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Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.
Westat is seeking an experienced Principal Contracts Manager to lead the administration, negotiation, and oversight of a diverse portfolio of federally funded clinical research and public health contracts. This leadership role will provide strategic contractual guidance across the contract life cycle, support business growth initiatives, ensure regulatory compliance, and serve as a trusted advisor to all internal and external partners.
This position has a hybrid arrangement to work on site at our Bethesda, MD office 3-4 days per week.
Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and provide management oversight for a portfolio of clinical research, public health, and biomedical research contracts including NIH, HHS, CDC, FDA, and other federal health agencies.
• Manage complex agreements including cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials, fixed-price, IDIQ, BPA, and GSA Schedule contracts.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer a variety of agreements, including NDAs, Teaming Agreements, Subcontracts, Subawards, Consulting Agreements, Data Use Agreements (DUAs), Data Transfer Agreements (DTAs), and other strategic partnership agreements.
• Provide strategic contractual, compliance, and business guidance to program managers, principal investigators, business development teams, and corporate leadership.
• Conduct pre-award review of solicitations, RFPs, Task Orders, and contractual documents to ensure compliance with FAR, HHSAR, NIH policies, and solicitation requirements.
• Support business development efforts (i.e., capture, proposal and strategy development, partner arrangements, and risk assessments for new opportunities).
• Conduct risk assessments and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to contractual obligations, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.
• Partner closely with research operations, finance, legal, and other compliance teams to support successful project execution.
• Mentor and develop contracts staff while driving process improvements and best practices across the contracts function.

Basic Qualifications:

• Requires a master's degree in business, contracts, management, or related field, and 10+ years of experience in Federal Government contracting and contract management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years in a leadership or management role overseeing federal professional services contracts.
• Experience supporting NIH, CDC, FDA, and/or other federal health research agencies.
• Experience developing, negotiating, and administering complex federal contracts, subcontracts, and research-related agreements.
• Knowledge of government contractor compliance requirements, audits, cost principles, and contract administration best practices.
• Familiarity working with enterprise projects and contracts software (e.g., Deltek Costpoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting government-funded clinical research, public health, biomedical research, health informatics, or research services programs.
• Deep understanding of NIH contracting processes, clinical research operations, and federal health research environments.
• Experience supporting contracts for clinical research, biomedical research, real-world data (RWD), real-world evidence (RWE), health informatics, and public health programs on behalf of NIH, HHS, CDC, FDA, or other federal health agencies.
• Experience negotiating and administering data-related agreements, including data licensing, data use agreements (DUAs), data transfer agreements (DTAs), research collaboration agreements, and partnerships involving healthcare claims, EHR, registry, and other research datasets.
• Knowledge of health data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, human subjects research protections, data governance, and compliance requirements associated with federally funded research and public health initiatives.
• Experience using GSA schedules (MAS-PSC) and Best-In-Class contracting vehicles.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (9 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual's specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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