Contract Subject Matter Expert

About the Role

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation.

The Contract Principal solves the hardest Contracting challenges for Draper, providing both internal and external customers with solution-oriented leadership and guidance. This role focuses on achieving the strategic objectives of the organization while balancing risk and regulatory compliance. The Contract Principal negotiates, manages, and mentors others on highly complex and strategically important cradle-to-grave government contracts and prime subcontracts, ensuring consistency with customer requirements, compliance obligations, and Draper policies and procedures.

This position supports our Electronic Systems contract actions, working with the ES team across multiple Government functions and Industry Partner contracts to support Research and Development, prototyping, and production contracts. The candidate must be familiar with multiple contract types, including CPFF, FFP, T&M, OTA, and BOA contracts.

Responsibilities

• Comprehensive cradle-to-grave proactive, compliant contract management for complex contracts across acquisition phases for DoD, National Security, and/or other prime contractors within an assigned Business Area or unique role.
• Manage strategic aspects of internal and/or external customer relationships as an advocate for our function and corporation.
• Independently develop compliant solutions to problems of unusual complexity requiring ingenuity, creativity, and innovation to collaborate across stakeholder and cross-functional program teams.
• Serve as the focal point for contract performance within a matrixed program team environment, including:
  • Capture and proposal-related support.
  • Review of terms and conditions and other contract requirements.
  • Analysis of subcontractor flow-downs.
  • Conduct robust proactive change management.
  • Monitor contract performance and resolve disputes in a timely manner.
  • Prepare contracts for closeout prior to physical completion.
• Mentor junior-level and mid-career Contracts professionals through real-life scenarios to teach best practices and adherence to processes and contract requirements.
• Develop sound business cases and analyze large volumes of data while supporting complex long-term projects of strategic importance.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Draper Business Systems.
• Exhibit best-in-industry written and verbal communication skills, with comfort interacting with higher-level leaders and junior-level Contract Representatives.
• Mentor junior to mid-career Contracts professionals and supervisors/managers to assist with knowledge transfer and improving functional bench strength.
• Perform any role within the organization, routinely delegated authority to act in a leadership capacity, and provide bench-strength as needed across Business Areas.

Requirements

• 15+ years of related experience in Contracts as a prime contractor and subcontractor on a variety of contract types, vehicles, and customers for programs across the acquisition lifecycle of all sizes and complexities. Additional years of relevant cross-functional experience within the national security or aerospace and defense industry preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study required; advanced degree preferred and can be considered in lieu of 2 years of experience.
• Professional Certifications (e.g., CFCM, CPCM) preferred.
• Due to the nature of the work, applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Skills

• Expert-level knowledge of FAR/DFARS, regulatory compliance, government acquisition framework, and industry best practices for Contracts processes.
• Highly effective in improving standard work processes and understanding the complexity of the contracts role in a cross-functional program team environment.
• Expert-level business acumen gained from working in a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities for a vast range of contracts and customers within the Government Contracting industry.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage competing priorities, deadlines, and resolve contractual conflicts in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience bidding, negotiating, and managing a variety of contract types for Research and Development and Production Contracts consistent with sound business and financial principles.
• Strong ability to effectively negotiate customer disputes and perform in a leadership capacity.
• Experience implementing compliance plans based on Prime Contract terms and conditions, including agency-unique terms.
• Significant expertise negotiating within established negotiation strategies/parameters for approval and with Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act requirements and certifications.
• Demonstrated experience with license agreements and Intellectual Property terms for furthering the goals of a Business Area IP Strategy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn and continuously improve the use of systems, tools, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• Workplace flexibility and employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga.
• Health and finance workshops, off-site social events, and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

Pay

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $100,000.00 - $275,000.00. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.