Contracts Director

About the role

Salute Hospitality delivers dining solutions for the military. American owned and mission ready, we support service members, families, and base communities each day, with wellness built into everything we do: menus designed for strength, energy, and endurance, from chefs who treat every meal as part of the job. Capability Built. Mission Ready. Here for the Full Journey.

The Director, Contracts is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of federal government contracts across Aramark’s Salute program – our military and defense food service brand operating across U.S. military installations nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Manage federal contracts from proposal through closeout
• Track key dates, deliverables, modifications, and reporting using Smartsheet
• Review, negotiate and execute contract terms with Legal and Finance
• Develop budgets, manage funding changes, prepare REAs, and submit documentation to contracting offices
• Serve as the primary internal resource for federal contracts and AbilityOne subcontracts
• Partner with SourceAmerica to management AbilityOne requirements and resolve issues
• Maintain oversight of contract performance, compliance, and financial reconciliation
• Communicate contract changes to leadership and maintain organized documentation
• Identify and mitigate risks across the portfolio
• Oversee invoicing, payments, and cost reporting; prepare financial reports for internal and federal stakeholders
• Validate and submit monthly invoices and track payments, cash flow, and outstanding items using Smartsheet
• Develop standardized procedures for contract and operational management
• Track capital spends, project, and performance metrics
• Support Quarterly Business Reviews and provide ad-hoc reporting and data insights
• Train Aramark teams on federal contracting, FAR, SCA compliance and best practices
• Provide guidance across lines of business to ensure consistent adherence to regulatory standards
• Guide Business Development Directors through SAM.gov processes
• Review federal opportunities (RFPs, RFIs, Sources Sought) and support proposal development
• Attend site visits, provide proposal content, and engage with contracting personnel to support growth
• Lead project management for new Salute location launches and facility refreshes, including micro market design and installation
• Coordinate with capital equipment vendors on specifications, estimates, and installation
• Use Smartsheet to support client initiatives and broader business projects
• Oversee federal payment platforms and ensure accurate, timely processing across accounts

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in federal contract management, government contracting, or a closely related field
• Military experience required – active duty, reserve, or direct professional experience working with or within a military installation environment
• Familiarity with federal government contracting processes, DoD contract structures, and military operational culture is essential
• Strong working knowledge of federal acquisition regulations (FAR), Service Contract Act (SCA) compliance, and AbilityOne program requirements
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or multi-contract federal portfolios
• Proficiency in Smartsheet or equivalent project management and contract tracking tools
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Contract Management, Finance, or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) food service contracts or Government Food Service (GFS) programs
• Familiarity with SAM.gov, federal RFP/RFI processes, and government procurement platforms
• Prior experience with Aramark or a large managed services or food service company operating under federal contracts
• Experience with Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REA) and federal contract modification processes
• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) or equivalent professional certification a plus