Senior Contracts & Grants Specialist

AIR’s Contracts & Grants team seeks a Senior Contract & Grants Specialist. This position will provide end-to-end contract administration support for the entire portfolio of our Contracts, Grants and Cooperative Agreements. This position will ensure execution of Agreements in accordance with AIR policies, legal requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and other Government and Client provisions. This highly visible position serves as an Institute-wide internal advisor and “clearinghouse” to management and staff for Federal and State & Local Government and commercial RFPs, proposals, contracts, and prime/sub- contracting issues. This person will stay informed of Institute-wide research activities, industry trends, contract issues, and customer relationships to provide insight and advice that protects and advances AIR’s success. This person will be part of a dynamic organization with an opportunity to influence and define your role as we grow.

• Develop, implement, and evolve processes and structures to ensure effective and compliant business systems and operations.
• Respond in an informed and timely fashion to questions and requests for assistance, demonstrating an appropriate sense of urgency when answering internal and external customer requests.
• Prepare and negotiate contracts, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, consulting agreements, task orders, and purchase orders, etc., in accordance with Institute policies and statutory/regulatory requirements.
• Ensure language and process uniformity that limits exposure to unintended risk.
• Manage, coordinate, monitor, and track Data & Publication Rights and other Intellectual Property issues.
• Develop good business relationships with senior contract officials of major customers in coordination with priorities of internal leadership.
• Provide contract administration leadership, working with internal and external customers to meet shifting requirements and ensure AIR compliance and customer satisfaction.
• Review cost narratives and pricing approach in accordance with the proposal/pricing volume instructions to advise on compliance with AIR systems/processes, technical approaches, and profit objectives.
• Assure quality and timeliness of work product and satisfaction of all internal and external customer contract and grant requirements.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as Institutional needs and external markets evolve.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Substantial knowledge of federal and client contracting regulations and policies.
• Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of progressively complex and relevant contracts and grants experience; demonstrated capability considered.

Skills:

• Strong project management and organizational skills. Thinks strategically but stays on top of tactical execution.
• Proficient in using standard MS Office programs.
• Effective and persuasive communicator continually demonstrating sensitivity to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Accurate judgment to know when to take the lead, when to involve others, and how to set priorities.
• Highly motivated with good organizational, mathematical, analytical, and reasoning skills and ability to multi-task
• Demonstrated analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently, and collaborate as a member of team, while prioritizing multiple objectives and projects to consistently meet established timelines.
• Ability to identify, present and drive complex business concepts and findings to broader teams and staff of all levels and customers.
• Possess requisite experience, judgment, and senior presence to productively interact with internal and external customers to identify and resolve risk and performance issues.

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.