Contracts Operations Manager
Summary
We are seeking a Contracts Operations Manager to lead and oversee a team responsible for contract administration across government and commercial engagements. Success will be indicated by the team's work consistently getting done on time, in compliance, and coordinated with every function that touches a contract. The ideal candidate ensures accountability within the team while working closely with Business Development, Program Management, Finance, and Legal so nothing falls through the cracks between functions.
Role Overview
The Contracts Operations Manager will manage a team executing day-to-day contract administration — from post-award through closeout while building the operational structure, tools, and processes that let that work scale as Axle expands. This role oversees the team's output and priorities, escalates and resolves issues that cross functional lines, and is accountable for the team consistently delivering even as priorities shift. This role requires an in-person presence in our Rockville, MD office.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Oversight
- Oversee day-to-day execution of contract administration work to ensure deliverables, deadlines, and compliance requirements are consistently met
- Set team KPIs, conduct performance reviews and coaching, and support hiring, training, and succession planning
- Serve as the escalation point for complex contract issues, stepping in hands-on when needed while keeping the team accountable for their own work
Cross-Functional Contract Operations
- Coordinate with various Business Units to ensure contract requirements are understood, tracked, and executed across teams
- Act as the operational link between Contracts leadership and other functions, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks between proposal, award, and execution
- Track contract status, deliverables, and risk across the portfolio, surfacing issues to leadership and cross-functional partners before they become problems
Compliance & Process Support
- Ensure the team's work complies with FAR, DFARS, and applicable commercial contract terms
- Oversee subcontracting plan compliance, SAM reporting, and other recurring compliance obligations
- Maintain and enforce standard operating procedures for contract administration across the team
Systems, Automation & Continuous Improvement
- Identify manual, repetitive, or inconsistent contracts processes and implement automation and digitalization to improve accuracy and scale
- Build and refine operational infrastructure to support Axle's expansion into commercial contracting
- Evaluate and implement contract management systems and tools, training the team on adoption
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Contract Management, or related field
- 5+ years of contracts administration or contracts operations experience, including Government contracting
- At least 2-3 years directly managing or supervising a team
- Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and related supplements
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate across functions (Business Development, Program Management, Finance, Legal) to drive contract execution
- Proven track record of implementing automation or new systems to improve team operations
- Comfortable overseeing team output while remaining hands-on on complex or escalated items
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting or transitioning into commercial contracting alongside Government work
- Exposure to GSA Schedules, IDIQs, or other Government contract vehicles
- Experience with contract management systems (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, GovWin)
What Success Looks Like
- The contracts team consistently meets deadlines and compliance requirements without last-minute scrambles
- Cross-functional partners view Contracts as a reliable, coordinated partner rather than a bottleneck
- Contract processes are increasingly standardized, automated, and scalable
- The team is well-managed, developing, and equipped to handle shifting priorities
Ready to help build the operational backbone of a growing contracts function? Apply now to join a collaborative, mission-driven team that values growth, accountability, and innovation.