Contracts Operations Manager

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 teams 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.

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 teams 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.

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 teams 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 Axles expansion into commercial contracting
• Evaluate and implement contract management systems and tools training the team on adoption

• Bachelors 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

• 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)

• 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.