatives, as assigned, that align with Contracts Senior Leadership goals

• Work seamlessly, collaborate and mitigate/solve problems with finance business partners for the Air and Space Force Center

• Support innovation, optimization and enterprise best practice standardization of contracting process to ensure consistent and compliant application of MITRE policies and government requirements

• Provide timely input into contract system(s) in response to RFP, Proposals, Awards and Modifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. Government contract laws and regulations

• Experience working with multiple contract types (FFP, T&M, Cost Reimbursable – specifically CPFF, etc.)

• Familiarity with negotiating and submission of proposals to the Federal Government

• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, make informed decisions, follow up, and meet deadlines

• Excellent customer service skills with ability to initiate and foster collaborative relationships both internally and externally

• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft office applications in a Windows environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with negotiating and submission of proposals for Commercial, State, Local and Non-profit Institutions

• Unison Contract Lifecycle Management experience

• Working knowledge of Federally Funded Research and Development Center governance documents (i.e. Sponsoring Agreement, Core Work Statement)

• Financial planning and project control experience (i.e. rate development, fee structure)

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Work Location Type:

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