Contracts Manager III

JPL

$105K — $126K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Business Administration, finance, or business law plus 6 years of experience; or Master's with 4 years; or PhD with 2 years.
  • Advanced understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations and government contracting principles, especially in relation to NASA.
  • Strong judgment and communication skills to influence stakeholders effectively.
  • Proficiency in MS Office and fast learner of JPL-specific software.

Responsibilities

  • Manage complex contracts independently, making impactful decisions across organizations.
  • Lead proposal development and contractual risk analysis from planning to negotiation.
  • Influence teams on contract implications while coordinating with legal and management.
  • Interpret contract clauses and guide stakeholders on rights and obligations.
  • Negotiate diverse agreements including NDAs and MOUs.
  • Ensure compliance and maintain high-quality contract record accessibility.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans.
  • Paid time off and flexible work schedule options.
  • Childcare and parental leave support.
  • Opportunities for professional development and learning.
  • Focus on work-life balance and healthy living.
Full Job Description
Job Details

As a Contracts Manager III in the Contracts Management, Policy, and Compliance Section (2110), you will lead high-complexity contractual actions, shape institutional negotiation positions, and influence decisions across the Laboratory and with our Sponsors. You will coordinate across key organizations to keep JPL's contract posture consistent and aligned with institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to:
  • Independently manage complex contract matters requiring advanced judgment. Decisions have significant positive impact across multifunctional organizations, contributing to new business opportunities and mission outcomes.
  • Lead development of complex proposals, and modifications involving contractual risk, including end-to-end planning, requirements analysis, negotiation preparation, and stakeholder coordination.
  • Lead integrated teams and influence business and technical partners on contract impacts and implementation. Coordinate with Legal, Finance, and Program Management and Technical teams, as well as Sponsors, throughout contract execution.
  • Interpret contract clauses and apply advanced knowledge to formulate negotiations considering operational, financial, and policy impacts across JPL. Provide authoritative guidance on contractual rights, obligations, and regulatory requirements ensuring clarity and consistency across stakeholders.
  • Negotiate complex agreements, such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), Interagency Personnel Agreements (IPA), and other contractual agreements.
  • Maintain "gold-standard" accessible contract records. Ensure documents are in compliance with contract specifications and JPL policies.


Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, finance, business law or related field with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; OR PhD in similar discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
  • Demonstrated advanced knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and government contracting principles on Government Contracts and/or Prime/Subcontract administration, NASA and/or JPL policies, and commercial contracting standards.
  • Demonstrated strong judgment and exceptional communication skills, effectively influencing key stakeholders, including legal, executive teams, and faculty.
  • Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to quickly master JPL-specific financial and tracking software.


Desired Qualifications:
  • An active TS/SCI Clearance is highly desirable.


JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$105,976 - $126,256

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