Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager provides leadership and oversight for contract review, negotiation, administration, and process improvement in support of SEI’s research and operational portfolio. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Contracting & Procurement, this role leads the Contracts Team and supports effective agreement management across a broad range of federal and non-federal activities in a federally funded research environment.
 

This position combines people leadership, contracting expertise, and operational management. The Contracts Manager is responsible for supporting timely and compliant agreement execution, advising internal stakeholders on contractual matters, strengthening team capability, and improving the consistency and transparency of contracting operations.
 

Key Responsibilities:
 

1. Contract Review, Negotiation, and Administration

• Lead the review, negotiation, execution, modification, administration, and closeout of a broad range of agreements.
• Ensure agreements are processed accurately, timely, and in accordance with applicable regulations, institutional requirements, and sponsor expectations.
• Oversee modifications, supplements, no-cost extensions, and other changes to active federal and non-federal agreements.
• Support a broad portfolio of agreement types, including government contracts and project work plans, subcontracts, non-disclosure agreements, license agreements, collaborative agreements, service agreements, vendor agreements, and other agreements as required.
   

2. Team Leadership and Staff Development

• Lead and support the day-to-day work of the Contracts Team, including workload management, coaching, and performance support.
• Assist with professional development planning and help build team capability through cross-training, knowledge sharing, and clear expectations for quality, responsiveness, and stakeholder support.
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team environment.
   

3. Stakeholder Support and Contract Guidance

• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal stakeholders on contractual matters and advise business managers, technical leads, and leadership on agreement requirements, risks, and sponsor-related communications.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders as needed to support effective contractual processes.
• Serve as an interface with government contracting representatives, including Procuring and Administrative Contracting Officers.
   

4. Compliance, Risk, and Audit Readiness

• Ensure contract files and related documentation practices are compliant with applicable regulations and institutional requirements, while maintaining right-sized documentation without unnecessary duplication.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, applicable agency supplements, government cost principles, and university contracting policies.
• Assess contracting practices and documentation workflows to identify control gaps, strengthen audit readiness, and recommend improvements in coordination with leadership.
• Evaluate and communicate contractual risk tradeoffs clearly to leadership, recommending balanced solutions that protect SEI and Carnegie Mellon University while enabling mission success.
   

5. Process Improvement and Operational Support

• Develop and update agreement templates, procedures, and guidance materials as needed to support effective and consistent contract administration.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reduce ambiguity, and strengthen the consistency and transparency of contracting practices.
• Prepare reports, conduct studies, gather data, respond to inquiries, and attend meetings or conferences at the request of higher-level management, including the Director’s Office.
• Serve as backup for the Sr. Director of Contracting & Procurement, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
   

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in contract administration, government contracting, sponsored programs, research contract administration, or related agreement management.
• Strong working knowledge of federal contracting requirements, including FAR and DFARS.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing, negotiating, administering, and modifying complex agreements.
• Demonstrated experience leading staff, managing workflow, and supporting team development in a professional environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and sound judgment.
• You will be subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a research, nonprofit, higher education, government, FFRDC, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience supporting audit readiness, internal controls, and process improvement.
• Professional certification such as CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, or equivalent.
   

Personal Attributes:

• Strong attention to detail, judgment, integrity, and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and administrative teams.
• Ability to balance day-to-day execution with process improvement and staff development.
• Adaptability and resilience in a mission-driven, compliance-oriented environment.

 

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Legal

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information: 

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. 

• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. 

• Statement of Assurance