Director of Contracts

The Director of Contracts for the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI) will support a wide range of complex Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian agency government contracts, subcontracts, grants, and cooperative and other agreements between PARI and the U.S. Government, industry sponsors, subcontractors, and suppliers. The Director will support business development and participate in thought leadership for this newly formed entity. The Director of Contracts will collaborate with each PARI division and counterparts within Purdue University over the entire life cycle ranging from pre-award, project implementation, and post-award close-out. The Director will ensure PARI contracts and contract system align with the organization's needs, appropriately manage and allocate risk, and comply with government laws and regulations.

This position has the ability to be 100% remote, with some travel to the West Lafayette campus as business need dictates. 

The initial role will be to manage the contracting for PARI and perform duties as described below. It is planned that additional contract staff will be hired and that this position will evolve into leading a contracting team and will involve a supervisory role as PARI grows:

• Serve as PARI’s lead Contract Office
• Develop and refine U.S. government-funded contracts, subcontracts, grants, and cooperative and other agreements
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to define policies, processes, systems, procedures, and templates for use by business development, project delivery, professional and administrative staff
• Develop and provide resource tools, guidance, and training to PARI division staff and performers to enable successful performance, compliance, and risk mitigation
• Monitor and maintain PARI’s adherence to US government contract requirements, including, but not limited to, records and reporting, supply chain compliance, financial cost controls, socio-economic policies, etc.
• Lead or participate in the negotiation of prime and subcontract or subaward terms and conditions and preparation of prime and subconsultant contracts and other agreements
• Collaborate with Finance and research staff in the development of technical and cost proposals and other documentation as appropriate
• Manage Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) compliance. Review and analyze solicitations for potential risks
• Work with legal to suggest proposal strategies, including compliance and bid strategy, proposal development, and the identification, management, and mitigation of risk
• Assist project management and technical staff in meeting their obligations at contract award, during contract performance, and at contract close-out
• Collaborate with PARI division teams and finance to address or resolve contract performance or audit issues
• Monitor and stay informed on upcoming and published U.S. government regulatory and policy changes, distribute guidance on how these changes impact PARI divisions, and lead initiatives to ensure revision of policies and procedures to maintain compliance
• Contribute to enhancing or influencing U.S. government acquisition and awards procedures through engagement in relevant industry or sectoral associations, think tanks, or thought leadership
   

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline
• Ten (10) years of experience in handling a range of complex U.S. government contracts, grants, and cooperative and other agreements
• Experience working with a range of different U.S. government entities, such as the Department of Defense as well as entities funding international activities, such as the United States Agency for International Development, Department of State, or U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Demonstrated experience with FAR-based contracting
• Experience with negotiating Fee and rates
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating, negotiating, and managing relationships with Government Contracting Officers
• Experience working with corporate or foundation donors
• Experience establishing and maintaining systems, processes, procedures, and templates
• Prior experience with managing and meeting proposal delivery timelines
• Experience with a wide range of U.S. government award mechanisms such as Cost-Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Time and Materials, and IDIQs, among others as well as experience with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplements such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements (DFARS), USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)
• Understanding of Overhead Rate, Fee, and development of cost proposals
• Experience creating and maintaining contract files in accordance with U.S. government requirements
• Ability to negotiate and administer contracts or subcontracts and support post-award phases
• Contribute to pricing and bid-to-win strategies, including contributing to cost narratives of budget proposals
• Proven ability in managing multiple tasks, staying flexible in a dynamic and changing environment with competing priorities, and the ability to positively contribute to multiple leadership teams
• Ability to manage a team and perform supervisory duties
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, superior negotiation skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and the ability to become conversant in, and provide pragmatic advice on compliance with complex U.S. government regulations
• Excellent communications and facilitation skills to communicate professionally and effectively with people across departments, at all levels of the organization, and with external or international partners
• High integrity and solid attention to detail are required

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience with FAR-based contracting with a focus on DOD-funded research contracts
• Prior experience with managing and meeting proposal delivery timelines
• Advanced degree
   

• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately  
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply