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Executive Director, Contracts Operations

About Mathematica:
Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Executive Director, Contracts Operations serves as the enterprise leader responsible for developing and executing the organization's contracting strategy, governance framework, operating model, and contract risk management approach. This role is accountable for the performance, effectiveness, and continuous evolution of the contracts function and its contribution to organizational growth, operational excellence, and business performance.

As a senior leader, the Executive Director develops long-term functional strategies, establishes enterprise-wide contracting policies and governance practices, and ensures contractual decision-making appropriately balances business objectives, customer relationships, compliance obligations, financial performance, and enterprise risk. The role serves as the organization's principal authority on contract management and federal contracting matters and provides strategic guidance to executive leadership on issues that impact organizational performance and growth.

The Executive Director leads through levels of management and is responsible for building a high-performing contracts organization that delivers exceptional customer service, operational efficiency, risk management, and business partnership. This leader collaborates closely with Legal, Finance, Business Development, Capture, Program Operations, Human Resources, Technology, and Executive Leadership to develop scalable capabilities that support evolving business needs and strengthen the organization's competitive position.

The successful candidate will bring extensive executive leadership experience, deep expertise in federal acquisition and contracting practices, exceptional business judgment, strong external credibility, and a demonstrated ability to lead organizational transformation, influence strategic decisions, and deliver measurable business results.

Core Responsibilities:

Strategic Contract Leadership, Governance, and Risk Management

·    Develop and execute the organization's long-term contracting strategy, governance model, and operating framework in alignment with business unit and enterprise objectives.

·    Establish enterprise-wide contracting policies, procedures, controls, and governance practices that support organizational growth while ensuring effective management of contractual, regulatory, financial, and operational risk.

·    Serve as the organization's senior advisor on complex contractual matters involving federal, state and local government, commercial, nonprofit, and subcontracting relationships.

·    Evaluate highly complex, novel, and ambiguous contractual issues and provide strategic recommendations that balance business opportunities, customer relationships, compliance obligations, operational realities, financial performance, and enterprise risk.

·    Establish and oversee enterprise risk assessment methodologies that evaluate contractual issues based on probability, severity, financial exposure, compliance implications, operational impact, and reputational considerations.

·    Lead resolution of significant contractual disputes, customer escalations, performance challenges, and business-critical contractual matters.

·    Anticipate emerging regulatory, acquisition, and market trends and proactively evolve contracting strategies, capabilities, and governance practices to position the organization for future success.

Federal Contracting and Industry Thought Leadership

·    Serve as an enterprise thought leader on federal acquisition regulations, contracting practices, and emerging procurement trends.

·    Maintain deep expertise in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplements, executive actions, procurement modernization initiatives, and acquisition reform efforts.

·    Assess the strategic implications of regulatory and policy changes and advise executive leadership on risks, opportunities, and business impacts.

·    Translate complex regulatory requirements into practical business guidance, operational processes, and organizational capabilities.

·    Influence organizational strategy through expert analysis of government contracting developments, competitive trends, and acquisition opportunities.

·    Promote organizational awareness of evolving contracting requirements and best practices through leadership, education, and stakeholder engagement.

Customer and External Stakeholder Leadership

·    Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with contracting officers, acquisition leaders, procurement officials, industry partners, and other key stakeholders.

·    Represent the organization in high-impact negotiations, strategic customer engagements, industry forums, and complex contractual matters where outcomes have significant business, financial, operational, or reputational implications.

·    Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to government customers and external stakeholders.

·    Partner with Business Development, Capture, and Program Leadership to strengthen customer relationships, support strategic pursuits, and enhance competitive positioning.

·    Provide executive-level contracting expertise during proposal development, contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, and customer engagements.

Contracts Operations and Transformation

•    Develop and execute a multi-year vision for contract operations that advances organizational effectiveness, scalability, responsiveness, and business performance.

•    Lead all aspects of contract lifecycle management, including proposal support, contract formation, review, negotiation, administration, modification, compliance monitoring, performance oversight, and closeout.

•    Implement and optimize artificial intelligence, automation, and technology solutions that improve quality, efficiency, consistency, and customer service.

•    Design and implement scalable operational models that support federal, state and local government, commercial, nonprofit, and subcontracting activities.

•    Establish enterprise performance standards, workflows, controls, and service models that improve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

•    Lead transformation initiatives that strengthen organizational agility, reduce cycle times, improve quality, and increase contracting effectiveness.

•    Oversee evaluation, implementation, and optimization of contract lifecycle management systems, technologies, and tools.

Data Governance, Analytics, and Business Intelligence

•    Establish enterprise contract data governance standards, reporting frameworks, and information management practices.

•    Develop contract intelligence capabilities that provide actionable insights into portfolio performance, contractual risk exposure, workload trends, compliance indicators, customer needs, and operational effectiveness.

•    Utilize data and analytics to support strategic planning, resource allocation, investment decisions, forecasting, and risk management.

•    Partner with technology and business leaders to improve the quality, accessibility, and strategic value of contract-related information.

•    Deliver executive-level reporting and insights that support informed decision-making and organizational performance.

Strategic Business Leadership

•    Contribute to the development and execution of business unit and enterprise strategies by providing expert guidance on contractual, regulatory, operational, and market considerations.

•    Evaluate strategic business opportunities, investments, partnerships, and pursuits to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and risk tolerance.

•    Collaborate with executive leadership to identify critical business challenges and develop innovative solutions that strengthen organizational performance and competitive differentiation.

•    Ensure the contracts function serves as a strategic business partner that accelerates growth, improves operational outcomes, and enhances customer value.

People Leadership and Organizational Development

•    Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing contracts organization through multiple levels of management.

•    Establish leadership expectations, accountability frameworks, and measurable performance standards that drive excellence and continuous improvement.

•    Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, innovation, customer focus, and operational discipline.

•    Develop organizational capabilities in federal contracting, contract review, negotiation, risk management, customer engagement, data-driven decision-making, and business partnership.

•    Align organizational structure, workforce planning, and talent strategies with current and future business needs.

•    Develop succession plans and leadership pipelines that strengthen long-term organizational capability and readiness.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Government Contracting, Acquisition, Finance, Law, or a related field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in federal contracting, subcontracting, acquisition, procurement, contract management, or related disciplines, including substantial leadership experience leading contract operations, governance, risk management, and contracting organizations.
• Minimum 8 years of leadership experience managing contract operations, governance, risk management, contracting organizations, or related business functions through multiple levels of management.
• A combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
• Deep expertise in the FAR, agency supplements, federal contracting requirements, and industry best practices.
  Demonstrated experience developing and executing enterprise contracting strategies and leading complex contract operations.
• Advanced contract review, negotiation, and risk management experience across federal, state and local government, commercial, nonprofit, prime contractor, and subcontractor environments.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational transformation, operational improvement, and enterprise change initiatives.
• Experience implementing and leveraging AI-enabled and technology-driven solutions to improve contracting effectiveness and operational performance.
• Strong executive presence, business acumen, stakeholder management, negotiation skills, and analytical capabilities.
• CPCM, CFCM, FAC-C, NCMA certifications, or other relevant professional credentials.
• Experience supporting federal, state and local government, commercial, and nonprofit sectors.
• Experience implementing or optimizing contract lifecycle management systems and contract intelligence platforms.
• Experience supporting growth-oriented organizations through business development, capture, and strategic growth initiatives.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $215,000 - $245,000. This position is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance. A cover letter and resume must be submitted at the time of application via our online application system. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis in the order that applications are received.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you’re not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it’s an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in/complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high quality work.