Contracts Manager

Description

About Alvarez & Marsal

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm with entrepreneurial, action and results-oriented professionals. We take a hands-on approach to solving our clients' problems and assisting them in reaching their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.

Summary / Objective:

The Contracts Manager provides key operational support to the Public Sector Services (PSS) team throughout the entire contract and subcontract lifecycle — from pre-proposal development through contract award to closeout. Reporting to the Director of Contracts and Risk Management, the Contracts Manager supports engagements across Federal, State & Local, and Education markets, serving as a primary contracts interface with clients, teaming partners, and internal go-to-market teams. The role requires fluency across both Federal (FAR/DFARS) and State & Local procurement frameworks, with the flexibility to cover both domains as practice needs evolve.

Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities:

Core responsibilities include:

• Serving as Public Sector’s Contracts Manager for Federal, State & Local, and Education markets.
• Executing a global engagement risk lifecycle: identify, assess, manage, monitor, and report.
• Building tools, templates, processes, governance, and training to strengthen public-sector delivery risk and compliance.
• Partnering with client-facing go-to-market teams in the capture process to strategically position opportunities and assess fundamental risks given the nature of the work.
• Reviewing and redlining RFPs and contractual documents (Prime Contracts, Subcontracts, SOWs, change orders, renewals) in alignment with A&M’s risk profile and to avoid overextended obligations or guaranteed results.
• Leading negotiations including complex agreements.

Proposal & Pre-Award Support:

• Support responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Quotation (RFQs), including identifying contractual risk and preparing response language to mitigate those risks.
• Review proposal documents for compliance with solicitation instructions; prepare administrative volume content, Representations and Certifications, and contractual risk mitigation language.
• Inform the management team of contractual concerns in proposals and provide recommendations for revisions.
• Manage proposal submissions and delivery of information in response to RFPs/RFQs and data calls.

Contract Negotiation & Administration

• Lead front-end deal support across Federal, State, Local, and Education pursuits.
  • Collaborate on capture strategy and opportunity positioning
  • Review and revise RFPs / RFQs to align with firm policies, firm/Public Sector risk standards, and with appropriate involvement of A&M’s General Counsel.
  • Prepare compliant response language, administrative content, and representations and certifications.
  • Draft, review, redline, and negotiate NDAs, Teaming Agreements, Contracts, Subcontracts, and modifications with appropriate involvement of A&M’s General Counsel.
  • Advise on FAR/DFARS and State & Local regulatory clauses and impacts.
• Support contract negotiations, including complex and non-standard agreements
  • Serve as the primary contracts interface with client stakeholders and teaming partners.
  • Maintain communications with Contracting Officers, CORs, Contract Specialists, teaming partners, and subcontract administrators to resolve proposal/contract questions and discuss modifications.
  • Lead SOW risk consultation, required escalation with Public Sector Leadership, Division, and Sphere Head, and post-signature contracting support (change orders, renewals), ensuring obligations are understood and operationalized in partnership with engagement leadership, client-facing teams, Global Risk Officer, and General Counsel

Regulatory Guidance & Compliance:

• Manage compliance and accuracy of Federal and S&L administration requirements
  • Ensure timely reporting and data integrity in systems such as SAM.gov, GSA E-Buy, and Assist; monitor updates and resolve discrepancies
• Monitor Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance and flow downs
  • Integrate cloud/data/privacy/security considerations into risk and compliance practices for public sector engagements
• Develop, write, and modify contract and compliance policies, SOPs, and guidelines
  • Maintain a catalog of policies, procedures, and protocols related to client engagements
  • Collaborate with A&M’s Global People Organization (GPO) to manage internal records and documentation
• Evaluate and analyze compliance data and present assessments

Risk Management & Internal Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the firm's Legal and Risk Management teams; escalate issues to address risks, conflicts, and complex proposal and contract challenges.
• Support the Director of Contracts and Risk Management in operationalizing contractual obligations — including post-signature contracting support such as change orders and renewals — ensuring obligations are understood by engagement teams.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of contracts knowledge assets, templates, and compliance resources on the internal SharePoint site.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Fast-paced and dynamic consulting environment with tight deadlines, multiple projects, and shifting / competing priorities.
• Stakeholder / client centric; requires strong service orientation and responsiveness.
• Flexible working hours required to meet practice needs and project deadlines.

Travel Required:

• Limited travel may be required to A&M office sites and client locations.

Skills:

• Fluency across Federal and State & Local contract types (FFP, LOE, T&M, CTAs, etc.), solicitation frameworks, (FAR Parts 8, 15, 16), and OTAs; fluency with GSA Schedules, GWACs, IDIQ/BPAs
• Working knowledge of State and Local laws, regulations, and contract statutes; Healthcare and Education sector familiarity is a plus.
• Strong contract drafting, redlining, and negotiation skills across standard and non-standard agreements.
• Proven expertise in:
  • Executive advisory and stakeholder influence
  • C-suite communication and decision support
  • Complex and non-standard contracts negotiation
  • Regulatory compliance strategy and interpretation
  • Privacy governance (policy design and operationalization)
  • Risk assessment and mitigation (regulatory, privacy, operational)
  • Public sector governance and accountability frameworks
  • Ethical leadership and integrity-driven decision-making
  • Protocol development for sensitive information handling
  • Confidentiality management (legal, personnel, business disclosures)
  • Cross-functional coordination with legal, HR, and compliance
  • Policy implementation and compliance monitoring
  • Incident response and escalation for sensitive matters
  • Training and awareness on ethics, privacy, and compliance
  • Documentation and audit readiness for regulated environments
  • Change management in regulated/public sector contexts
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines
• Ability to engage, communicate, and influence senior executives
• Excellent writing and organization skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience managing pages and assets on SharePoint

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, JD) and/or professional NCMA certifications (CFCM, CCCM, CPCM) preferred.
• 8-10+ years of relevant contracts experience; Federal contracting experience required, with State & Local experience strongly preferred. (A basic working knowledge of Federal contracting is expected of S&L-primary candidates for team coverage purposes.)
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple contract types (FFP, FFP LOE, T&M, CTAs) and solicitation types (FAR Parts 8, 15, 16).
• Experience with Federal procurement vehicles including GSA Schedules, GWACs, and IDIQ/BPAs; familiarity with State & Local IDIQ/BPA frameworks.
• Experience working within or alongside a management consulting practice preferred.
• Ability to obtain a US government security clearance.

The above description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. Specific duties and requirements may vary based on firm and practice focus areas, and client and internal customer needs.