Senior Contracting Specialist

About The Kennedy Center  

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy  

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra.   

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.   

Mission Statement: As America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, and engage with the arts.  

Why Join Us  

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include:   

• Staff offers for discount tickets  
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)  
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)  
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire  
• 13 paid holidays per year   
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA  

Pay Details  

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $92,000 - $105,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.  

Job Description

The Senior Contracting Specialist is responsible for the full lifecycle management of complex procurement actions, with a primary focus on major construction projects and a diverse portfolio of facility service contracts. This role provides expert-level guidance on acquisition strategy and contract administration, ensuring all procurement activities are conducted in compliance with applicable regulations and organizational policies. The Senior Contracting Specialist will manage "cradle-to-grave" contracting processes, from initial requirement development through solicitation, award, administration, and final closeout. The Senior Contracting Specialist will be part of the Federal Contracting Division.

The mission of the Federal Contracting Division is to provide acquisition service delivery in compliance with public policy on time and at the best value.

The Senior Contracting Specialist manages pre-award and post-award tasks for complex, high-value contracts involving equipment, services, construction, and long-term projects critical to the Agency.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Award Acquisition & Source Selection: Leads and executes all pre-award contracting functions for high-value, complex programs, often where little contractual precedent exists.

• Strategy & Planning: Develops comprehensive acquisition plans by analyzing complex requirements, conducting market research, and determining the optimal procurement method and contract type.
• Solicitation: Prepares and issues complete solicitation packages (RFPs, RFQs), including Statements of Work (SOW), justifications, and evaluation criteria. Conducts pre-proposal conferences and serves as the primary point of contact for industry.
• Evaluation & Selection: Performs detailed analysis of proposals to ensure compliance and value. Serves as a key advisor to source selection boards and facilitates communication between legal, technical, and program stakeholders.

Post-Award Contract & Performance Management: Manages the full spectrum of post-award administration to ensure contractor compliance with all technical, financial, and schedule requirements.

• Performance Monitoring & Oversight: Actively monitors all aspects of contractor performance through progress meetings, site visits, and formal evaluation boards. Verifies adherence to schedules and satisfactory completion of deliverables.
• Financial Management: Manages contract financials, including cost controls, and the assessment of damages for non-performance. Leads negotiations for change orders and contract modifications.
• Compliance & Enforcement: Enforces all contract terms, issuing official directives like Cure Notices or Corrective Action Requests to resolve performance deficiencies. Manages the complete contract modification and change order process.
• Subcontract Management: Evaluates and approves contractor subcontracting plans and monitors all subcontracting activities for compliance.

Leadership & Stakeholder Relations: Serves as a primary business advisor and point of contact for all contracting matters.

• Advisory Role: Provides expert guidance on contracting approaches to internal customers, program staff, and senior leadership. Manages official correspondence for protests, audits, and Congressional inquiries.
• Mentorship: Provides guidance and mentorship to junior contracting staff, promoting a culture of teamwork and quality customer service.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in contract management is required. At least 5 years of this experience must be directly related to the procurement of commercial construction, architectural-engineering (A-E) services, and/or complex facility services (e.g., HVAC maintenance, janitorial, security).
• Expert knowledge of federal procurement regulations (e.g., Federal Acquisition Regulation - FAR) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated skill in negotiating complex contract terms and pricing.
• Proficiency in a wide range of contract types, including Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Time & Materials (T&M), and Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex procurement concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.