Executive Director, Contracts Operations
About Mathematica
Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.
Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
Develop and execute the organization's long-term contracting strategy, governance model, and operating framework in alignment with business unit and enterprise objectives.
Establish enterprise-wide contracting policies, procedures, controls, and governance practices that support organizational growth while ensuring effective management of contractual, regulatory, financial, and operational risk.
Serve as the organization's senior advisor on complex contractual matters involving federal, state and local government, commercial, nonprofit, and subcontracting relationships.
Evaluate highly complex, novel, and ambiguous contractual issues and provide strategic recommendations that balance business opportunities, customer relationships, compliance obligations, operational realities, financial performance, and enterprise risk.
Lead resolution of significant contractual disputes, customer escalations, performance challenges, and business-critical contractual matters.
Anticipate emerging regulatory, acquisition, and market trends and proactively evolve contracting strategies, capabilities, and governance practices to position the organization for future success.
Represent the organization in high-impact negotiations, strategic customer engagements, industry forums, and complex contractual matters where outcomes have significant business, financial, operational, or reputational implications.
Partner with Business Development, Capture, and Program Leadership to strengthen customer relationships, support strategic pursuits, and enhance competitive positioning.
Provide executive-level contracting expertise during proposal development, contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, and customer engagements.
Develop a multi-year vision for contract operations that advances organizational effectiveness, scalability, responsiveness, and business performance.
Implement and optimize artificial intelligence, automation, and technology solutions that improve quality, efficiency, consistency, and customer service.
Design and implement scalable operational models that support federal, state and local government, commercial, nonprofit, and subcontracting activities.
Establish enterprise performance standards, workflows, controls, and service models that improve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Lead transformation initiatives that strengthen organizational agility, reduce cycle times, improve quality, and increase contracting effectiveness.
Oversee evaluation, implementation, and optimization of contract lifecycle management systems, technologies, and tools.
Establish enterprise contract data governance standards, reporting frameworks, and information management practices.
Develop contract intelligence capabilities that provide actionable insights into portfolio performance, contractual risk exposure, workload trends, compliance indicators, customer needs, and operational effectiveness.
Utilize data and analytics to support strategic planning, resource allocation, investment decisions, forecasting, and risk management.
Partner with technology and business leaders to improve the quality, accessibility, and strategic value of contract-related information.
Deliver executive-level reporting and insights that support informed decision-making and organizational performance.
Contribute to the development and execution of business unit and enterprise strategies by providing expert guidance on contractual, regulatory, operational, and market considerations.
Evaluate strategic business opportunities, investments, partnerships, and pursuits to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and risk tolerance.
Collaborate with executive leadership to identify critical business challenges and develop innovative solutions that strengthen organizational performance and competitive differentiation.
Ensure the contracts function serves as a strategic business partner that accelerates growth, improves operational outcomes, and enhances customer value.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing contracts organization through multiple levels of management.
Establish leadership expectations, accountability frameworks, and measurable performance standards that drive excellence and continuous improvement.
Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, innovation, customer focus, and operational discipline.
Develop organizational capabilities in federal contracting, contract review, negotiation, risk management, customer engagement, data-driven decision-making, and business partnership.
Align organizational structure, workforce planning, and talent strategies with current and future business needs.
Develop succession plans and leadership pipelines that strengthen long-term organizational capability and readiness.
Required Qualifications
Advanced degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Government Contracting, Acquisition, Finance, Law, or a related field.
Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in federal contracting, subcontracting, acquisition, procurement, contract management, or related disciplines, including substantial leadership experience leading contract operations, governance, risk management, and contracting organizations.
Minimum 8 years of leadership experience managing contract operations, governance, risk management, contracting organizations, or related business functions through multiple levels of management.
A combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
Deep expertise in the FAR, agency supplements, federal contracting requirements, and industry best practices.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing enterprise contracting strategies and leading complex contract operations.
Advanced contract review, negotiation, and risk management experience across federal, state and local government, commercial, nonprofit, prime contractor, and subcontractor environments.
Demonstrated success leading organizational transformation, operational improvement, and enterprise change initiatives.
Experience implementing and leveraging AI-enabled and technology-driven solutions to improve contracting effectiveness and operational performance.
Strong executive presence, business acumen, stakeholder management, negotiation skills, and analytical capabilities.
CPCM, CFCM, FAC-C, NCMA certifications, or other relevant professional credentials.
Experience supporting federal, state and local government, commercial, and nonprofit sectors.
Experience implementing or optimizing contract lifecycle management systems and contract intelligence platforms.
Experience supporting growth-oriented organizations through business development, capture, and strategic growth initiatives.