Director of Commercial Contracts

It’s about the journey. Whether it’s a bus ride or flight, our commercial electronic systems help transport millions of passengers every day. Every second a plane takes off somewhere in the world, enabled by our flight-critical products. On the ground, our electric and hybrid solutions save more than 22 million gallons of fuel per year. Be part of our journey at Aerospace & Mission Systems where you’ll be among the brightest minds, working on the industry’s most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we’re innovating for the future.

About the Role

In Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS), you will have the opportunity to help define and develop the next generation of avionics for both commercial and military platforms – whether it is fly-by-wire flight controls, full authority digital engine controls, or power management. This role involves collaborative/in-person and independent work, and can be either onsite or a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely (fully remote considered for the right candidate, with travel required).

Join a dynamic Contracts team supporting the delivery of mission critical capabilities across a diverse portfolio of commercial, government, and international customers. The Contracts organization is the trusted business partner managing customer relationships, negotiating deals, creating innovative solutions, and providing regulatory knowledge to our customers. We are committed to employee growth and development, allowing employees to build a long term career at BAE Systems.

With our historic growth and position as one of the world’s largest Aerospace, Defense, and Security Companies, we look to recruit and retain the best and brightest. We view culture as one of our most critical competitive advantages. Contracts employees come to work every day because of our strong culture and passion for our significant role in the success of the business.

Our Cultural Principles:

• Engage everyone with respect and goodwill
• Stay calm independent of circumstances
• Be humble and work collaboratively
• Feel empowered to do the right thing
• Listen, be curious, and allow differences to influence our decisions

BAE Systems is looking for motivated and experienced Contracts professionals to join our Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS) Business to lead the Commercial segment of the Contracts organization, as either the Commercial Development Contracts Director or the Commercial Contracts Director (strategically overseeing both Development and Production/Sustainment teams). These candidates will be a part of the core CAS Contracts leadership team helping to develop and implement the business strategy.

The successful candidate will lead all contracting activities with minimal supervision. Directors will lead a team resident in both Endicott, New York, Fort Wayne, Indiana and remote individuals. This position will be responsible for ensuring compliance with company policies and legal and customer requirements with limited guidance or supervision of the Business Area Senior Director of Contracts.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the product line directors and direct the work of contracts team to align and ensure completion of the shared business objectives.
• Provide leadership to support staffing, training, mentoring and performance management of Contracting professionals to ensure effective staffing and growth.
• Collaborate with business partners to build and nurture a supportive and inclusive team that utilizes best practice talent management approaches.
• Provide guidance for Contract Administrators/Managers to drive effective contract and performance execution supporting the organization’s delivery of positive financial performance throughout all acquisition phases, to include complex development and production contracts.
• Oversee and direct daily contractual activities, providing guidance on contractual/business issues, assisting with strategies and recommendations, solving complex contractual and programmatic issues, etc.
• Independently direct team’s proposal activities including analysis of solicitations, preparing proposals, developing strategies and recommendations, preparing terms and conditions, conducting business risk assessment, completing negotiations, and drafting of contract terms.
• Consult with other functional departments to advise the ES and CAS leadership teams of contractual rights and obligations, risk mitigation alternatives, program issues, and business strategy.
• Ensure that all contractual arrangements offer the Company a reasonable probability of accomplishing the business objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior supply chain leaders representing our customers. Direct negotiations and customer visits when required.
• Maintain and demonstrate an expert-level understanding of the Commercial acquisition and procurement environments, the BAE Systems Contracts function and relevant Company policies and procedures, Commercial Contracting methods and practices, export compliance, and FAR/DFARS regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience in Commercial, International, and some US Government Contracting
• Proven track record of negotiating complex contracts, with ability to work a broad portfolio of programs sizes and types, and significant proposal preparation experience
• Ability to make independent decisions, execute business strategy, and close actions
• Strong knowledge and practical experience with change management and intellectual property protection strategies
• Proven competency in organizing, managing, and leading high performing and diverse teams, and driving successor development
• Ability to work effectively with global customer base
• Strong written, verbal, and executive presentation skills
• Sound interpersonal skills and stakeholder management involving interfacing and negotiating with company personnel and customers at high organizational levels

Preferred Qualifications

• International Commercial Aerospace experience
• Transit Electrification experience
• MBA, JD, or other advanced degree
• NCMA Certification/involvement

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $138,267 - $235,053. Individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health savings accounts
• A 401(k) savings plan
• Disability coverage
• Life and accident insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Legal plan
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave
• Employee recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards
• Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics