Contracts Manager V

JPL

$162K — $204K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field (12 years of experience) OR Master's degree (10 years) OR PhD (8 years) in a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated managerial or project leadership experience, capable of driving change and innovation under pressure.
  • Expert knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and government/commercial contracting principles, with proven negotiation skills.
  • In-depth knowledge of advanced contract principles and best practices in contracts and program management.
  • Ability to lead with executive judgment and maintain composure in high-stakes environments.
  • Strong analytical, research, and financial skills; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

  • Provide advisory support to executive leadership and represent the Laboratory externally.
  • Lead multi-disciplinary teams, managing priorities, budgets, and staffing.
  • Recommend strategic initiatives to strengthen organizational efficiency and compliance.
  • Offer strategic guidance on rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies to Laboratory personnel.
  • Manage critical relationships with NASA and Caltech/JPL leadership and Sponsors for alignment on goals.
  • Lead the negotiation and execution of high-level agreements with various stakeholders.
  • Ensure adherence to policies and regulations, conducting rigorous documentation reviews.

Benefits

  • Variety of health, dental, and vision plans.
  • Paid time off and parental leave.
  • Flexible scheduling options.
  • Learning and professional development opportunities.
  • Rideshare and childcare support.
  • Focus on work-life balance and overall well-being.
Full Job Description
Job Details

As a Contracts Manager V within the Contracts Management, Policy and Compliance Section (2110), you will enable mission success by delivering expert contractual strategy, stewardship, and execution. Serve as the recognized authoritative subject-matter expert, accountable for highly complex, unique, and high-risk contractual matters with strategic impact impacts across the Laboratory and Caltech. This role requires deft judgment, leadership, and expertise in contracting and sophisticated coordination with executive leadership with stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to:
  • Provide advisory support to executive leadership and represent the Laboratory externally. Lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage priorities, budgets, and staffing. Recommend and implement strategic initiatives to strengthen organizational efficiency and compliance posture.
  • Be the interpretive body for contractual matters. Provide strategic guidance to Laboratory personnel and executive management on rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies. Lead Laboratory-wide teams addressing complex issues with mission or sponsor impact. Contribute to emerging contract strategies, innovations in compliance methods, and transformative process improvements.
  • Serve as the principal interface and manage critical relationships with the NASA Office of JPL Management and Oversight (NOJMO), NASA Centers, and Caltech/JPL leadership, and Sponsors to ensure alignment on institutional goals and strategies.
  • Lead the negotiation and execution of high-level agreements, including Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI), Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), and other high-level contractual instruments with the government, civil and commercial sponsors.
  • Ensure strict adherence to Caltech/JPL policies and federal regulations. Conduct rigorous reviews of documentation and maintain gold-standard contract records.


Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field with a minimum of 12 years of related experience; OR a Master's degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; OR PhD in similar discipline with a minimum 8 years of related experience.
  • Proven track record in a managerial or project leadership role, with the ability to lead change and innovation under pressure. Demonstrated leadership in forming and directing cross-organizational teams addressing crucial and complex issues.
  • Expert knowledge with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and other government and/or commercial contracting principles. Demonstrated expertise analyzing and negotiating complex contract terms and conditions.
  • Demonstrated multidisciplinary and in-depth knowledge of advanced contract principles, theories, and concepts. Applied industry best practices in contracts, personnel, and program/project management.
  • Apply executive judgment and lead with composure in a high-stakes environment with integrity and discretion.
  • Excellence in analytical and research skills, working knowledge of financial applications, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.


Desired Qualifications:
  • Previous experience working with Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)s, NASA, and/or academic institutions.
  • 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.

$162,968 - $204,568

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