Contracts Senior Manager

Senior Contracts Manager

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates is recruiting for a Senior Contracts Manager to join an aerospace and defense organization’s contracts function. This leader will be a recognized authority in the field, steering large, high-stakes initiatives that carry real strategic weight for the business. As the Senior Contracts Manager, you will build and guide a team supporting an expanding acoustic systems portfolio, shaping negotiation strategy and protecting the organization from contractual risk.

The position is based on-site in Northampton, MA. Exceptional candidates with demonstrated industry contracts expertise and proven ability to grow a team may be considered for a hybrid arrangement. The role follows a 9/80 schedule: 80 hours across nine workdays in each two-week period, with every other Friday off.

What You’ll Do

• Lead a team of contracts professionals supporting a growing acoustic systems portfolio, providing expertise, coaching, and training that move critical business goals forward.
• Own the full contract lifecycle for assigned programs. This includes RFP evaluation and risk analysis, proposal development, negotiation, administration, change management, and customer-facing contract activity.
• Architect overarching negotiation and contract-management strategies for high-complexity deals, steering every engagement toward reduced risk.
• Engineer creative answers to difficult contracting challenges, keeping each solution aligned with the organization’s strategic and operational priorities.
• Guide team members as they tackle and shape major contractual and business questions that arise during proposals and execution, across every contract type and level of complexity.
• Serve as the portfolio’s primary contracts liaison for internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Travel as business needs require.

What You Bring

Required:

• Education and experience, meeting one of these paths:
  • A Bachelor’s Degree in business or a related discipline plus at least 9 years of relevant experience
  • A Graduate Degree plus at least 7 years of relevant experience
  • Without a degree, at least 13 years of relevant experience
• A background in Defense Contracts Administration.
• 6+ years applying FAR, DFAR, ITAR, EAR, and CAS.
• Broad exposure to diverse contract types, such as CPFF, FFP, IF, and AF, spanning development, production, engineering services, and commercial and non-commercial work.
• A current, active U.S. Secret Clearance.
• Demonstrated People Management experience, with the capability to build and scale a team in Northampton, MA.
• Ability to work on-site in Northampton, MA, or to relocate there.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.

Preferred:

• Contract Negotiation of terms and conditions with both commercial and U.S. Government customers.
• Hands-on negotiation experience on FAR Part 15 programs.
• A track record as a seasoned business negotiator who exercises sound judgment and engages confidently with senior leaders and influential stakeholders, inside and outside the organization.
• Sharp Critical Thinking and Communication abilities used to influence and secure favorable outcomes.
• Strong Presentation, Team Building, and Leadership skills, with a talent for thriving in complex cross-functional settings.
• Expert-level command of FAR/DFAR Regulations.
• Mentoring and developing early-career team members.
• Skill in dissecting and interpreting the following:
  • Solicitations and RFPs
  • Statements of work
  • Government regulations
  • Technical procedures
  • Professional journals and business periodicals
• NCMA Certification (CFCM, CPCM, or CCCM), preferred but not required.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Salary: Highly Competative
• Engagement:
  • Full-time
  • On-site in Northampton, MA, with hybrid considered for outstanding candidates
  • 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off
• Benefits:
  • Full benefits package
  • Relocation assistance possible for the ideal candidate
  • Interview travel reimbursed

Joining StaffRight Associates

When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you’re doing more than pursuing a job, you’re aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.