Contracts Manager in Charlottesville, VA at Austal

REPORTS TO:  Director Pricing and Contracts

SUPERVISES:  Contract Administrators and other support staff for the program(s), if assigned any.

Austal USA Advanced Technologies (AT) is a division of Austal USA, a global defense prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships.

Austal USA AT works at the forefront to invent, mature, and implement advanced maritime technologies which enhance operational capacities and improve readiness of our defense systems. Austal USA AT operates a technology hub in Charlottesville VA which works to bring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to scale and also oversees operation of the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM COE) located in Danville, VA. The mission of the AM COE is to operationalize additive manufacturing in the submarine industrial base and provide emergent request support to sustain our Nation’s fleet.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A Contracts Manager has overall responsibility for all aspects of contract administration for assigned program(s) including but not limited to the following: 

• Overseeing and coordinating day-to-day contract administration activities and specifically for supervising a team of contract specialists, if assigned any, in their performance of assigned duties in support of same.
• Drafting contracts, contract modifications, agreements, memorandums of understanding, terms and conditions, and other contract related documents.
• Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact with the Customer on formal communications and submittals, and specifically for leading the negotiations for new contracts and contract modifications.
• Acting as primary liaison and contractual point of contact for coordination and communication with all departments on contract related issues.
• Supporting and providing guidance to Supply Chain Management Department when requested for disputes, negotiations, and other contractual matters concerning subcontracts.
• Developing and maintaining clause flow down supplements to the Company’s general terms and conditions for subcontracts and participating in meetings related thereto.
• Maintaining contract files (e.g. proposals, contracts, correspondence, modifications).
• Maintaining current contract and funding values, reporting those values monthly to Finance, and certifying the accuracy of the values monthly.
• Assisting in the management and resolution of accounting issues that have significant implications to contract performance and payment for same (e.g. contract type, cost accounting standards, cost allowability, payment terms, disclosure statements, certifications, audit requests, and retentions).
• Leading new business pursuits and change management on existing contracts by developing contract strategies and specifically for reviewing solicitations and change requests and developing formal proposals, bids, and contract modifications including negotiating same with the Customer.
• Supporting the development of and reviewing new bid and change proposal to ensure they comply with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements, and preparing the representations and certifications associated with same prior to submission to the Customer.
• Assisting all departments on issues of contract interpretation.
• Leading the effort on matters of contract dispute resolution including protests, claims and lawsuits for disputes between Company and Customer.
• Analyzing and interpreting contract requirements, special provisions, and terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and the company’s practices, policies, procedure and guidelines. 
• Analyzing new laws, regulations, Presidential proclamations, executive orders, and contract trends for potential impact on current and future contracts.
• Assisting in the development of business alliances and partnering agreements when requested.
• Functioning as domain expert on selected areas and issues (e.g. FAR/DFARS, REAs, claims, data rights, foreign military sales, and organizational conflict of interest).
• Assisting in the identification, development, implementation and maintenance of Contracts Department practices, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Managing a staff of contract specialists, if assigned any, with responsibility for coordinating with the Director of Pricing and Contracts and Human Resources on hiring, firing, monitoring performance, disciplining, conducting and documenting evaluations, goal setting, approving leave, monitoring attendance, upholding high ethical standards, promoting teamwork and maintaining an emphasis on accountability and achieving results.
• Mentoring and training support staff, if assigned any, to ensure professional development within the Contracts Department is consistent with the Company’s and employee’s needs and goals.
• Maintaining a strong understanding of the Company’s overall business strategy and an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications for contracting activities.
• Support the Estimating Business System initiative in response to RFP or RFQ requirements to ensure adequate supervision and sound proposals, to protect from duplication and omissions, in accordance with DFARs Cost Estimating System Requirements.
• Support other Business Systems initiatives, audits, and demonstrations as requested to ensure compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field; Master’s degree or Law Degree preferred. 
• A minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years as a Contracts Manager overseeing Federal contracts in a similar field or industry (i.e. shipbuilding, defense, ship services & repair).
• Must have experience in preparing and submitting notifications of change and requests for equitable adjustments or certified claims.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, negotiating skills and the ability to manage and prioritize tasks using available resources effectively and efficiently.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and other agency supplements to the FAR.
• Must be proficient with the use of Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and other generally used business software (e.g. Adobe Acrobat), and possess the ability to learn how to use new software and tools that may be implemented by the Company.
• Must be able to participate in, and in many cases, lead a team to meet all commitments within a required deadline, which may at times require working outside of normal business hours.

LIAISES WITH: Customers, executive staff and management level personnel from all departments.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

• The ability to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance may be required if deemed necessary in the scope of your position responsibilities.
• Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:
  • 18 years of age or older at time of application.
  • Able to provide proof of US Person Status.
  • No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date.
  • No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date.
  • Willing to submit to a drug screen.
  • Willing to submit to a background check.

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.