Associate Director, Contracts

Department: Fiscal Services

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Purchasing and Accounts Payable Department at George Mason University plays a vital role in supporting the university's mission by ensuring efficient and accurate management of financial transactions. As a key subset of the Fiscal Services Department, the Purchasing and Accounts Payable team is responsible for overseeing the complete procure-to-pay and strategic sourcing cycle, to include the procurement of goods and services, contract negotiation, processing invoices, and ensuring timely payments to vendors. Our department is dedicated to best practices in procurement, maintaining compliance with all local, state, federal, and university policies, providing excellent customer service, and fostering transparency and accountability in all financial operations. We are committed to supporting the university community by delivering streamlined and effective purchasing and payment solutions that align with the institution's goals and values.

About the Position:

The Associate Director of Contracts is crucial for ensuring compliance, efficiency, and legal integrity within the University's purchasing and procurement processes. Given the complexities of public procurement in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the increasingly sophisticated nature of contracts associated with higher education institutions, this position significantly enhances our ability to navigate legal, regulatory, and policy requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the full lifecycle of contract management, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and executing contracts;
• Ensures contractual agreements align with the university’s strategic objectives while mitigating risks and ensuring compliance with state, federal, and institutional regulations; 
• Establishes a robust contract review framework to assess risk, legal exposure, and adherence to financial policies showing expertise with most or all of the following contract types: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP, Fixed-Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FP-EPA), Fixed-Price Incentive Fee (FPIF, Fixed-Price Level of Effort (FP-LOE), Time and Materials (T&M), Labor-Hour (LH), Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ), Definite-Quantity Contract, Requirements Contract, Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), Award-Fee Contracts, Share-in-Savings (SIS) Contracts, Letter Contracts, Basic Ordering Agreements (BOA), Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), Public-Private Partnership (P3) Agreements, Grants and Cooperative Agreements, Other Transaction Agreements (OTA);
• Serves as the Purchasing Department’s subject matter expert on contracts, providing complex analysis, interpretation, and risk assessments; Advises internal stakeholders on contract terms, regulatory requirements, and legal best practices to safeguard the university’s interests; 
• Analyzes a wide variety of complex contracts to purchase goods and services, including clauses, stipulations, obligations and liabilities for compliance to university standards, policies, rules and business requirements and recommends appropriate modifications with sufficient rationale;
• Collaborates with procurement, legal, finance, and academic units to align contract terms with university goals and compliance obligations;
• Work closely with external vendors, government agencies, and partner institutions to negotiate favorable contract terms;
• Develops and implements contract policies, templates, and process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance;
• Maintains a centralized contract repository and oversee contract monitoring, reporting, and enforcement;
• Provides training and guidance to university personnel regarding contract management best practices, grant procurement compliance, and risk mitigation strategies;
• Serves as the Purchasing Department’s lead expert on IT-related contracts, with extensive experience navigating IT terms and conditions, software licensing agreements, cybersecurity provisions, and cloud service contracts;
• Works closely with IT procurement teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and institutional policies while negotiating optimal contract terms with software vendors and technology service providers; and
• Ensures that all agreements adhere to applicable appropriate guidelines and grant compliance regulations, particularly for federally funded contracts or contracts that must meet Uniform Guidance and FAR requirements. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school or an equivalent combination of education and experience in contract law and procurement;
• Strong legal acumen with experience interpreting and applying state and federal procurement laws;
• Previous experience drafting, editing, and analyzing documents within electronic contract management systems;
• Extensive experience managing complex contracts and procurement processes;
• Experience interpreting and ensuring compliance with procurement and contract laws;
• Experience negotiating agreements in a public-sector, higher education, or government environment;
• Experience in federal contract and grant compliance, including knowledge of contract clauses related to funding restrictions, allowable costs, and procurement under federal grants;
• Experience leading IT contract negotiations, including navigating complex software agreements and cybersecurity risk management;
• Extensive knowledge of contract law, procurement regulations, and risk management principles;
• Knowledge of federal contracting requirements, including compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and other applicable federal grant and contract policies;
• High-level proficiency in contract lifecycle management systems and e-procurement platforms;
• Expertise in IT contract negotiation, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, cybersecurity compliance, and intellectual property considerations;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess legal risks and develop strategic solutions;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance for university stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to draft, analyze, and negotiate complex contracts, including those involving public procurement, IT services, and facilities; and
• Membership in a state bar association (Virginia preferred) or demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and procurement law in a higher education setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Previously admitted to the bar in the United States, preferably in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Extensive knowledge of contract law, procurement regulations, and risk management principles in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Extensive knowledge of federal contracting requirements, including compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and other applicable federal grant and contract policies;
• Extensive expertise in IT contract negotiation, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, cybersecurity compliance, and intellectual property considerations; and
• Extensively demonstrated ability to draft, analyze, and negotiate complex contracts, including those involving public procurement, IT services, and facilities.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Associate Director, Contracts at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: April 22, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 16, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes