Job Description We are seeking a high-caliber Lead Program Contracts Manager to provide strategic oversight and expert guidance for a large, complex portfolio of programs.
In this role, you will not merely manage contracts; you will serve as a critical business architect, ensuring that our contractual frameworks enable mission success while protecting the company’s interests in a high-visibility, high-stakes environment.
The National Space Strategic Business Unit works with members of the intelligence and defense communities to deliver space systems that drive mission success and provide resilient mission-level solutions to meet the customer’s greatest challenges.
What You’ll Do: - Strategic Contract Leadership & Execution:
- Portfolio Oversight: Lead the end-to-end lifecycle management and complex portfolio, including Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus (CP), Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), Time & Materials (T&M), CRADA, and IDIQ contracts.
- Trusted Business Advisor: Serve as the primary contractual authority and strategic advisor to executive leadership and program managers, translating complex contractual requirements into actionable business strategies.
- Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate business and legal risks through the expert negotiation of Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) to ensure program stability and corporate compliance.
- Growth & Business Development:
- Proposal Architecture: Play a pivotal role in the capture process for new business and follow-on opportunities. Lead the development of contract strategies for proposals and change orders that maximize competitiveness and profitability.
- Relationship Management: Cultivate and sustain high-trust, professional relationships with government customers and internal stakeholders to foster long-term strategic partnerships and business growth.
- Value Optimization: Negotiate favorable business terms that enhance shareholder value while ensuring the delivery of mission-critical capabilities to the customer.
- Compliance & Governance:
- Regulatory Expertise: Apply advanced knowledge of FAR and DFARS to ensure all program activities are compliant with federal acquisition regulations.
- Audit Readiness: Establish and maintain rigorous, auditable contract files. Lead the response and coordination for internal, external, and government audit agencies (e.g., DCAA/DCMA).
- Organizational Integration: Collaborate across Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and Strategic Capabilities Units (SCUs) to align contractual strategies with broader company goals and maintain a productive, professional work environment.
- Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
- Perform other duties as necessary.
On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions: - Work is performed in an office environment, laboratory, cleanroom, or production floor.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills - Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 6 or more years related experience.
- Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
- A current, active Top Secret/SCI security clearance is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Polygraph.
- Advanced Contractual Expertise: Proven track record managing large-scale, complex government contracts within the defense or aerospace sectors.
- Regulatory Proficiency: Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS; advanced expertise in navigating these regulations within a National Security context is highly preferred.
- Negotiation Mastery: Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations with government agencies to achieve optimal business outcomes.
- Leadership Presence: Ability to communicate effectively with executive-level leadership and government officials.
#LI-JL2Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills - Experience with "Other Transaction Authority" (OTA) and non-traditional procurement paths.
- A methodical approach to risk management in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams simultaneously while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
Pay InformationFull-Time Salary Range: $101398 - $172377
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.
