Director, Contracts & Customer Support

Job Purpose

Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) is seeking an experienced Director, Contracts & Customer Support at our Rochester, New Hampshire location. This individual will report directly to the Vice President, Contracts, USG Compliance & Security. This individual will be responsible for overseeing a team of two contracts professionals, collectively working with them to manage all proposal and contract management duties for our joint venture business unit, our Germany based business unit, our Research & Development (R&D) center, and a new secured facility. This individual will also personally support all large dollar, strategic, new business contracting efforts across AEC.

This position requires a candidate who brings to the table the expertise to analyze, draft and negotiate strategic, long-term R&D agreements, as well as large dollar, long-term customer and partnership agreements, with a unique ability to understand and mitigate significant Intellectual Property and commercial risk factors. It also requires strong contracting experience from within a manufacturing environment, along with U.S. Defense industry experience and the ability to obtain a security clearance with the U.S. Government.

Job Responsibilities

In performing their respective tasks and duties, all employees are expected to adhere to Albany's current values: Albany Wins Together, Count on Each Other, Own Your Actions, Care About Each Other, and Share Your Enthusiasm. Safety must always come first; we never compromise on safety for the sake of achieving another objective. Employees are also responsible for the health and safety of themselves and each other.

• Ensuring that safety is first at all times, never compromise on safety for the obtainment of other objectives. Responsible for health and safety of themselves and coworkers.
• Develops positive relationships with future and current external customers
• Builds strong relationships with internal customers
• Effectively team with key business leaders to achieve the goals and objectives of the business
• Streamlines contracts-related processes and procedures, determine departmental priorities and set direction for the future of the department in support of the business
• Directly manages personnel, makes staffing selections and assignments, and supervises work produced to ensure consistent high-quality performance
• Provides training and development for personnel assigned
• Serves as contractual expert to the business area managed.
• Drives cross-functional collaboration and learning in regard to Contracts Management.
• Represents the company in contractual communications with the customer, both written and oral.
• Analyzes and leads contract activities for complex proposals for U.S. Government and commercial aerospace contracts, identifying related business risks
• Reviews cost data and other detailed information to assure that bids are fully compliant to any applicable commercial or U.S. Government requirements.
• Ensures that any exceptions to customer's requirements are clearly spelled out in all proposals.
• Assures that proposals clearly define the scope of work to be performed and are in compliance with any applicable U.S. Government or foreign laws/regulations and Albany policies.
• Coordinates proposal approvals with the appropriate management level.
• Provides follow-up support and participates with customers in proposal reviews. Assists Government/customer representatives in their fact-finding review and audit of the proposal supporting data.
• Provides guidance to management regarding proposed contract liability, terms and conditions and compatibility with established company practices.
• Leads company negotiation teams for large and complex proposals for U.S. Government and commercial aerospace contracts.
• Ensures that the contract document precisely reflects the terms of the negotiated agreement.
• Oversees administration of complex contractual activities in support of S. Government and commercial aerospace contracts.
• Issues authorizations of expenditure of funds for contracts or orders and changes thereto.
• Manages contract compliance activities throughout the life of the contract.
• Monitors funding and delivery status during term of agreement.
• Maintains contract value used in all quarterly financial reporting.
• Manages all change activity. Submits and negotiates all changes and claims with the customer.
• Initiates necessary actions to expedite customer acceptance and payment.
• Advises management of possible problems and notifies customer after coordinating with appropriate departments.
• Administers contract closure by coordinating with operating departments to assure proper disposition of Government or customer property and informs management of any potential liabilities.
• Maintains official records file as required by company policy, contract terms, FAR and other Government regulations or law.
• Drafts and negotiates various types of agreements, such as technical collaboration agreements, teaming agreements, consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, proposals, purchase orders, contracts and subcontracts.
• Coordinates effectively with Legal and other functions as required.
• Assures the Company Intellectual Property and proprietary rights in data are protected.
• Provides and/or obtains legal advice regarding contracts as required.
• Performs other associated departmental duties as assigned, including but not limited to departmental policy development, department representation on committees, recommendations for improvement and contractual presentations.

Supervisory responsibility: Yes

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing their work group including but not limited to: formal evaluations/performance management as set out by the organization, recruitment and developing team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field is required. MBA, JD and/or CPCM preferred.
• 15+ years relevant work experience including a minimum of 5 years in large dollar contract management is required.
• Defense industry experience and manufacturing experience are required. Experience with composites manufacturing is a plus.
• Interest and aptitude to manage a small team of direct reports is required. Past experience directly/indirectly managing direct or project reports is a plus.
• Ability to obtain a Security Clearance is required. Current or prior clearance is preferred.
• Experience understanding Intellectual Property and other key terms and conditions in order to analyze, draft and negotiate long term R&D and commercial agreements is required.
• Excellent leadership and teambuilding skills with solid business astuteness.
• Experience advising and communicating with senior management.
• Sound knowledge of commercial and U.S. Government contracting principles and regulations.
• Thorough understanding of complex contractual terms and conditions.
• Extensive negotiations experience.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Practiced oral and written communication skills.
• Proven capability to develop new and creative approaches in negotiating and managing contracts.
• Must be willing to travel up to 50% (domestic and international).

Working Conditions

Office environment, duties performed indoors, moderate to quiet noise and comfortable temperatures. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental condition levels. Ability to work 24/7 schedule and be available as business situations require. Some may be able to do part of their work remotely. Travel may be required up to 50%.

Physical requirements

Occasionally positions self to move an office item >10 lbs.

Frequently move about the production floor and office area to attend meetings or trainings

Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 75% of the time

Frequently operates a computer, enters data into systems, verifies information, etc...