Contract Subject Matter Expert

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000 employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.   We understand the value of diversity and its impact on a high-performance culture.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.   

Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.

Responsibilities

Draper Laboratory is looking for a Contracts Subject Matter Expert with a background in full cradle-to-grave Government Contracting to join their team in Cambridge, MA or Reston, VA (other campus locations may be an option also).

The Contract Subject Matter Expert provides both its internal and external customers with solution-oriented leadership and guidance and is focused on achieving the strategic objectives of the organization while balancing risk and regulatory compliance. This functional Subject Matter Expert negotiates and manages highly complex and strategically important cradle-to-grave government contracts / subcontracts, ensuring consistency with customer requirements, compliance obligations and Draper policies and procedures.  This role also interfaces with potential and current customers, supports capture and proposal opportunities, analyzes terms and conditions, negotiates agreements, monitors performance/compliance, manages changes, and readies contracts for closeout. Collaborates with cross-functional Program teams and senior leadership to meet annual objectives and support customer deliverables.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform contract management functions in support of U.S. Government & Commercial Contracts
• Manage tactical and strategic aspects of our contract relationships, which includes interface with internal and external organizations, such as Program Management, Program Office, and Contract POCs.
• Develop solutions to problems of unusual complexity that require a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, and innovation.
• Be the focal point for contract performance while working within a matrixed program team environment, including: Capture and Proposal related support, review of terms and conditions and other contract requirements, analysis of subcontractor flow-downs, conduct robust proactive change management, monitor contract performance, and ready for closeout prior to physical completion.
• Ability to develop sound business cases and analyze large volumes of data.
• Communicate clearly, strong writing skills, be proactive in a very fast paced environment, flexible, innovative, work with speed and agility yet be thorough, and drive tasks to completion.
• Mentor junior Contracts professionals to assist with knowledge transfer and improving functional bench strength.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with 15 years of experience in government contracts management, as both a prime contractor and subcontractor,, including proposal or capture management
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage competing priorities, deadlines, and resolve contractual conflicts in a fast paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to take part in process and procedural improvement activities
• Experience bidding, negotiating and managing a variety of contract types for Research and Development and Production Contracts consistent with sound business and financial principles
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Strong ability to effectively negotiate customer disputes and changes
• Ability to perform in a lead capacity
• Experience implementing compliance plans based on Prime Contract terms and conditions including agency unique terms and conditions
• Significant expertise of government acquisition framework and FAR/DFARS regulations
• Comfort interacting with executive leadership
• Significant expertise with Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act requirements and certifications
• Experience with license agreements and Intellectual Property terms
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to learn and effectively apply new tools, processes and procedures
• Ability to travel domestically, if required
• Ability to obtain a US secret clearance required, with the ability to obtain top secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Security Clearance
• Master’s Degree or Advanced Level Degree