Contracts Manager

Company Overview

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.

Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.

We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.

Job Summary

The Contracts Manager is responsible for managing contract activities throughout their lifecycle, from proposal through closeout, ensuring compliance with all government and commercial requirements. This role collaborates closely with program management, finance, and supply chain teams to mitigate risk, maintain compliance, and support the organization’s operational and strategic objectives.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manage federal and commercial contracts across multiple types, including FFP, T&M, Cost Plus, Purchase Orders, IDIQs, and BPAs.


• Negotiate, draft, and administer contracts and related agreements, including subcontracts, NDAs, Teaming Agreements, and MOUs.


• Monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with terms, identify risks, and drive timely resolution.


• Serve as the primary point of contact for contract matters, advising internal teams and liaising with customers and partners.


• Interpret RFPs, prepare compliance matrices, and contribute to proposal development and submission.


• Coordinate contract initiation, reviews, and closeout while maintaining compliant documentation per FAR/DFARS and company policies.


• Support continuous improvement of contract management policies, templates, and workflow.

Position Qualifications

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities


• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written in an honest, open and timely manner


• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current


• Technical Skill - Possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform a job or role effectively


• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently or in a team environment, is accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record


• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products


• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality


• Initiative / Take Ownership - Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion, meaning own your job and see it through


• Decision Making – Problem solve and critical thinking skills, be able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions 


• Customer Focus - Understands and can meet the needs in a customer-centric (Internal and External) environment and build strong relationships. Promotes a positive image of the company and strives to solve issues raised by customers

Experience and Skills

• 5 years of experience in contract administration or management. (Minimum of 3 years in a DOD, manufacturing environment, or commercial contracting desired).


• Active security clearance within the past two years or ability to obtain one is required.


• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and other relevant government acquisition regulations and policies. 


• Experience with ITAR/EAR and international contracting, a plus.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and other business applications.


• Proven negotiation abilities.


• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Education  

• Bachelor’s degree (or associate’s degree with additional 2 years of required, relevant work experience).


• Master’s Degree, Juris Doctor or professional certifications (e.g. NCMA, CFCM, or CPCM) preferred.

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination and affirmative action. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.