If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of people with low incomes, being part of a diverse and multidisciplinary staff, and having hands-on involvement in building better programs, then consider an opportunity with MDRC to be on the cutting edge of social research methodology.

MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization that works to find solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing the nation — from reducing poverty and bolstering economic self-sufficiency to improving public education and college graduation rates. We design promising new interventions, evaluate existing programs using the highest research standards, and provide technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale.

Candidates with immediate availability are highly encouraged to apply. As a Contracts & Grants Manager, you will have the opportunity to work as part of multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Responsibilities:

The Contracts & Grants Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all pre- and post-award contracts and grants management functions. The Contracts & Grants Manager will serve as the principal source of information and advice on laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to contracts and grants management. The Contracts & Grants Manager will report directly to the Director of Project Financial Services and will have a range of responsibilities, including:

General:

• Manage full life cycle of all award/contract administration and management functions in close collaboration with MDRC’s finance, legal, and program staff, including:
• • reviewing award agreements, including:
  • • evaluation of terms and conditions for business risks
    • soliciting and documenting feedback from other departments for input into the negotiation process
    • documenting review and approval of agreements for execution
  • documenting restrictions and key compliance requirements
  • conduct periodic reviews to ensure that contract and grant management activities are compliant with all applicable federal and non-federal funding rules and regulations and award terms and conditions
  • coordinating other contractual and financial matters to ensure all obligations and reporting requirements are met in accordance with all applicable federal and non-federal funding rules and regulations and award terms and conditions
  • managing contract close out
  • managing retention of all relevant contractual documents in compliance with audit requirements
• Serve as main point of contact with staff on matters related to award/subcontract/vendor agreement administration and/or compliance.
• Implement and maintain contract lifecycle management software.
• Manage central repository of all contracts, grants, work orders, modifications, vendor agreements, non-monetary agreements (e.g., teaming agreements, memoranda of understanding, non-disclosure agreements), and other contract management instruments, as necessary.

Pre-award activities:

• Conduct the first level of review of solicitations/Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and communicate concerns to business development staff, technical team, and others. The initial review would include interpreting funder regulations and restrictions, identifying key compliance requirements and clarifying compliance issues, and identifying possible business risks.

Compliance:

• Maintain an up-to-date awareness of current and changing funder regulations, policies, and procedures—including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Uniform Guidance, Cognizant Audit Agency, and organizational policy requirements—and answer most questions on major regulations without assistance.
• Contribute to internal compliance reviews/audits as directed by management as well as support external financial or funding agency audits.

Procurement:

• Develop and document internal procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines with input from finance, legal, and other departments as needed.
• Negotiate federal acquisition and/or Uniform Guidance terms and conditions, including but not limited to NDAs, TAs, Subcontract Agreements, Commercial Vendor Terms, and Equipment Lease and Maintenance Agreements, in accordance with organizational procurement policies and guidelines.
• Manage procurement processes, including:
• • developing and reviewing Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and other solicitations for bids
  • managing responses, evaluation, and selection of winning bids
  • ensuring selections comply with funding regulations and internal policies
• Perform due diligence and financial reviews of subcontractors, consultants, and vendors.
• Review documentation and terms and conditions for subawards and procurements; verify completeness and availability of sufficient funding.
• Oversee full life cycle of subaward management, including pre-award, award, monitoring, and close out of subaward based on funder rules and regulations and internal policies and procedures.
• Develop and manage small business subcontracting program, including:
• • drafting of small business solicitation document
  • managing proposal evaluation and selection process
  • maintaining a database of selected small business partners
  • management and maintenance of small business subcontracting plans
  • Preparation and submission of electronic Subcontracting Reporting Systems (and other requisite small business subcontracting program compliance reports

Award Management:

• Manage all Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) master task order contracts, including preparation of IDIQ Master Task Order proposals, exercise of options on master contracts, contract renewals, managing relationships with contract officers, and collaborating with staff responsible for individual task order contract administration to ensure compliance with contract restrictions and reporting requirements.
• Provide award start-up support, including issuing notification of awards and modifications and distributing official documentation to Project Financial Services staff agreements.
• Prepare and submit federal NICRA proposal annually.

Qualifications:

• In-depth knowledge of the FAR, Uniform Guidance, and contract types, including GSA contracting.
• Knowledge of the Service Contract Act (SCA) and Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requirements.
• Extensive understanding of the business environment in the federal marketplace and the ability to analyze complex government solicitation documents, contractual documents, and federal regulations and guidelines.
• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; CFCM and/or CPCM preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to multitask.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (especially Excel).

Compensation and benefits: Salary range is $125K - $135K and will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance offered. Some on-the-job training will be provided. Please see “What to expect from MDRC’s recruitment process” for more information.

Location: The position can be based in MDRC’s New York City, Oakland, or Los Angeles offices; we are also open to remote work.

Instructions: When submitting your application, please include:

• resume
• cover letter

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.