Contracts Manager

Overview:

Excella is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to serve as a key strategic business partner and leader within the Contracts Department. This is a highly visible role owning the full contract lifecycle from proposal development through award, administration, and closeout. The candidate will be a trusted advisor to program leadership, business development, finance, and government contracting counterparts. 

The ideal candidate is self-directed, mission driven, and comfortable operating with independent judgment in a fast-paced environment. This position requires deep expertise in federal contracting (DoD and civilian), strong negotiation skills, the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable business guidance and a curiosity for emerging technologies, including the use of AI tools to improve contracting efficiency and accuracy. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Full lifecycle management of contracts from intake through negotiation, execution, administration, renewals, and closeout for a diverse portfolio of federal, DoD, civilian agency, and commercial contracts.  

• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret a broad range of agreements including customer contracts, subcontracts, NDAs, teaming agreements, and vendor agreements.  

• Lead negotiations with government Contracting Officers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and commercial clients.  

• Support growth initiatives, proposals, and other strategic initiatives.  

• Administer contracts throughout execution, including baselines, modifications, funding, deliverables, and performance obligations.  

• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, GSAR, and agency supplement clauses throughout execution and support audits 

• Manage subcontract lifecycle including negotiation, flow downs, limitation on subcontracting requirements, modifications, vendor compliance, and risk assessments; support small business subcontracting reporting and government systems (SAM.gov, eSRS, eBuy, e-GOS, Symphony, others).  

• Provide guidance and training to internal teams (Sales, Account Management, Program Management) on contractual requirements and best practices.  

• Coordinate contract closeout including final invoices, property disposition, release of claims, subcontractor closeout, documentation compliance, and archiving per retention requirements. 

Required Knowledge & Technical Expertise: 

• GSA MAS, GWAC, IDIQ contracts; Mentor-Protégé Program and Joint Ventures. 

• FAR (including recent changes), DFARS, GSAR; small business subcontracting rules and flowdowns. 

• Contract management systems: Unanet, SharePoint, and Salesforce. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Legal Studies, Supply Chain, or related field. 

• 8+ years of hands-on federal contract administration experience required.
• 3+ years of contracts management experience required.

• Strong knowledge of contract terms, negotiation principles, and risk assessment. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong analytical skills and attention to detail. 

• Proven ability to manage multiple contract portfolios across various agencies and markets; experience monitoring contract performance, funding, deliverables, invoicing, and payments. 

• Ability to manage a high volume of requests, prioritize effectively, and operate independently in a fast-paced environment. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with ISO 9001:2015; SBIR program, CSOs, OTAs, and other innovative contracting techniques. 

• CUI and cybersecurity requirements including DFARS 252.204-7012/7019/7020 

• NCMA Certification (CPCM, CFCM, CCCM)