Director Contract Administration 1

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems in air and space that impact people’s lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our work preserves freedom and democracy, and advances human discovery and our understanding of the universe. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have a lot of fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they’re making history.

Northrop Grumman  Space Systems is seeking a Contracts Director to join its team of qualified and diverse individuals supporting its Tactical Space Systems Division (TSSD) in its Space Systems sector. The successful applicant will assume contract management responsibilities for Space Security (SPS) Business Unit, which has a primary presence in Dulles, VA.  The successful candidate will be a direct report to the TSSD Sr. Director of Contracts, and work closely with Business Unit VPs, functional and program directors, and other functional leadership. 

TSSD including its SPS Business Unit is experiencing unprecedented success and growth, therefore the successful candidate must have the proven ability to provide persistent on-site contract management of highly complex DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) space systems contracts, including R&D, prototype and production. 

In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the SPS Business Unit contracts portfolio spanning four Operating Units delivering strong customer satisfaction, successful financial performance and risk mitigation. The candidate must possess the ability to work independently and make independent decisions, while ensuring high levels of collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts.

The Contracts Director’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Abide by the highest ethical standards for personal conduct and provide the requisite leadership to ensure compliance with Northrop Grumman ethical standards and requirements, and company policies and procedures.
• Provide strategic contract management leadership and guidance to management at the SPS Business Unit level and its four Operating Units, to promote achievement of company and customer objectives.
• Advise the TSSD Sr. Director of Contracts and SPS Business Unit VP and Operating Unit Directors of contractual risks, liabilities and obligations; devise, recommend and implement creative and innovative solutions by applying procurement regulations and terms to preempt/resolve disagreements and address complex contractual issues; develop productive relationships with customer counterparts.
• Participate and/or lead the development/improvement of best-in-class Contract Management processes and procedures. Provide training as required.
• Advise in, and potentially participate in, the development, interaction and negotiation with US Government, primarily DoD and IC customers, to implement strategic agreements including non-disclosure agreements, teaming arrangements, IP license agreements, et al, as applicable.
• Support a diversified contracts team with responsibilities for DOD and IC contracting. Development and mentoring of contracts professionals is a critical aspect of this position.
• Provide persistent on-site management and supervisory oversight to a diverse staff of contracts professionals, including both senior and junior level personnel.
• Ensure contract compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including FAR and DFARS, across the SPS contracts portfolio.
• Lead SPS Business Unit level proposal and agreement delegations through Northrop Grumman’s Commitment Review and Approval process through close coordination with SPS’ Operating Units.
  • Review and approve contractual documents for protection of the company's contractual/risk posture, satisfaction of contractual requirements and adherence to company policies and therefore a keen attention to detail is essential.
  • Planning and ensuring the successful contract negotiations of a complex nature and achieving targeted profit rates as well as favorable terms and conditions to assist in meeting profit and cash goals.

Candidate's ability to build strong customer intimacy and employee engagement is a key priority to assist with growing this important Business Unit.

Basic Qualifications:

• Current, active Top-Secret clearance. 
• BS/BA in Business, Finance, or related field; and 10+ years of experience, or an MS Degree and 8+ years of experience in contracts administration within an aerospace environment.
• 5+ Prior management experience and demonstrated ability to lead teams and develop talent.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFAR and other government regulations
• Understanding of commercial/US Government contractual instruments including contract type, terms and conditions, and contract financing vehicles.
• Experience in development of proposal cost or pricing strategies
• Experience negotiating and administering various contract types of varying sizes and types of agreements with the DoD restricted and Intelligence Communities.
• Superior ability to apply functional experience to create effective contractual solutions.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Ability to function independently and effectively with competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, hands-on, on-site secured environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, or equivalent professional contract management certification.
• An active TS/SCI Full Scope Polygraph security clearance.

Salary Range: $168,800 USD - $253,200 USD

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.