Contracts Director
Job Description
Job title: Contracts Director
Company: General Electric
Job description: Job Description Summary The GE Aerospace Defense and Systems Contracts team is a critical member and trusted and proactive partner to the business. We are charged with cradle-to-grave contract management duties in all phases of a program, from proposal strategy, negotiation, and execution/finalization through the full development, production, and sustainment lifecycle. The contracts team provides expert knowledge in customer relationships and regulations, contract terms, price, profit negotiation, risk analysis and mitigation strategies, and scope management. As an enabler to the business, Contracts collaborates across multiple functions and is laser focused on achieving business deals that meet or exceed both GE and the customers’ expectations while keeping the company safe.
As a Contracts Director, you will lead a team of 19 contracts professionals across the Cheltenham and US sites who are a responsible for proposal preparation, negotiation, and administration of contracts. Critical to the success of this role will be your ability create a common culture between the newly established cross-location team.
You will be a key business partner to our Executive Contracts Leader and Product Line Leaders with a key focus to driving collaboration in support of our contracts activity.
You will be responsible for providing professional development and career growth opportunities to employees while using Lean to drive continuous improvement across the organization. You will provide representation for the business to your peer customer acquisition and procurement stakeholders.
The ideal candidate for this role will be able to marry exceptional leadership and transactional skills with the ability to forge strong partnerships with senior internal leaders and customer stakeholders.
Job Description
Roles and Responsibilities
- Collaborates with the product line leadership team, works closely with business leaders and peer functions to shape business and contracting strategy, and ensures flawless execution in the formation, administration, and closeout of contracts.
- Supports business development activities, from strategy formation to contract award, to include RFP evaluation, proposal preparation, and the development and negotiation of risk-based terms and conditions consistent with company policies and procedures.
- Uses outstanding communication skills, financial acumen, organizational skills, and knowledge of programs to manage all aspects of contract administration and program support, with an ability to influence internal and external stakeholders to drive program execution.
- Attracts, develops, grows, and retains outstanding talent; ensures a diverse talent pipeline
- Builds and champions a culture of inclusiveness while developing and coaching employees of diverse backgrounds and thoughts.
- Partners with P&L leaders and the Finance team to ensure terms, conditions, and contractual items that can impact financial positions are understood, addressed, and mitigated in the total solution.
- Develops customer engagement strategies and leverages relationships with key government and prime contractor customers to cultivate and execute business opportunities, finalize negotiations, and proactively solve contractual problems.
- Embraces Lean, digital tools, and rigorous contracting practices to drive continuous improvement and employee and customer satisfaction.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college
- 10+ years of professional experience with negotiating and managing FAR Part 12 and 15 US Government contracts and International Direct Commercial Sale and Offset Contracts.
- Must be willing to travel, domestically and internationally, as required.
Desired Characteristics
- Demonstrable people leadership experience with the ability to shape and influence the culture of the team.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.
- Solid financial acumen to translate contractual items into P&L positions.
- Knowledge of aviation or marine propulsion or similar products, and related business practices.
- Guides, influences, and determines decisions regarding companywide adoption of government procurement regulations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Actively embraces new ways of thinking and practices that increase efficiency and effectiveness.
- Proactively identifies and removes project obstacles or barriers on behalf of the team. Able to navigate accountability in a matrixed organization.
- Communicates and demonstrates a shared sense of purpose. Learns from failure.
Flexible Working
GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.
Total Reward
At GE Aviation we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.
As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs;
- Performance based annual bonus
- Bonus
- Car Allowance
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Group income protection
- Family Medical cover
Security Clearance
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance:
Right to Work
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. For further information please visit the
Expected salary:
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
