Director, Contracts Management and Compliance (Preaward)

Overview

This senior-level position is responsible for contract negotiation and administration, focusing primarily on the pre-award phase of the contract lifecycle. The role includes management oversight of teams of contracts professionals supporting assigned contract portfolios. The position leads the development and implementation of pre-award contract functions and collaborates with leadership to expand training platforms on key contract concepts and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen the library of pre-award templates and guidance, including business volume templates, teaming agreements, MOUs, NDAs, and compliance matrices.
• Identify recurring contractual issues during bidding and negotiation and develop processes and best practices to represent organizational needs.
• Implement key trigger points for broader contracts department involvement in business development.
• Enhance pre-award best practices such as compliance matrices and memoranda of negotiation.
• Negotiate and administer a complex contract portfolio including prime awards (contracts, cooperative agreements, grants), sub-awards/subcontracts, and non-monetary agreements.
• Maintain subject matter expertise to ensure compliant and timely contract administration from pre-award through closeout.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with project teams and enterprise service groups including finance, legal, procurement, and HR.
• Support department leadership in assessing and developing operational procedures, systems, templates, and tools to ensure compliance with statutes, donor regulations, and organizational policies.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise on contractual topics and department infrastructure.
• Lead or participate in organization-level initiatives as assigned.
• Commit the organization to contracts within delegated signature authorities.
• Interpret complex regulations and provide guidance on critical issues.
• Oversee contracts staff participation in pre-award activities.
• Manage review, negotiation, and administration of prime awards and subawards.
• Provide training, guidance, and support to contracts staff.
• Support compliance with U.S. Government contracting requirements and audit activities.
• Act as contractual liaison to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying training needs and developing consistent contracts functions globally.
• Supervise assigned staff, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work.
• Manage recruitment, performance assessments, and personnel actions for assigned staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or international equivalent in Business Administration or related field; JD, MBA, or other advanced degree preferred.
• Master’s degree with 10+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 6 years management experience; or Bachelor’s degree with 12 years experience including 6 years management.
• Minimum 8+ years experience with contracting authority in Federal Government acquisition or assistance processes or comparable.
• At least 7 years experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing contracts with emphasis on USG agencies, foundations, and multilateral organizations.
• Expertise in USG, commercial, and private acquisition and assistance processes.
• Experience negotiating and managing clinical research/research contracts across USG, private/foundation, and commercial sectors.
• Demonstrated leadership and previous management responsibility for multiple direct reports.
• Proficient in English (read, write, speak).
• Comprehensive knowledge of USG acquisition and assistance regulations including OMB circulars, USAID ADS, CFR, FAR, AIDAR, and HHSAR.
• Knowledge of commercial and private sector contracting.
• Strong technical skills in contract negotiation, management, and administration.
• Ability to work independently on multiple projects.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Sensitivity to cross-cultural communication and understanding of political and ethical issues in research and international programs.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Physical Demands

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at a computer screen and performing repetitive keyboard work.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology

• Personal computer/laptop.
• Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams.
• Cell phone/mobile technology and standard office equipment.

Travel

• Less than 10% travel required.

Compensation & Benefits

• US-based hiring salary range: $130,000 - $160,000 annually.
• Salary offers consider experience, education, internal equity, business sector, and budget.
• Employer contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan.
• Full-time US-based staff receive 18 days paid vacation, 12 sick days, and 11 holidays annually; paid time off is prorated for part-time employees.

Location

• US-based position with potential international hiring ranges differing by location.

This job description summarizes the main duties and is not a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to revise the description at any time. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable laws regarding non-discrimination and employment of individuals with criminal histories. All employment offers are subject to appropriate screening checks including reference, criminal record, and terrorism finance checks. The organization is committed to safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in the workplace and programs.