Manager, Subcontracts

Ursa Major
Berthoud, CO

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have 8+ years of experience managing complex aerospace or defense subcontracts.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years of experience in aerospace or defense subcontract management and proven negotiation skills
    — “8+ years of progressive experience in subcontract administration, contract management, or government procurement, preferably within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.”
  • Individuals who have independently managed complex subcontracts from solicitation through closeout
    — “Demonstrated experience independently managing complex subcontracts from solicitation through closeout.”
  • Professionals with expertise in FAR, FAR supplements, and subcontract flowdown requirements
    — “Strong working knowledge of FAR, FAR supplements, and subcontract flowdown applicability.”

Things to consider

  • The role requires managing subcontract performance with attention to deliverables and milestones
    — “Proactively manage subcontract performance, including deliverables, milestones, schedules, funding, changes, and contractual obligations.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with subcontract lifecycle management and risk mitigation in your resume and interview responses
    — “Independently manage the entire subcontracting lifecycle, including proposal evaluation, negotiations, award, administration, modifications, and closeout.”
  • Demonstrate your ability to interpret and apply FAR and commercial contract requirements
    — “Interpret and apply applicable FAR, FAR supplement, and other commercial terms requirements to subcontracting activities.”
  • Showcase your track record of developing and negotiating fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts
    — “Develop and negotiate subcontract agreements, including fixed-price, time-and-materials, and cost-reimbursement arrangements, as applicable.”
  • Emphasize your experience in managing supplier exceptions or modifications to flowdowns
    — “Review and negotiate supplier exceptions or proposed modifications to contractual flowdowns.”
  • Demonstrate your ability to build scalable subcontract management practices and lead teams
    — “Develop and implement scalable subcontract management practices that support the organization's continued growth. Grow and manage the subcontracts team.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Manage subcontract lifecycle
  • Develop and implement subcontract management practices
Typical background
8+ years of experience in subcontract administrationBachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Skills & requirements

Required

Subcontract ManagementFARContract NegotiationSubcontract DocumentationRisk ManagementAudit Support

Preferred

Team Management

Stack & domain

Federal Acquisition Regulation (far)Subcontract AdministrationContract ManagementGovernment ProcurementAerospaceDefenseAdvanced ManufacturingProblem-solvingRisk ManagementTeam CollaborationCommunicationAerospace And Defense

About the role

Original posting from Ursa Major

The future of aerospace and defense starts here. 

Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands. 

As the Manager, Subcontracts reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement, you will serve as a strategic partner to Engineering, Compliance, Program Management, Finance, and Legal, ensuring subcontracts are effectively structured, negotiated, executed, and managed to support program objectives while minimizing contractual, financial, and operational risk. You will do this in compliance with Procurement and Ursa Major standards, strategies, and initiatives.  

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), FAR Supplement, and commercial terms and conditions. This role requires independent navigation of complex subcontracting activities, exercising sound business judgement, identifying potential risks, and developing solutions in a fast-paced, evolving environment.   

Job Responsibilities: 

Independently manage the entire subcontracting lifecycle, including proposal evaluation, negotiations, award, administration, modifications, and closeout.  

Lead the preparation, issuance, and evaluation of Requests for Information (RFIs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). 

Develop and negotiate subcontract agreements, including fixed-price, time-and-materials, and cost-reimbursement arrangements, as applicable. 

Establish and maintain subcontract documentation, ensuring contractual requirements, approvals, and records are accurate and compliant. 

Proactively manage subcontract performance, including deliverables, milestones, schedules, funding, changes, and contractual obligations. 

Identify and resolve subcontract-related issues, disputes, and performance concerns with minimal supervision. 

Develop negotiation strategies that balance business objectives, supplier relationships, regulatory compliance, and risk exposure. 

Interpret and apply applicable FAR, FAR supplement, and other commercial terms requirements to subcontracting activities. 

Review and negotiate supplier exceptions or proposed modifications to contractual flowdowns. 

Support internal and external audits, government reviews, and purchasing system compliance initiatives. 

Ensure SOWs contain technical requirements, scope, deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, responsibilities, and performance expectations. 

Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned subcontractual matters, providing guidance and recommendations to internal stakeholders. 

Develop and implement scalable subcontract management practices that support the organization's continued growth. 

Grow and manage the subcontracts team.  

 Required Qualifications 

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Contracts Management, Finance, a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. 

8+ years of progressive experience in subcontract administration, contract management, or government procurement, preferably within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing. 

Demonstrated experience independently managing complex subcontracts from solicitation through closeout. 

Strong working knowledge of FAR, FAR supplements, and subcontract flowdown applicability. 

Proven ability to review complex contractual terms and conditions and assist internal requestors with Statements of Work. 

Strong understanding of contract types, pricing structures, and associated risk considerations. 

Demonstrated ability to identify contractual risks and develop practical mitigation strategies. 

Excellent negotiation, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills. 

Ability to manage competing priorities, make informed decisions, and execute independently in a fast-paced environment. 

Strong attention to detail with the ability to understand both contractual requirements and broader business objectives. 

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs. 

Experience with Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements, and contractor purchasing system compliance. 

Familiarity with Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), ITAR, export controls, and applicable government subcontracting requirements. 

Experience negotiating intellectual property rights, technical data rights, and complex aerospace or defense supplier agreements. 

Experience supporting development, prototype, new product introduction (NPI), and production environments. 

Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and contract management tools. 

Experience developing subcontract templates, procedures, negotiation playbooks, or compliance frameworks. 

Professional certifications such as CPCM, CFCM, or NCMA-related credentials. 

Experience with FARSITE and/or Ironclad  

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $152,080 - $190,100, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. 

Classification: Full-time Exempt

Benefits Include: (Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits)

Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement

Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)

Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D

Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport

EAP Program

Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match

How To Apply: 

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.

NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.

Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents).

Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. 

We’re an equal-opportunity employer. You will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

No outside recruiters, please.

Source: Ursa Major careers

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