Head of Contracts

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Head of Contracts to lead the company’s Contracts function and serve as the senior subject matter expert for federal contracting and acquisition matters. This director-level role will manage JMA’s federal prime contracts and subcontracts, support commercial and technology-related agreements, and advise leadership on contractual risk, acquisition strategy, and compliance. The role will work closely with the Executive Vice President and partners across Business Development, Delivery, Finance, Technology, Innovation/R&D, and outside counsel

Responsibilities:

• Federal Contracts & Subcontracts
  • Serve as JMA’s primary contracts resource for significant contractual matters involving federal customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and teaming partners.
  • Review solicitations and proposal terms and identify contractual requirements and risks before submission.
  • Draft, review, negotiate, and administer prime contracts, subcontracts, task orders, modifications, teaming agreements, NDAs, and related agreements.
  • Manage contract activities throughout the lifecycle, including award, funding, scope changes, options, amendments, disputes, and closeout.
  • Provide guidance on FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, flow-down requirements, cost and pricing requirements, and other federal contracting requirements.
  • Support audits, fact-finding, government reviews, and contract-related compliance inquiries while maintaining complete and accurate contract records.
• Acquisition Strategy & Growth
  • Partner with Business Development and leadership during the pursuit process to identify contractual, acquisition, and teaming considerations.
  • Provide guidance on acquisition approaches, contract vehicles, contract types, subcontracting structures, teaming arrangements, and other factors that may affect an opportunity.
  • Review priority opportunities for contractual and acquisition risks before proposal submission.
  • Support strategic teaming arrangements, partnerships, and negotiations.
  • Support contract-related due diligence for potential acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
• Commercial Agreements, Intellectual Property & Technology
  • Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including master services, supplier, sales, distribution, reseller, SaaS, licensing, and other technology-related agreements.
  • Develop and maintain standard contract terms, templates, negotiation positions, and escalation procedures.
  • Review agreements involving software, technology, intellectual property, and technical data rights.
  • Coordinate with outside counsel when specialized legal support is needed.
  • Support JMA’s contractual needs as its technology, product, and innovation work develops.
• Contracts Compliance & Operations
  • Lead and continue to develop JMA’s Contracts function, including policies, procedures, templates, approval practices, and contract-management processes.
  • Maintain current knowledge of FAR, DFARS, applicable agency supplements, ITAR/EAR, and other requirements relevant to JMA’s contracting environment.
  • Identify contractual and compliance risks and provide clear recommendations to leadership.
  • Establish appropriate escalation processes for contractual matters requiring executive leadership or outside legal counsel.
  • Provide leadership and internal stakeholders with clear guidance on complex contractual and acquisition matters.
  • Carry out other related duties as assigned to support evolving customer and company needs.

Clearance Level:

• Current or ability to obtain a Department of Defense (DoD) clearance.  Note: To obtain a security clearance, you must be a U.S. citizen and meet the 13 adjudicative guidelines.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in federal government contracts.
  • Experience supporting Department of Defense and/or other federal government contracting organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience with federal prime contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, and related agreements.
  • Experience working with multiple federal contract types, including FFP, T&M, cost-reimbursement, IDIQ, and task-order environments.
• Education/Certification:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Skills:
  • Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal procurement requirements.
  • Strong contract review, interpretation, drafting, and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to identify contractual and compliance risks and provide practical recommendations.
  • Ability to work independently and manage complex contractual matters with appropriate judgment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex contractual and acquisition matters clearly to business leaders and other stakeholders.
  • Ability to work effectively across Business Development, Delivery, Finance, Technology, and other areas of the business.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 or more years of federal government contracts or acquisition experience. 
• Juris Doctor (JD) or prior experience supporting government contracts in a legal capacity.
• Prior experience with a federal government contractor, federal agency, or law firm supporting government contractors.
• Prior experience as a federal Contracting Officer, acquisition professional, government contracts attorney, or senior contracts professional.
• DAWIA certification, NCMA credential, or comparable federal acquisition certification.
• Navy and/or Department of Defense contracting experience.
• Experience supporting small businesses participating in federal socioeconomic programs.
• Experience supporting contract-related due diligence, novation's, organizational conflicts of interest, or other complex federal contracting matters.
• Experience with intellectual property, technical data rights, software licensing, SaaS, or commercial technology agreements.
• Familiarity with CMMC and federal cybersecurity contractual requirements.
• Experience establishing or improving Contracts processes, systems, and procedures.

Location & Commitments:

• Position: Full Time
• Work Arrangement:
  • Hybrid – Employees who live more than 50 miles from JMA’s Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania headquarters are required to work onsite one week per month.
• Travel Requirements: May be required
• Location Preference: Prefer candidates within a 50-mile radius of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. 
• Work Hours: A typical workday consists of eight hours, totaling a forty-hour workweek. We understand that there may be times when employees will need to adjust their work hours due to client needs or personal reasons. To help balance these demands, we offer some flexibility in work schedules.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and discretionary bonuses.
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Hybrid/remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Employee recognition programs and company events.

JMA Resources is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a workforce with an environment free of discrimination and harassment. All aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training, are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, color, physical or mental disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or protected veteran status. 

At JMA Resources, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for all qualified individuals. We provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities to ensure equal access throughout the application and hiring process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation, please reach out to Amy Foy, Director of Employee Experience, at afoy@jmares.com.  

JMA Resources participates in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.