Director, Contracts, Enrichment Operations
Oak Ridge, TN, US
At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
Position Overview
The Director of Contracts will lead the Contracts organization for BWXT Enrichment Operations (BWXT‑EO), ensuring business units and functional partners are equipped to maximize the value of all customer contracts. This role is responsible for managing all contracting activities within the BWXT‑EO Contracts department, supporting major proposal efforts and partnership agreements, and serving as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders at all levels to advance business and financial objectives throughout the contracting lifecycle.
Your Day-to-Day as Director of Contracts:
- Lead and develop the BWXT‑EO Contracts organization, overseeing all department functions. In partnership with Legal, draft, negotiate, and amend contracts and related agreements; resolve contract issues; review risks; and support proposals and cross‑functional initiatives.
- In collaboration with Business Development and Legal, participate in—and when requested, lead—contract and agreement negotiations that align with business goals, company policies, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Evaluate terms and conditions on new project solicitations, identifying risks, ambiguities, and conflicts that may require special consideration in proposals or contract negotiations.
- Work with proposal teams to shape winning strategies by streamlining approaches based on contract type and identifying relevant risks.
- Develop a thorough understanding of contract and project requirements and guide project personnel to ensure compliance and minimize company risk.
- Communicate project status and potential risk factors to BWXT‑EO leadership at all levels.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with customers to support balanced agreements that meet project objectives while managing company risk.
- Provide strategic guidance to Contracts and project staff and collaborate with Legal on innovative contract solutions that support business and project goals.
- Ensure the BWXT‑EO Contracts organization is properly staffed, trained, and equipped to support a growing business.
- Manage and develop reporting staff and oversee the cost center budget, building a contracts team capable of supporting rapid organizational expansion.
- Partner with leadership to ensure adherence to BWXT Corporate Policies and Contracting Guidelines, securing necessary approvals and developing new policies and procedures as needed.
- Support customer reviews, audits, and responses to financial audit inquiries, particularly those related to cost allowability.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, management, economics, finance, operations, engineering, or a related field. Advanced or law degrees are a plus but cannot replace required experience. Project management experience is beneficial.
- At least 10 years of experience in contracts or a combination of contracts, procurement, project management, and/or financial support for complex contract actions involving government contracts. Experience managing budgets and direct reports is preferred.
- Experience with a wide range of contract types (CR, FFP, T&M, incentive-based, IDIQ, CRADA, FOA, grants, etc.) across all contracting phases from pre‑solicitation to closeout.
- Expertise in contract change management, including directed changes, particularly within FFP environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience working across multiple management levels and engaging with internal and external customers.
- Strong ability to identify contract risks and address complex contract, financial, and business/legal issues as they arise.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams while managing multiple priorities and taking a hands‑on approach when needed.
- Proven leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring less experienced team members.
- Extensive familiarity with government regulations (FAR, DEAR, DFARS, NASA FAR, etc.) and federal cost principles.
- Working knowledge of finance or accounting related to budgeting, cost control, treasury, and risk management.
- Strong analytical and creative problem‑solving skills with the ability to develop non‑traditional solutions.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- Must be a U.S. citizen with no dual citizenship.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to travel as needed.
- Position will be onsite and may be based in Oak Ridge, TN (preferred), Erwin, TN, Lynchburg, VA, or Washington, DC.
Pay: $131,480 - $207,000
The base salary range for this position in Tennessee (US-TN) at the start of employment is expected to be between $131,480 and $207,000 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at-will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.
As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.
All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre-employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.
BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.
BWX Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (BWXT) is not responsible for and does not accept any liability for fees or other costs associated with resumes or candidates presented by recruiters or employment agencies, unless a binding, written recruitment agreement between BWXT and the recruiter or agency exists prior to the presentation of candidates or resumes to BWXT and includes the specific services, job openings, and fees to be paid (“Agreement”). BWXT may consider any candidate for whom a recruiter or agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire such candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency unless an Agreement is in place prior to presentation and such Agreement explicitly encompasses the job opening for which such fees or costs are sought. An email, verbal or other informal contact with any person within BWXT will not create a binding agreement. Agencies or recruiters without an Agreement are directed not to contact any hiring managers of BWXT with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Recruiters and agencies interested in partnering with BWXT may contact BWXT’s Talent Acquisition team at talent_acquisition@bwxt.com.
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