Contractual Rfp Writer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About the Role

The Contracts Manager is a strategic, detail-oriented role responsible for managing the full

lifecycle of all contract types across our complex, multi-brand portfolio. In this role, you will own

contract development, review, negotiation, and administration across commercial agreements,

vendor relationships, service agreements, and government contracts, serving as the primary

steward of contractual compliance and risk mitigation. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will

partner closely with business development, finance, operations, and legal teams to ensure our

agreements enable business success, protect company interests, and meet all regulatory

requirements. This position is ideal for someone analytical, proactive, and thorough, someone

who takes pride in creating contractual frameworks that enable scalable, compliant growth.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management

Review, draft, and negotiate all contract types, including government contracts (federal,

state, local), commercial agreements, subcontracts, modifications, amendments, and

NDAs.

Monitor contract performance and ensure adherence to contractual requirements,

delivery schedules, compliance obligations, and payment terms.

Maintain comprehensive contract files and documentation in accordance with company

policies, government regulations, internal controls, and best practices.

Establish and maintain a centralized contract management repository with tracking of

key dates, obligations, renewal triggers, and risk flags.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Ensure compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal

Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and

other applicable laws and industry standards.

Advise leadership on contract risk areas including indemnification, limitation of liability, IP

ownership, and confidentiality; recommend mitigation strategies.

Support internal audits, DCAA/DCMA reviews, and other government oversight activities

by providing complete documentation and compliance certification.

Conduct regular contract audits and compliance assessments to identify gaps or

opportunities for improvement.

Proposal and Pricing Support

Partner with business development and finance teams on RFP/RFQ responses,

including contract terms analysis, cost/pricing proposal review, and negotiation strategy.

Analyze solicitation documents to identify critical requirements, compliance obligations,

regulatory constraints, and potential risks.

Develop contract-specific terms recommendations aligned with company risk tolerance,

margin targets, and regulatory obligations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives

Serve as the primary liaison between the company and government contracting officers,

prime contractors, commercial partners, and key vendors.

Work across operations, finance, legal, business development, and HR teams to resolve

contract issues and interpret obligations.

Recommend process improvements for contract management, compliance tracking, and

risk monitoring across the company.

Develop and maintain contract management policies, templates, and playbooks that

scale across our portfolio brands.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Legal

Studies, Finance, or a related field.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in government contract administration,

commercial contract management, or legal/compliance roles within a commercial setting.

Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and other

government procurement regulations.

Skills: Strong track record of commercial contract negotiation, risk management, and

compliance.

Attributes: Exceptional attention to detail, analytical rigor, strong ethical judgment, and

organizational capabilities.

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to

translate legal/regulatory concepts for internal stakeholders.

Systems: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, contract management systems (CLM), and

legal research tools preferred.

Adaptability: Ability to thrive independently in a fast-paced business environment and

navigate integration initiatives.