We are Skyward.
That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.
We stand by our values, and we won't compromise on any of them.
Integrity: We're conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That's our character. Please don't ask us to play another part, we're poor actors.   Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally. Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.Unconventional: For us, life isn't what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two.   Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We're relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.
Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.
We need a Senior Contracts Manager.Do you have an eye for detail, mastery of risk management and compliance, strong negotiation skills? Are you known for your love of reading lengthy, verbose documents and for not shying away from legalese and the complexities inherent in government contracts? If so, you put us to sleep. Also, do apply.
Come join us if you're motivated to learn from others and to be part of a future-looking and growth-oriented team.
Let's go Skyward together.

What you'll do:

• Use in-depth knowledge of the FAR and DFARS to manage the government contracts process, including supporting our US Government business in contract acquisition and negotiations and assisting our team with legal, regulatory and contracts compliance.
• Support cross functional teams including Product, Engineering, Sales, Finance, and Operations, working closely with outside legal counsel as necessary.
• Provide contract management support throughout the lifecycle of a program, including contract negotiation, contract performance, internal/external audits, compliance and close-out activities.
• Utilize your experience to achieve company goals and mitigate risk.
• Focus on internal and external customer service by fully understanding program goals and risks and applying this knowledge to support balanced negotiations.
• Develop scalable and sustainable contract operations processes, programs and tools to support company growth.
• Review solicitations, proposals, contracts, contract modifications, teaming agreements, and subcontracts to assess risk and provide solutions and recommended actions.
• Assume other duties as part of a small legal team in a high growth start-up.

What we'd like you to have:

• 7-15 years of experience advising government contractors on compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including FARS, DFARS, and federal procurement statues and regulations (from a combination of law firm, government, and/or in-house experience).
• Excellent working knowledge of compliance regulations such as those found in the FAR, DFARS, and ITAR and their pertinence to contractual thresholds and mandatory flow-down requirements.
• Experience in negotiating terms, pricing, and contract requirements in proposals to obtain contract awards.
• Knowledge of contract administration, contract funding, timekeeping, representations and certifications, records retention, and reporting for the life cycle of a contract.
• Experience with subcontracts management and commercial negotiations.
• Solid "hands on" experience drafting, negotiating, and providing guidance on a wide variety of agreements; professional services contracts, and maintenance and support agreements.
• A knack for risk management. You love to develop strategies for risk mitigation as it relates to contracts.

What would blow us away:

• You have the Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) training under your belt.
• You have a constant desire to learn new technologies and business models, a vision to create new templates and streamline processes, and a willingness to make recommendations and participate in the decision-making process.
• You have previous experience doing business with regulated industries and understanding or interest in data privacy/ data security.

Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we're focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.

And now the important part. What we offer you:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
• 15 days of paid leave
• 7 days of sick leave
• 2 days bereavement leave
• 11 paid Federal holidays
• Up to 40 hours for jury duty
• 401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
• Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
• Company provided laptop
• $5,000 per year for professional development
• $600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
• $2,000 referral bonus
• Life and disability insurance
• HSA and FSA
• Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can't be exciting!

We know great work deserves great pay. That's why we ensure our compensation is not only competitive but also fair and transparent, as required by Maryland law. Expect a salary that matches your skills, experience, location, and the value you bring to the table -because you're worth it!At Skyward, we believe diverse teams are the key to innovation and success. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs. Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor. Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.  PDN-9d276a7d-4540-4dd1-96ba-59301775adc1