What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Strategic Contracts position at Standard Aero?
Director, Strategic Contracts
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Build an Aviation Career You're Proud Of
At StandardAero, we use our ingenuity and know-how to find solutions for the simple to the most complex challenges in aviation. Together, we get the job done and done well. Our stability, resources, and respectful culture supports you in building a solid career with a great team you can count on day in and day out for the long term.
The Component Repair Services ("CRS") segment is a fast-growing business focused on the MRO of commercial, military and land & marine engine components and accessories.
As the Director, Strategic Contracts you will be responsible for developing and executing CRS contract strategies that align with business objectives and supply chain operations. You will oversee contract lifecycle management, negotiation frameworks, and governance processes to drive consistency, mitigate risk, and enable commercial success across the enterprise. Additionally, you will be responsible for the implementation of long-term partner agreements and the financial analysis of these partner relationships. You will possess a strong background in contract negotiation, supply chain strategy, and stakeholder collaboration across legal, finance, and operations.
What you'll do:
Contract Strategy & Governance:
- Develop enterprise-wide contract strategies and standards that promote scalability, efficiency, and legal compliance.
- Establish and maintain contract governance frameworks, approval matrices, and escalation protocols.
Enterprise Partnership:
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders across legal, supply chain, finance, operations, IT, and business development to align contract terms with corporate objectives.
- Serve as a strategic advisor on complex deal structures, master agreements, and strategic partnerships.
Contract Lifecycle Oversight:
- Oversee end-to-end contract lifecycle processes, including initiation, negotiation, execution, and renewal.
Negotiation Leadership:
- Lead contract negotiations with clients, vendors, and partners.
- Ensure terms are commercially sound and aligned with strategic objectives.
Process Optimization & Reporting:
- Identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes and reduce turnaround times.
- Provide visibility into contract performance, obligations, and exposure through regular reporting and dashboards.
Supplier/OEM Relationship Management:
- Develop strategic partnerships with key suppliers/OEMs to drive performance, compliance, and value delivery.
What skills you will use:
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Law or related field and/or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in Operations, BD, Strategy or Supply Chain roles, with a minimum of 4 years in a leadership role.
- Previous experience supporting aviation/aerospace or MRO required.
- Demonstrated business acumen, the ability to generate business cases and to execute financial plans.
- Experience dealing with OEMs/Suppliers and relationship building.
- Strong demonstrated contract negotiation skills.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and an eye for detail.
- Strong project management skills.
- Strong planning, organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.
- Strong knowledge of StandardAero products, processes, and customer requirements.
- Must be authorized to work in the US.
Preferred Characteristics:
- Experience within engine/O&G industries with MRO/manufacturing experience preferred
- MBA preferred
Benefits that make life better:
- Comprehensive Healthcare
- 401(k) with 100% company match; up to 5% vested
- Paid Time Off starting on day one
- Bonus opportunities
- Health- & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Short- & Long-Term Disability
- Life & AD&D Insurance
- Learning & Training opportunities
StandardAero is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, and basis of disability status or any other federal, state or local protected class.