$95,000–$110,000 Per Year
Administrative Skills, Analysis Skills, Astronomy, Business Administration, Contract Analysis, Contract Law, Contract Management, Contract Requirements, Contract Review, Corrective Action, Data Analysis, Documentation, Employee Orientation, Finance, Government Contracts, Information Technology & Information Systems, Internal Audit, Language Interpreter, Leadership, Legal, Legal Support Skills, Maintain Compliance, Operational Strategy, People Management, Problem Solving Skills, Procedure Implementation, Process Analysis, Process Development, Process Improvement, Project/Program Management, Public Administration, Public Finance, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Assurance Methodology, Regulations, Risk, Risk Analysis, Space Science, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Senior Contracts Administrator
The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is NASA's science operations center for missions including the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. STScI leads observation planning, data analysis, public engagement, and data archiving for flagship missions. Our staff spans astronomy, engineering, education, IT, communications, and administration—working together to bring space science to the world. STScI is seeking a Senior Contracts Administrator.
This role is eligible for hybrid work and may require an intermittent on-site presence per the specific needs of this role to support on site meetings or projects as needed. You must reside in or be willing to relocate to our local market. (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV).
The annual salary range for this title is $95,000 - $110,000. The posted salary range represents a general guideline; however, STScI considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers, such as internal pay equity, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's experience, education, and skill, and current market conditions.
The Senior Contracts Administrator Role performs advanced professional government and commercial contracting management work and manages the most complex or high-visibility NASA Prime Mission contracts, issues, and contract-related processes. Job responsibilities include:
- Manages and oversees assigned contracts throughout the lifecycle by planning, organizing, and executing complex pre-award, award, post-award, renewal, modification, and closeout activities
- Reviews and analyzes complex contractual requirements, special provisions, flow-downs, deliverables, and administrative obligations to ensure proper implementation and ongoing compliance
- Leads administration of nonstandard, sensitive, high-risk, or strategically significant contract actions and related documentation
- Oversees and resolves the most complex issues related to contracts and contract-related laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, escalating or coordinating with legal counsel and leadership as appropriate
- Reviews contract administration practices and contract files to identify deficiencies, compliance gaps, inconsistent interpretation, or control weaknesses, and drives corrective action
- Evaluates contractual and administrative risk, documents findings, and recommends mitigation strategies, including corrective actions, withholding recommendations, or other remedies within established governance processes
- Develops, implements, and maintains SOPs, templates, policies, procedures, and systems for contract management activities to improve consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency
- Establishes or refines standards for contract files, milestone tracking, renewal workflows, review protocols, and records retention practices
- Interprets evolving requirements and translates them into practical administrative guidance for contracts staff and business stakeholders operating in a federally regulated environment
- Serves as a senior subject matter resource to contracts staff, program management, procurement, finance, legal, and operational leadership
- Supports audits, internal reviews, customer inquiries, and process assessments
6+ years of progressively responsible experience in contract administration, subcontract administration, procurement, or government contracting, including responsibility for complex agreements and issue resolution.
Bachelor's degree in business administration, contracts management, public administration, finance, legal studies, or a related field and a preference for (but not required) for an advanced degree in a related graduate/advanced degree (J.D., MBA, etc.)
- Advanced contract administration principles across the full lifecycle
- Regulatory, policy, and contractual framework applicable to federal contracting environments, including structured governance and documented authority
- Risk identification, quality assurance review methods, corrective action processes
- Process design, internal control concepts, records governance, and audit-readiness standards needed to sustain a compliant contracts administration function
Interpreting complex contract language into actionable guidance for stakeholders
Leading resolution of difficult contract administration
Designing and improving SOPs, templates, reviewing workflows, and control mechanisms that strengthen compliance and operational consistency.
Process improvement
Clear written analysis, practical recommendations, and credible business judgment
Experience in a federal contractor, aerospace, research, higher education, or other highly regulated environment is strongly preferred; experience with NASA, FAR-based, or flow-down compliance environments is highly desirable