Director of Contracts

We are seeking a Director of Contracts to join our leadership team and drive the success of our organization. Our company primarily serves the Navy and other Department of Defense clients, offering a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a difference.

In this pivotal role, you will shape our contractual strategy, lead a talented team of Contract Managers and Project Control Analysts (PCA), and ensure compliance with federal regulations while supporting company growth and innovation. As the Director of Contracts, you will have a direct impact on our organization's performance and reputation. You will oversee all prime and subcontract activities, foster a culture of excellence, and collaborate with senior leaders and other stakeholders to optimize contract management and financial outcomes. If you are a strategic thinker with deep expertise in defense contracting, a passion for mentoring teams, and the drive to deliver results, we invite you to apply and make a lasting difference.

This is an on-site position at our Lexington Park, Maryland Headquarters.

Join a Company Where You Can Make a Real Impact - and Own a Piece of the Future

Are you energized by the idea of helping a company grow smarter, serve our customers better, and connect more deeply? Do you thrive in an environment where your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your work drives real results? If so, we'd love to meet you.

We're a mid-sized, employee-owned company on a mission to create meaningful value for both our employees and our customers. That means we're not just looking for someone to fill a seat - we're looking for someone who wants to build, innovate, and evolve with us.

Our company primarily serves the Navy and other Department of Defense clients, offering a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a difference.

Contract Management and Oversight

Direct the development, negotiation, and execution of prime contracts and subcontracts, ensuring adherence to FAR/DFARS regulations
• Oversee the administration and execution of multiple prime contracts and 45 subcontracts across various customers
• Ensure timely and accurate billing to the government for prime contracts and to prime contractors for subcontracts
• Participate in successful transition of newly awarded contracts

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor a team of Contracts Managers and Project Control Analysts, fostering a high-performance culture
• Develop and implement training programs to keep the team updated on FAR/DFARS changes and industry best practices
• Serve on the AVIAN LLC Leadership Team, representing the contracts department while closely collaborating and coordinating across all departments for the good of the company

Strategic Planning and Optimization

• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement contract strategies that align with company goals and maximize profitability
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance contract management efficiency and effectiveness

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including FAR/DFARS clauses
• Develop and maintain a robust contract compliance program to mitigate risks and protect the company's interests

Financial Management

• Lead the PCA's to ensure accurate cost allocation, billing, and financial reporting for all contracts
• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal regulations, including FAR, DFARS, and CAS
• Oversee the preparation and submission of incurred cost submissions and other required government reports
• Participate in and/or provide data to support audits by DCAA and other government agencies
• Provide guidance on contract pricing, cost allocation, and other financial aspects of government contracting

Customer and Partner Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-level contract negotiations and dispute resolutions with government agencies and prime contractors
• Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Navy personnel and subcontractors

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Contract Management, or related field; master's degree preferred; additional years' experience in lieu of a degree may be considered
• Experience using Cost Point as a primary tool for contract administration required
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in government contracting, at least 5 years in a leadership role preferred
• Due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Salary range:$140,000-$170,000 (The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.)

About being a part of Team AVIAN

As an employee-owner, you'll be a catalyst for progress - helping us find new opportunities with current or new customers, company efficiencies, streamline processes, and bring people and ideas together in smarter ways. Whether it's helping us optimize workflows, enhancing the employee experience, or delivering more impactful solutions to our customers, your inputs will have reach and relevance across the organization.

Taking care of each other is a cornerstone of our AVIAN philosophy. Being part of the AVIAN team means being part of a team that takes pride in being expansive in our community because our impact doesn't stop in the workplace. We actively engage in community initiatives, empowering our employees to make a meaningful difference.

You'll Succeed Here If You...

• See opportunities where others see routine
• Are curious, collaborative, and passionate about making things better
• Enjoy connecting dots across teams, tools, and tasks
• Believe in doing the right thing the right way - even when no one's watching
• Play an active role in our growth, using your ideas and initiative to shape how we work, serve, and succeed together
• Embrace a "one team" mindset knowing we are stronger together through trust, transparency and teamwork.
• Understand the power of ownership - and are excited to be part of an employee-owned culture

Why Join Us?

• Employee Ownership: We're not just building a company - we're building a legacy. As an employee-owner, you'll share in our success and have a direct stake in our future.
• Real Growth: We're expanding, evolving, and exploring new ways to serve. Your contributions will shape our direction and help us grow stronger.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Every improvement you help make is one that adds value - not just for us, but for the people and missions we support.
• Culture of Collaboration: We're big enough to take on meaningful challenges, but small enough that everyone still knows your name.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being, our health and wellness benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with telemedicine services and a TRICARE supplement for veterans.
• Flexible Leave Benefits: we prioritize a balanced, supportive environment that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally and offer flexible and paid time off, 11 paid holidays, paid sick leave, maternity and bonding leave, and military training leave.

AVIAN is a service-based organization. As an equal opportunity employer, our policy of business is to seek the most qualified candidate for each talent opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, religious belief, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual preference, physical or mental handicap, lawful political affiliation or veteran's status.