Director - Contracts Management

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

This role is part of Blue Origin corporate functions, providing centralized support across Blue Origin business unit teams, functions, and locations.

We are seeking an exceptionally experienced and mission-driven Director of Contracts Management to lead our enterprise-wide customer contracting function. This is a senior leadership role, with direct responsibility for managing complex government and commercial contracts and leading a large, high-performing team of contract professionals across multiple programs and business units.

Position Summary

The Director of Contracts Management serves as the senior-most contracts executive responsible for the full lifecycle management of Blue Origin's customer contract portfolio. This position reports to the Sr. Director of IP and Contracts, in the Legal and Compliance Group.

The Director of Contracts Management will oversee all aspects of proposal development, contract negotiation, administration, compliance, and closeout — with particular emphasis on contracts held with agencies of the U.S. federal government, including NASA, DoD, Space Force, and other defense and civil space customers. 

This individual will provide strategic direction, expert guidance, and hands-on leadership to a large team of contract managers and will serve as a key business partner to Program Management, Legal, Finance, Business Development, and Executive Leadership. This individual will thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment, and will maintain a focus to simplify (not complicate) contracting process and to deliver results. 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Management

• Lead, develop, mentor, and manage a large team of contract managers, senior contract managers, and contract administrators across multiple programs, sites, and business units
• Establish and continuously improve the organizational structure, processes, tools (including a CLM software), staffing models, and performance standards for the contracts function
• Define and execute the long-term strategy for customer contracts management aligned to Blue Origin's growth objectives and mission priorities
• Build a culture of accountability, professional development, and mission focus within the contracts organization

Government Contracting Expertise & Compliance

• Support matters related to U.S. government contracting regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), and other applicable agency supplements
• Support other Legal colleagues to ensure company-wide compliance with government contracting obligations, including cost accounting standards, and Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA/TINA successor provisions)
• Direct the review, interpretation, negotiation, and administration of Cost-Plus, Fixed-Price, Time & Materials, IDIQ, OTA (Other Transaction Authority), and hybrid contract types
• Oversee the preparation and submission of certified cost or pricing data, complex proposals, and technical/business volume inputs for major government procurements
• Lead contractual responses to government audits and claims
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to government customers, including all deliverables, data rights notices, and regulatory certifications

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Law, Contract Management, Finance, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Experience: Minimum 15 years of progressive contracts experience, including at least 10 years experience in leading a large team of contract managers (10+ professionals) within a major aerospace, defense, or government contracting organization
• Security Clearance: Active (or immediately activable) Top Secret / SCI clearance required; must be willing and able to obtain and maintain SCI access and other program-specific clearances as required
• Demonstrated expert-level knowledge of the FAR, DFARS, and other agency acquisition regulations
• Extensive experience negotiating and administering complex government contracts across multiple contract types (CPFF, CPAF, FFP, T&M, IDIQ, OTA, etc.)
• Proven track record of leading contracts organizations in support of large-scale, multi-program government programs in excess of $500M in annual contract value
• Deep experience managing certified cost or pricing data requirements and interactions with DCAA and DCMA
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present complex contractual matters to executive and government audiences
• Strong leadership presence with a demonstrated ability to build, grow, and inspire high-performing teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master’s degree in Contract Management, Business, or related discipline
• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) or Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting (FAC-C) at the Expert/Level III level

Security Clearance Notice:

This position requires an active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and consent to a comprehensive background investigation. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon maintenance of required clearance and access levels. Certain program assignments may require additional polygraph examination or special access program (SAP) eligibility.

 

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $218,262.00 - $305,566.80

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)

• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.