SENIOR MANAGER, CONTRACTS - AEROSPACE & DEFENSE

SENIOR MANAGER, CONTRACTS – AEROSPACE & DEFENSE

 Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
 Work Arrangement: Onsite
 Salary: $190,000–$200,000 annually
 Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
 Clearance: Active SECRET Clearance Required
✈️ Travel: Occasional
 Relocation Assistance: May be available for an ideal candidate

Senior Manager, Contracts

A leading organization in the Aerospace, Defense, and Advanced Technology industry is seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Contracts to lead a team supporting a growing portfolio of sophisticated U.S. Government and defense programs.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an accomplished defense contracts professional with extensive experience managing complex government contracts, negotiations, proposals, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will serve as a senior contracts leader and strategic advisor while managing contracts professionals and working closely with program management, finance, legal, engineering, operations, and government customers.

Work Schedule

The organization offers a 9/80 work schedule, allowing employees to work 80 hours across nine workdays and receive every other Friday off.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of contracts professionals supporting a growing defense systems portfolio.

• Provide contracts leadership, coaching, mentoring, training, and strategic guidance to team members.

• Manage complex U.S. Government and commercial contracts from proposal through execution and closeout.

• Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and conduct contractual and business risk assessments.

• Lead proposal preparation, contract negotiations, contract administration, change management, and customer contractual activities.

• Develop comprehensive negotiation strategies for complex agreements and government programs.

• Identify contractual risks and develop strategies that protect the organization while supporting key business objectives.

• Provide guidance on complex contractual, regulatory, and business issues.

• Serve as the senior contracts point of contact for internal leadership, customers, and government representatives.

• Review, analyze, and interpret Statements of Work, solicitations, RFPs, government regulations, contractual terms, and technical documentation.

• Support contracts involving development, production, engineering services, commercial and non-commercial programs.

• Work closely with senior executives and cross-functional leadership to achieve favorable business outcomes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

✅ Active SECRET security clearance

✅ Extensive experience supporting the U.S. Department of Defense or federal government contracting environment

✅ Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and CAS

✅ Experience working with multiple government contract types, including:

• Firm Fixed Price (FFP)
• Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)
• Incentive Fee contracts
• Award Fee contracts
• Development contracts
• Production contracts
• Engineering services agreements

✅ Demonstrated experience negotiating complex contract terms and conditions.

✅ Experience reviewing RFPs, developing proposals, assessing contractual risk, and administering government contracts.

✅ Previous experience managing, mentoring, or leading contracts professionals.

✅ Ability to work onsite in Northampton, Massachusetts.

✅ Ability to travel occasionally as business needs require.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Contracts, Legal Studies, Finance, or related discipline 9 years of relevant experience

OR

• Graduate Degree 7 years of relevant experience

OR

• 13 years of directly related professional experience in lieu of a degree

Candidates with approximately 10–15 years of defense contracting experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

HIGHLY PREFERRED

⭐ Experience negotiating directly with U.S. Government and commercial customers

⭐ Contract negotiation experience involving FAR Part 15 programs

⭐ Expert-level knowledge of FAR and DFARS

⭐ Strong understanding of ITAR, EAR, and CAS requirements

⭐ Experience leading major negotiations and developing negotiation strategies

⭐ Experience communicating and negotiating with senior executives and government officials

⭐ Demonstrated leadership and staff-development experience

⭐ Strong critical-thinking, business judgment, presentation, and communication skills

⭐ Experience working in complex cross-functional aerospace or defense environments

⭐ NCMA certification such as:

• CPCM – Certified Professional Contracts Manager
• CFCM – Certified Federal Contracts Manager
• CCCM – Certified Commercial Contracts Manager

NCMA certification is preferred but not required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an accomplished Defense Contracts Manager, Senior Contracts Manager, Contracts Director, or Government Contracts professional who has spent significant time supporting Department of Defense programs.

You should be comfortable leading sophisticated negotiations, interpreting FAR/DFARS requirements, advising senior leadership, managing contractual risk, mentoring contracts professionals, and interacting directly with government and commercial customers.

An active SECRET clearance is mandatory.

Compensation & Benefits

 Base Salary: $190,000–$200,000 annually

✅ Full benefits package
✅ Full-time permanent employment
✅ 9/80 work schedule — every other Friday off
✅ Possible relocation assistance for an exceptional candidate
✅ Interview travel may be reimbursed
✅ Long-term opportunity supporting sophisticated aerospace and defense programs

Apply Today

Qualified candidates with an active SECRET clearance and strong Department of Defense contracts experience are encouraged to apply immediately.

Please submit an updated resume clearly highlighting your experience with:

FAR • DFARS • ITAR • EAR • CAS • Government Contracts • RFPs • Contract Negotiations • FAR Part 15 • Defense Programs • Contract Administration • Team Leadership

A leading organization in the Aerospace, Defense, and Advanced Technology industry is seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Contracts to lead a team supporting a growing portfolio of sophisticated U.S. Government and defense programs.