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Chief Contracting Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MANAGER

Indian Head, MD · On-site +1

$143K - $197K/yr

Summary You will serve as a Manager (Contracts Dept Head/Chief Contracting Officer) in the Contracts Department (02) of NAVSURFWARCEN IH DIV. This position is part of the Warfare Centers Personnel ...

... Chief, Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and Contracting Officer Manage workforce assignment, surge support, leave coverage, and personnel substitutions; maintain workforce stability and ...

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ADACCO), the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is seeking to hire an contract Specialist who will be ...

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ADACCO), the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is seeking to hire an contract Specialist who will be ...

Chief Financial Officer

Anchorage, AK · On-site

$350 - $550/hr

About the Opportunity Our client, a well-established, multi-entity organization based in Alaska with federal government contracting operations, is seeking an experienced Sr. VP of Finance and CFO to ...

Showing results 41-60

Chief Contracting Officer information

See salary details

$41.5K

$151.2K

$269.5K

How much do chief contracting officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief contracting officer in the United States is $151,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief contracting officer?

A Chief Contracting Officer (CCO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing an organization’s contracting activities, including procurement, negotiation, and management of contracts. The CCO ensures that all contracts comply with legal and regulatory requirements and align with the organization's strategic objectives. They often lead a team of contracting professionals and collaborate with various departments to mitigate risks and maximize value from supplier relationships. The role is critical in both public and private sectors, particularly in organizations that manage large or complex contracts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief contracting officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Contracting Officer, you need expertise in contract law, procurement processes, and risk management, typically supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree and extensive experience in contract administration. Familiarity with contract management systems, ERP software, and certifications like CPCM (Certified Professional Contracts Manager) are highly valued. Strong leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills help build effective teams and manage complex stakeholder relationships. These capabilities are critical for ensuring compliance, optimizing contract performance, and minimizing organizational risk.

What are some common challenges faced by a chief contracting officer, and how can they be addressed?

Chief Contracting Officers often face challenges such as managing complex negotiations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and streamlining contracting processes across multiple departments. Balancing competing priorities while maintaining transparency and mitigating risk requires strong leadership and communication skills. To address these challenges, it's important to foster collaboration between legal, procurement, and operational teams, implement robust contract management systems, and stay updated on changes in relevant laws and regulations.

What is the difference between Chief Contracting Officer vs Contract Manager?

AspectChief Contracting OfficerContract Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees and extensive contracting experienceUsually holds a bachelor's degree with relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, overseeing large contractsOperational, managing day-to-day contract processes
Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, government agencies, defenseFound across various industries, including construction, IT, and manufacturing
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding high-level contracting leadership rolesManaging specific contracts and negotiations

The Chief Contracting Officer focuses on strategic oversight and high-level contract management within organizations, often working with executive teams. In contrast, Contract Managers handle the operational aspects of contracts, including negotiations and compliance. Both roles are essential but differ in scope, responsibilities, and seniority.

More about Chief Contracting Officer jobs
Infographic showing various Chief Contracting Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,203 per year, or $72.7 per hour.

$143K - $197K/yr

Full-time

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Job description

Summary
You will serve as a Manager (Contracts Dept Head/Chief Contracting Officer) in the Contracts Department (02) of NAVSURFWARCEN IH DIV.
This position is part of the Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project.
The NT-06 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to the GS-14 and GS-15.
This position may be eligible for Supervisory Pay Differential of up to four (4) percent.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • You will serve as Head of the Contracts Department (02) and staffed to the Technical Director.
  • You will be responsible for the overall management and direction of the Contracts Department and for the day to day contracting and procurement functions to include the oversight, direction, policy, development, and strategic planning.
  • You will provide a corporate perspective and decision-making based on the Warfare Center's alignment and directives.
  • You will be responsible for providing advice and guidance to the senior leadership in determining program goals, policies, and mission execution strategy.
  • You will develop short- and long-range execution plans for contracts and procurement areas to best serve the mission of NSWC IHD.
  • You will develop metrics and controls to ensure properly allocated resources to manage and meet contracting demand signals.
  • You will supervise a subordinate staff of first-level supervisors engaged in contracts and procurement functions.
  • You will ensure adherence to technical mission while balancing compliance, managing risk and maintaining proper warrant authority.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Certification in the Acquisition Functional Area and category assigned to the position is required within established category timeframes.
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • MSP/PPP applicants must currently hold the required security clearance.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain warrant authority above the small purchase threshold.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • Supervisors in the executive branch have a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. You will be required to review the 14 General Principles of Ethical Conduct at 5 CFR 2635.101.

Qualifications
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the NT-05 (GS-13/14) grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: preforming professional contracting work by leading a technical organization in contracts and procurement work and advising on business related matters as they relate to the technical mission of the organization.
Basic Qualification Requirements for Contracting Officer Positions:

In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement as well as the requirements above, applicants must have:
1) At least two years of experience in contracting positions;
and
2) Completed all contracting courses required for a contracting officer for positions at the level and grade at which the person is serving. Certification at this level is sufficient to meet this standard. Foundational certification standards must be met within established timeframes in accordance with DoD Instruction 5000.66
Applicant must meet the following Department of Defense qualification requirements for 1102 contracting positions: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/DoD_Qualification_Standard_For_GS-1102.pdf
And the title 10 requirements found here: http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1724&num=0&edition=prelim
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
Education
Applicants must meet the following Basic Education Requirement of the Department of Defense Qualification Standard for Contracting Positions:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.
NOTE: The education requirement listed above applies only to individuals entering DoD GS-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000. Current civilian personnel in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000 are exempt from meeting this requirement. Current military members who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent) 1102 or before September 30, 2000 are also exempt from meeting this requirement.
Additional information
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.
ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application: 1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/
Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position.
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.
A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.
This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability to successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or final job offer being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.