Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist

Overview:

Work for a first-class institution that is innovative, multi-dimensional, and dynamic by joining AIR as a Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist.

We hire talented and forward-thinking professionals to build our cross-functional teams and support our clients in solving complex problems. Our people—problem-solvers, changemakers, and creative thinkers—are experts in their craft who rise to meet today’s challenges.

The Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist will play an integral role in delivering on some of the most meaningful projects in communities across the United States and the world. You’ll collaborate with our teams of motivated and passionate visionaries, where your input will be valued and your contributions vital to our success.

We value the experiences of every member of our institution, from entry level to executive. As part of our collaborative, learning-oriented team, you’ll be encouraged to grow in your career, develop additional skills, and progress professionally.

AIR’s Contracts & Grants team seeks a Senior Contract & Grants Specialist to support its international grants and contracts portfolio. This position reports to the Senior Director of Contracts and Grants. This position will provide full cycle contract administration inclusive of pre-award (proposals), post-award and related compliance matters. This position will ensure execution of Agreements in accordance with AIR policies, legal requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and other agreements with domestic and international funders. The Senior Contracts & Grants Specialist will serve as an institute-wide internal technical advisor and “clearinghouse” to management and staff for U.S. Federal and  International Government, and commercial solicitations, proposals, awards, and prime/sub- contracting issues. This person will be part of a dynamic organization with an opportunity to influence and define your role as we grow.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations.This does not include U.S. territories. 

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.

Essential job functions include but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership in administering a diverse post award contracts and grants portfolio, working with internal and external customers to meet shifting requirements and ensure customer satisfaction and quality and timeliness of work product.
• Respond in an informed and timely fashion to questions and requests for assistance, demonstrating appropriate sense of urgency when responding to internal and external customer requests.
• Prepare and negotiate various contractual instruments including but not limited to contracts, grants, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, subcontracts, task orders, etc. in accordance with AIR policies and applicable requirements.
• Lead pre-award compliance risk review, preparation of business proposal forms and responsive and compliant business volumes for client submission.
• Proactively engage in pre-award subcontracting matters, providing compliance guidance to partners and internal proposal teams, putting in place pre-award subcontract agreements and performing vetting of proposed partners to minimize organizational risks.
• Review cost narratives and participate in design of pricing strategies/approaches in accordance with the proposal/pricing volume instructions to ensure compliance with Client requirements and AIR policies and business practices.
• Develop, implement, and evolve processes and structures to ensure effective and compliant business systems and operations. Actively participate in team’s and organization-wide process and policy improvement initiatives.
• Develop good business relationships with senior contracts officials of major customers in coordination with priorities of internal leadership.
• Stay informed of institute-wide research activities, industry trends, contract issues, and customer relationships to provide insight and advice that protects and advances AIR’s success.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time based on institutional needs.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 9 years of work experience and demonstrated capability considered; or a Master’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience.
• At least 7 years of progressively complex and relevant full-cycle contracts experience.
• Substantial knowledge of federal rules and regulations including but not limited to Uniform Guidance, FAR, AIDAR, FTR.
• International experience and familiarity with major donors such as USAID and the United Nations.
• Experience in negotiating a variety of contractual instruments.

 Skills:

• Demonstrated excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and collaborate as a member of team
• Ability to consistently meet established timelines while prioritizing multiple objectives and projects.
• Experience, judgment, and senior presence to productively interact with internal and external customers to identify and resolve risk and performance issues.
• Effective and persuasive communicator continually demonstrating sensitivity to diversity, equity, and inclusion with cultural and linguistic competence.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proficient in using standard MS Office programs.
• Accurate judgment to know when to take the lead, when to involve others, and how to set priorities. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a virtual work environment.

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

 AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated annual salary of $148,000 to $152,000. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org.

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

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