Agreements & IP Governance Manager

Overview

This role owns how the organization manages agreements and protects intellectual property (IP) and data rights. Responsibilities span the full lifecycle of government and commercial agreements—from intake through closeout—while keeping IP register and data rights records audit-ready. The position also supports program, engineering, and business development teams by clarifying what can be signed, shared, and marked, and by escalating decisions involving legal, financial, or strategic risk (signature authority remains with designated company officers).

Responsibilities

• Triage, review, and route prime contracts, subcontracts, OT agreements, SBIR/STTR awards, CRADAs, NDAs, teaming agreements, licenses, and supplier and consulting agreements.
• Summarize risks in scope, flowdowns, payment, liability, termination, and IP/data rights terms; recommend positions to decision-makers.
• Maintain templates, a clause library, and a central agreements tracker, including key dates, obligations, and closeout requirements.
• Keep the company IP register current; run the invention disclosure process.
• Track government-funded subject invention deadlines.
• Track the funding source of technical data and software; maintain data rights assertion lists.
• Ensure deliverables include correct restrictive markings.
• Respond to government questions and challenges regarding markings and assertions.
• Coordinate with Trade Compliance on export-controlled items and technology.
• Train program, engineering, and business development staff on agreement routing, NDAs, and protecting IP.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, contracts management, law, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in contracts administration, agreements management, or IP and data rights administration, including agreement drafting; at least 5 years with the government or a defense contractor.
• Strong knowledge of the FAR and DFARS, particularly IP and data rights clauses.
• Experience reviewing NDAs, teaming agreements, subcontracts, and licensing agreements.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills, with the ability to manage many agreements and deadlines at once.
• Clear writing skills that translate legal and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for technical teams.
• U.S. person status as defined by the ITAR, and eligibility for a security clearance if required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SBIR/STTR awards, OT agreements, or CRADAs.
• Familiarity with Bayh-Dole reporting and patent prosecution workflows.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR/OFAC, CUI handling, and NIST SP 800-171/CMMC.
• Experience in advanced materials, manufacturing, or R&D settings.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range (full-time, exempt): $135,000–$150,000 per year, based on experience.
• Medical coverage with an employer contribution.
• Education sponsorship.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Location

Sterling, Virginia

Export Control Notice

This position requires access to export-controlled information. Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals).

Equal Opportunity Employer

The organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.