DOD Director of Contracts

Temple University's Office of Vice President for Research is searching for a DOD Director of Contracts!

Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following:
A hybrid work schedule
Full medical, dental, vision coverage
Paid time off
11 Paid Holidays
Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
A generous retirement plan and so much more!

SALARY RANGE: $105,000 to $120,000/annual
A variety of important factors are reviewed by HR when considering salary, including job duties, the applicant's education and experience, all relevant internal equity considerations, department budget, and funding source.

Position Summary:
The Department of Defense (DoD) Director of Contracts provides strategic leadership and institutional oversight for the University's portfolio of Department of Defense-sponsored contracts, other defense-related agreements and financial assistance awards. This position is responsible for directing the administration of complex DoD contracts and grants throughout the award lifecycle, ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), agency-specific requirements, Uniform Guidance Regulations and University policies. The Director serves as the University's subject matter expert on DoD contract administration, provides leadership for a specialized contract management team, oversees high-risk contractual matters, and collaborates with University Research Administration leadership, faculty, legal counsel, finance, research security, export controls, information technology, and federal sponsors to ensure the successful execution of the University's defense research portfolio.

Required Education and Experience:
*Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Law, Research Administration, or a related field.
*Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience administering federal contracts, including significant experience with Department of Defense-sponsored research contracts.
*Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience leading professional staff in research administration, contract administration, or sponsored programs.
*Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex federal contracts governed by FAR and DFARS.
*Experience working with Department of Defense sponsors such as DARPA, ONR, AFOSR, ARO, DTRA, MDA, Space Force, Defense Health Agency, or other federal defense organizations.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:
*Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Research Administration, or a related discipline.
*Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or comparable professional certification.

Required Skills and Abilities:
*Regulatory Expertise: Demonstrated, deep subject-matter expertise in FAR and DFARS regulations.
*Leadership Skills: Proven track record of supervisory, mentorship, and organizational leadership experience.
*Communication: Exceptional negotiation and communication skills necessary for engaging senior federal sponsors and university executives.
*Strong knowledge of DoD agencies and funding mechanisms.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:
*Extensive knowledge of FAR, DFARS, Uniform Guidance (where applicable), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Federal Contract Information (FCI), export controls, research security requirements, and other federal contracting regulations.
*Experience with enterprise research administration systems, electronic proposal systems, contract management software, and ERP financial systems.
*Demonstrated success leading organizational change, developing policies and procedures, and implementing operational improvements.
*Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.

Essential duties:
*Provide strategic leadership and institutional oversight for Temple University's Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored contract and grant portfolio, ensuring effective administration throughout the proposal, award, performance, modification, and closeout lifecycle.
*Direct and oversee the administration of DoD contracts, agreements and financial assistance awards to ensure compliance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), agency-specific requirements, Uniform Guidance and university policies and procedures.
*Serve as the University's subject matter expert and institutional authority on DoD contract administration, advising Research & Innovation leadership, Principal Investigators, and administrative units on complex contractual, regulatory, and compliance matters.
*Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of DoD contract management professionals, establishing performance expectations, supporting professional development, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
*Lead the institutional review, negotiation, acceptance, and administration of complex DoD contracts, contract modifications, task orders, cooperative agreements, and other defense-related funding instruments.
*Serve as the senior escalation point for complex contractual issues involving FAR, DFARS, intellectual property, publication restrictions, security clearances, Federal Contract Information (FCI), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and other specialized defense requirements.
*Direct high-level negotiations with federal contracting officers and sponsor representatives regarding contract terms and conditions, modifications, compliance matters, performance issues, and other contractual obligations while protecting the University's legal, financial, and research interests.
*Collaborate closely with University Legal Counsel, Export Control, Research Security, Information Technology, Finance, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, Sponsored Programs Administration, and other institutional offices to ensure coordinated administration of DoD-sponsored activities.
*Oversee implementation of institutional processes supporting compliance with cybersecurity requirements, including NIST SP 800-171, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), safeguarding requirements, and other evolving federal security mandates.
*Ensure that contract administration activities support compliance with research security requirements, foreign collaboration restrictions, conflict-of-interest regulations, controlled technology requirements, and other federal sponsor expectations.
*Develop, implement, and continuously improve institutional policies, standard operating procedures, guidance documents, internal controls, and best practices governing DoD contract administration.
*Direct institutional responses to audits, monitoring activities, investigations, corrective action plans, and federal reviews involving DoD-sponsored projects, ensuring timely resolution of findings and implementation of corrective actions.
*Ensure continuous audit readiness through oversight of contract documentation, administrative records, compliance monitoring, internal controls, and risk mitigation activities across the DoD contract portfolio.
*Monitor changes to federal acquisition regulations, defense policies, executive orders, agency guidance, and emerging compliance requirements, assessing institutional impacts and implementing necessary operational changes.
*Develop and deliver training, educational programs, and outreach activities to investigators, departmental administrators, and research administration staff regarding DoD contracting requirements and compliance expectations.
*Establish and maintain productive working relationships with Department of Defense agencies, contracting officers, sponsors, federal officials, and external stakeholders to promote effective communication and successful contract administration.
*Analyze operational metrics, workload trends, compliance indicators, and performance measures to identify risks, improve operational efficiency, and support strategic planning for the University's defense research portfolio.
*Advise senior Research leadership on strategic issues affecting defense-sponsored research, institutional risk, regulatory changes, and emerging federal initiatives impacting DoD contracting.
*Participate in institutional committees, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional projects related to sponsored research administration, research security, compliance, and defense-sponsored programs.
*Protect the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive research, contractual, financial, security, export-controlled, and personnel information in accordance with applicable federal regulations and institutional policies.
*Level of Independence: Works under broad administrative direction with substantial autonomy and independent decision-making authority. Exercises extensive professional judgment in interpreting complex federal contracting requirements, negotiating contractual terms, resolving high-risk compliance issues, directing specialized contract administration staff, and advising University leadership on strategic and operational matters affecting the Department of Defense research portfolio. Serves as the University's principal authority on Department of Defense contract administration and is accountable for the integrity, compliance, and effective management of the institutional DoD contract portfolio.

*This position is assigned a hybrid work arrangement (on-campus and remote), the duration of this hybrid work arrangement is at the discretion of Temple University and the Department.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

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