Senior Contracts Manager

At Areté, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation's most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

We are seeking a Senior Contracts Manager who will be charged with significant responsibilities in negotiating complex contracts with government and commercial customers, advising senior management on business strategy, developing accurate and competitive cost proposals, and administering government and commercial contracts and other agreements. This position will be at either our Northridge, CA, Tucson, AZ, or new Falls Church, VA facility. Depending on business needs, up to 20% remote work is permissible after an introductory period. This is an exempt non-supervisory full-time position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with teams comprised of senior management, technical staff, business administration, and supply chain in negotiating contracts for government/commercial customers and suppliers.

• Advise senior management and proposal teams on business strategy, risk, and compliance during proposal development, contract negotiations, and contract execution.

• Prepare detailed, accurate, and competitive cost proposals and cost strategies to maximize probability of winning profitable new business. Review basis of internal cost estimates for reasonableness and allowability. Perform pricing compliant with customer requirements and company accounting system.

• Administer all post-proposal activities such as audits, contract negotiation, and award. Work with customer and Areté staff to track and expedite contract award. Maintain detailed records of all information exchanged and results of each action.

• Prepare and issue internal contract work authorizations.

• Maintain current and accurate data in the contracts database on proposal and contract status/information.

• Advise program management of contractual rights and obligations; maintain company contract file and historical information under established procedures.

• Establish and maintain strong internal communications within the company at all levels to provide information on open contract matters. Establish and maintain relations with external customers to communicate all proposal and contract matters.

• Perform contract closeout readiness in accordance with company policy and Federal Regulations to ensure timely submittal of final vouchers.

• Other duties, as assigned.

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Generous PTO and Leave Times

• Bereavement

• Flextime Scheduling

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid Parental Leave

Financial Benefits

• 401K Retirement Plan Contribution

• Cafeteria 125 Plan

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan

• Continuing Education Funds

Health, Medical, and Wellness Benefits

• Medical Insurance

• Dental & Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD)

• Vision Reimbursement

Qualities We Look For

• Creativity

• Integrity

• Passion

• Responsiveness

• Collaboration

Experiences and Background We Look For:

• High level of knowledge of and experience with government contracting and proposal preparation. Experience with contracting under FAR Part 15 and Other Transaction Agreements.

• Extensive experience with a variety of contract types: Cost Plus Fixed-Fee (term and completion), Firm-Fixed Price, Fixed Price LOE, and Time and Materials.

• A strong desire to learn technical aspects of the business and product lines in order to understand internal/external customer needs. Experience with the same.

• Experience negotiating with a wide range of customers including the U.S. federal government, large businesses, small businesses, and educational institutions.

• High level of knowledge of and experience with federal and agency-specific acquisition regulations (FAR, DFARs, and others), DCAA and DCMA requirements, and ability to research and understand CFR citations. Ability to recognize, interpret, and apply applicable regulations to resolve complex contract issues.

• Excels at effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues, management and executives.

• Experience with non-commercial pricing and FAR Part 31 cost principles.

• Skilled at implementing a team approach when developing strategic and innovative proposal and contract solutions within regulatory guidelines, resulting in agreements that consider, properly weigh, and resolve the needs of the program, the customer, the business unit, and the company.

• Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and import regulations.

• Advanced skills in all MS Office Suite programs. Familiarity with ProPricer is desirable.

• U.S. citizenship is required. Top Secret national security clearance or ability to obtain the same is preferable.

The salary range for this role is $145,000 to $155,000; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility. Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility. Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

Other Considerations

Areté is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.