Contract and Compliance Manager - Defense #0610

For 8 decades, our client has stood at the forefront of construction and agricultural equipment manufacturing — a privately held, family-run global enterprise built on a tradition of engineering ingenuity. The business runs more than 20 sites across four continents, with a footprint covering the United States, United Kingdom, India, and Brazil, and delivers a diverse catalog of more than 300 product lines spanning telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors.

Free from the demands of public shareholders, the company is accountable solely to the customers it serves. That independence fuels its commitment to advancing breakthrough technologies and producing machinery built to thrive in the harshest working conditions. People, products, and the industries served sit at the heart of the organization's purpose.

The Contract and Compliance Manager – Defense will report to the Vice President of Government & Defense and take on a pivotal leadership position within the defense contracting function. In this capacity, the individual will direct the complete contract lifecycle for sophisticated government programs, lead compliance efforts, and act as the chief point of engagement with federal agencies — making certain that all contract management activities align with corporate policies, relevant statutes and regulations, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Contract Stewardship

• Coach and develop Contract Specialists and Subcontract Specialists in FAR/DFARS principles, small business matters, and subcontract flow-down requirements.
• Take ownership of cradle-to-grave contract activities for DoD and federal engagements, covering RFP analysis, proposal support, negotiation, award, execution, modifications, and closeout.
• Step into the role of Cost Volume lead on complex RFPs by authoring cost volume narratives and engaging in proposal planning, strategy meetings, and color team evaluations.
• Construct, evaluate, and finalize subcontract agreements, NDAs, and teaming agreements that align with prime contract requirements.
• Dissect and interpret nuanced contractual requirements, FAR/DFARS clauses, Statements of Work, and terms and conditions to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Implement and govern company compliance policies and procedures tied to federal contract obligations.
• Verify organizational alignment with every applicable law, regulation, and policy, including FAR, DFARS, CAS, ITAR, and DoD-specific mandates.
• Sustain the organization's registrations with SAM, the Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), and the Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement (DD Form 2345).
• Conduct scheduled internal audits and reviews to detect compliance vulnerabilities and confirm adherence to federal benchmarks.
• Formulate and execute corrective action plans submitted to the Government; pinpoint contract risks and design mitigation approaches.
• Lend support during DCAA and DCMA audits, Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSRs), and internal compliance exercises.

Cost, Reporting & Administrative Governance

• Spearhead recurring Government contractual reporting, including Contractor Manpower Reporting, Small Business Subcontracting performance, Government Property status reports, and Federal Sub-Award Reporting System (FSRS) submissions.
• Audit and validate cost volumes, pricing data, and cost narratives for precision and regulatory compliance.
• Track contract funding levels, deliverables, and invoicing to verify consistency with contract terms.
• Coordinate with finance, program management, and pricing teams on cost proposals, forward pricing rates, incurred cost submissions, and cost impact analyses.

Cross-Functional Engagement & Liaison

• Lend contractual expertise and proposal support to advance strategic business development initiatives.
• Function as the principal liaison for contracting officers, Government representatives, and internal stakeholders.
• Offer FAR and CAS guidance and learning opportunities to employees across the wider organization.
• Communicate the meaning and impact of contractual obligations clearly to cross-functional partners spanning program management, engineering, and operations.

Learning & Development

• Operate as the principal regulatory liaison with federal agencies (DCMA/DCAA), delivering prompt responses to inquiries and audit requests.
• Build and lead recurring compliance training programs aimed at employees, officers, and consultants.

Requirements

Essential Criteria

• Ability to clear required drug screens, background checks, and pre-employment assessments.
• A bachelor's degree in a related discipline, together with 4–6 years of experience in government contract administration, procurement, or government cost accounting. Four additional years of relevant experience may stand in for the degree requirement.
• U.S. Citizenship is non-negotiable.

Desirable Background

• Practical exposure to Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF).
• Experience operating within a federal contracting and cost accounting environment across an array of contract types, including CR, ID/IQ, T&M, CPFF, CPAF, and FFP.
• DAWIA accreditation in contracting, program management, logistics, and/or CPMC.
• A strong command of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA).
• Working familiarity with SAP and Microsoft Outlook.

Capabilities & Attributes

• Composure and effectiveness in a high-pressure, fast-paced setting.
• A team-oriented disposition with the capacity to work through challenges spanning multiple business functions.
• Self-starter mindset, equally productive working independently or contributing as part of a team.
• A keen analytical aptitude, a problem-solving orientation, and meticulous attention to detail.
• The ability to read systems and non-system processes, diagnose issues, and recommend workable remedies.
• Confident proficiency across the Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

Base Salary: 175k - 200k + Bonus

• Comprehensive benefits package
• 401k
• PTO

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

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