Principal Contracts Advisor

The Principal Contracts Advisor is responsible for the administration, negotiation, compliance, and management of U.S. Government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle. This position provides contractual guidance to business operations, program management, procurement, finance, and executive leadership while ensuring compliance with applicable federal regulations, customer requirements, contract terms and MRIGlobal policies.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, this role serves as primary contact for contracting officers and other customer representatives and advises senior leaders on complex or sensitive contract matters. This role operates with substantial independence in supporting U.S. government-funded research contracts, complex proposals, negotiations, and ensuring compliance with contract terms, applicable laws, and MRIGlobal policies.

• Proposal Development: Advise on acquisition planning activities, including requirements review, contract type selection, and procurement strategy development. Lead or support contractual review of customer solicitations, proposal development, RFPs, RFIs, contracts, modifications, and other contractual documents.
• Contract Administration and Compliance: Manage contracts throughout the full lifecycle, including negotiations, award, performance monitoring, modifications, issue resolution, and closeout. Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, customer requirements, contract terms, and company policies. Review contract terms and conditions and coordinate appropriate flow down to procurement.
• Risk Mitigation and Advisory Support: Identify contractual risks and recommend strategies to mitigate business, financial, compliance, and performance impacts. Serve as a contractual advisor to program management, procurement, finance, and leadership while maintaining productive relationships with customers and contracting representatives.
• Operational Improvement: Lead or support projects tied to corporate initiatives and Contracts & Pricing priorities. Recommend and implement corrective actions in response to audit findings or process gaps.
• Mentoring and Collaboration: Mentors Contracts staff in proposal support, contract administration, negotiation, and risk management. Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and government customer representatives.
• Records Management: Maintain accurate and audit-ready contract records and support audits, regulatory reviews, compliance assessments, and other government oversight activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Finance, Economics, Legal Studies, Public Administration, or related discipline. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Plus, a minimum of 10 years of experience administering and managing U.S. Government prime contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle.
• Experience supporting U.S. government contracts for, DoD, HHS/NIH, GSA, and/or other government or civilian agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and other federal agency supplemental regulations.
• Experience administering various contract types, including firm-fixed-price, Cost-Reimbursement, CPFF, CPAF, time-and-materials, and IDIQ contracts.
• Demonstrated experience supporting acquisition planning, solicitation review, proposal strategy, contract negotiations, administration, and closeout activities.
• Proven ability to negotiate contractual terms and conditions, modifications, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements and prime/subcontractor relationship terms.
• Experience identifying contractual risks and providing recommendations to mitigate legal, financial, and performance-related risks.
• Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews, and government oversight activities, including DCAA, DCMA, and other regulatory agencies.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to effectively interact with customers, contracting officers, program management, and executive leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and the ability to learn business systems.
• Ability to travel locally and within the continental United States as needed.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

• Advanced degrees, such as JD or MBA, or related graduate degree.
• Experience in a nonprofit research institute, federally funded research and development center, contract research organization, or government contractor environment.
• Experience with biomedical, national security, defense, health, or scientific research contracts.
• Experience with Deltek/Costpoint or similar business systems.
• Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), or other relevant contract management certifications.
• Experience leading or mentoring contract professionals and serving as a strategic advisor to program and business leadership.