Staff Contracts Manager

At Arete, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation's most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

We are seeking a Staff Contracts Manager who will be charged with significant responsibilities in negotiating non-disclosure agreements with government and commercial customers, advising business teams on terms risk mitigation strategy, supporting cost proposal preparation, and administering standard government and commercial contracts and other agreements. This position can be based in either of our Falls Church, VA; Tucson, AZ; or Northridge, CA offices. Depending on business needs, up to 20% remote work is permissible after an introductory period. This is an exempt, non-supervisory, full-time position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary Contracts focal for all non-disclosure agreements. Process NDA requests, beginning with NDA preparation (using established templates), submission to external party, negotiation, and execution.
• Coordinate with teams comprised of program management, technical staff, and business administration to negotiate NDAs and mitigate risk to protect company interests.
• Monitor and track NDA status, and maintain NDA files post-execution.
• Support export compliance policies and procedures; perform restricted party screening and due diligence of potential business partners, per established processes. Update files to reflect 3rd party screening and export compliance due diligence.
• Support administration of the on-line export compliance company-wide training; track reports to ensure completion of all mandatory new-hire training and annual refresher, or special training as needed.
• Assist internal customers with export compliance questions and work as needed with company's export compliance subject matter expert (SME).
• Proactively look for opportunities to improve established Contracts processes, procedures, resources, and tools.
• Coordinate with internal teams to support pre-award activities such as RFP review/analysis, terms review, cost proposal preparation, and pre-award fact finding of standard government and commercial contracts.
• Post-award, assist with contract review and data entry to the contract lifecycle management system, and prepare and issue internal contract work authorizations.
• Advise program management of contractual rights and obligations; maintain contract file and historical information under established procedures.
• Establish and maintain strong internal communications within the company at all levels to provide information on open contract matters. Establish and maintain relations with external customers to communicate regarding proposal and contract matters.
• Perform contract closeout readiness in accordance with company policy and Federal Regulations.
• Other duties, as assigned.

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Vision Reimbursement
• Fitness Reimbursement

Financial:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan Contributions
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Continuing Education Assistance

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible Scheduling
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

What We Value:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across teams and specialties
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• Experience with government contracting (FAR, DFARS, etc.).
• Experience administering a variety of contract types: Cost Reimbursement, Firm-Fixed Price, and Time and Materials.
• A strong desire to learn technical aspects of the business and product lines in order to understand internal/external customer needs.
• Ability to review, research, and understand customer RFP requirements, federal regulations, and compliance policies.
• Excels at effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues, management and executives.
• Skilled at implementing a team approach when developing strategic and innovative proposal and contract solutions within regulatory guidelines, resulting in agreements that consider, properly weigh, and resolve the needs of the program, the customer, the business unit, and the company.
• Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and import regulations.
• Advanced skills in all MS Office Suite programs.
• Comfortable learning and working in various customer online portals and software based applications and information systems.
• Must have strong organizational skills and scrupulous attention to detail; comfortable working in a fast paced environment.
• U.S. citizenship is required. Top Secret national security clearance or ability to obtain the same is preferable.

Nice To Have (Preferred Skill):

• Experience negotiating with a wide range of customers including the U.S. federal government, large businesses, small businesses, and educational institutions.
• Familiarity with ProPricer is desirable.

The salary range for this role is $90,000/yr to $110,000/yr; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations

Arete is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.

Arete is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Arete will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Arete Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.