Program Contracts Manager

Red Cell Partners is an incubation firm building and investing in rapidly scalable technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in healthcare, cyber, and national security. DEFCON AI, a Red Cell company, is an insights company leveraging AI, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering to optimize complex systems, enabling better decision-making and resilience against disruptions.

About the Role

As we expand our U.S. Marine Corps program, we are seeking a Program Contracts Manager to build and own the contract operations backbone that enables successful program execution. This role will own contract operations, subcontract administration, milestone acceptance coordination, invoice readiness, and execution governance for a major U.S. defense program. You will establish systems, processes, templates, and operating rhythms to ensure effective program execution while aligning subcontractors, deliverables, invoices, modifications, and contractual obligations.

Responsibilities

• Own Contract & Subcontract Operations
  • Manage the full lifecycle of contracts and subcontracts, teaming agreements, and consulting arrangements.
  • Draft, review, negotiate, and administer subcontract agreements and modifications.
  • Translate prime agreement requirements into executable subcontract structures.
  • Maintain subcontract records, deliverables, milestones, and commercial terms.
  • Coordinate with program leadership and finance on business positions and negotiations.
• Drive Milestone & Invoice Readiness
  • Develop and manage milestone tracking and contract execution artifacts.
  • Coordinate acceptance-package development across technical, program, and finance stakeholders.
  • Build invoice-support packages and readiness documentation.
  • Identify and flag contractual and compliance risks, including terms ambiguity, flow-down gaps, undocumented scope changes, and invoice or acceptance exposure.
  • Maintain audit-ready records and submission documentation.
• Build Scalable Contract Operations
  • Design templates, trackers, governance processes, and escalation paths.
  • Build processes that fit the program’s current needs while laying the foundation for future growth.
  • Improve discipline around contract execution without slowing delivery.
  • Establish standards for documentation, reporting, and contract governance.
  • Operate independently without established playbooks or a dedicated contracts team.
• Support Program Leadership
  • Conduct change-impact assessments and modification analysis.
  • Develop decision-ready recommendations for leadership review.
  • Support customer correspondence, clarification requests, and issue resolution.
  • Escalate complex issues with facts, options, and recommended courses of action.

Requirements

• Experience administering and negotiating contracts and subcontracts in a U.S. defense contracting environment.
• Experience drafting, redlining, and negotiating contract language.
• Experience translating prime contract requirements into subcontract flow-downs.
• Experience supporting milestone-based deliverables and contract execution.
• Ability to build lightweight, repeatable processes in fast-moving or immature environments.
• Ability to operate independently within a matrixed organization.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, making defensible decisions without complete information, and adjusting as the program evolves.
• U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting defense technology or software programs.
• Familiarity with Other Transaction (OT/OTA) contracts.
• Experience working with acceptance-based invoicing models.
• Experience supporting multi-party subcontractor ecosystems.
• Familiarity with DoW program execution environments.
• NCMA CPCM or CFCM certification.

Why This Role Matters

This role sits at the center of program execution. You will help ensure that contracts, subcontracts, milestones, deliverables, and payments stay aligned while enabling technical and program teams to focus on mission delivery. The right candidate is a builder, operator, and problem-solver who enjoys creating order from complexity and establishing scalable systems in a rapidly growing company.

Benefits

• Fully remote, results-based environment.
• Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package.
• 100% employer-paid, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for you and your family.
• Unlimited PTO, with manager approval.
• Flexible work environment where you manage your workday.
• 14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave.
• Career track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement based on performance.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Optional 401K, FSA, and equity incentives.
• Mental health benefits through Tara Mind.
• Cost-effective GLP-1 solutions through Crux.

Pay

Salary Range: $110,000–$140,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.