Associate General Counsel and Director of Contracts (TS/SCI) {W}

ARKA Group L.P. (“ARKA”) is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence, ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.

Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Associate General Counsel and Director of Contracts with an active TS/SCI U.S. Security Clearance with SSBI. This position will report to the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer ("CLO") and will serve as a critical member of the legal team. This role will help to anticipate and mitigate legal, regulatory and business risks and will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the business unit leaders and a wide range of business, technical and operating personnel.

In addition, this position you will be responsible for leading the overall ARKA Contracts organization across a diverse portfolio of multiple companies geographically dispersed across the United States and the United Kingdom in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing guidance and leadership to internal clients on the implications of FARS, DFARS, and other agency regulations, and other regulatory compliance matters
• Provide legal advice to the ARKA companies regarding policies and procedures that will assure legal compliance and support internal controls, including maintenance of records in compliance with legal and business requirements
• Prepare and effectively deliver oral and written presentations, reports and training to different types of audiences from first line employees to senior executives
• Assist the CLO with mergers and acquisition activity, including contract negotiations
• Create and revise enterprise-wide policies and procedures in coordination with the CLO and business leaders
• Lead a team of contracts professionals across the ARKA companies with responsibilities to include resource planning and allocation, talent acquisition and development, and budgeting and financial oversight   
• Provide consistent mentoring, coaching and professional guidance to the Contracts teams and effectively monitor and evaluate team and individual staff performance
• Provide leadership and oversight over the review, drafting and related negotiations involving a myriad of complex agreements, including Firm Fixed Price/Incentive Fee (FFP/FPIF), Cost Plus Award Fee/Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPAF/CPIF), Cost Plus Fixed Fee/Time and Materials (CPFF/T&M), hybrid contracts, other transaction authority agreements and commercial agreements
• Partner with and provide leadership guidance to internal clients within the businesses, including Business Development, Program Management, Engineering and Finance to ensure the needs of the business and customers are met in the most effective and efficient manner.  
• Ensure compliance on all appropriate prime contract flow downs
• Responsible for other legal areas as assigned
• Oversee and resolve disputes
• Available to visit multiple work sites across the ARKA companies on a regular basis
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Juris Doctor (JD) Degree from an accredited law school
• Member of at least one state bar
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills
• Experience managing complex corporate, commercial, and regulatory legal matters
• Knowledge of and experience in interpreting and implementing regulations related to U.S. Government contracts and other U.S. and U.K. compliance matters
• Self-directed with ability to exercise exceptional judgement, sound decision making and strategic thinking
• Operates with high standards of excellence and integrity
• Cultivates strong and effective working relationships at all levels
• Strong ability to objectively facilitate and navigate difficult and challenging situations or conversations; can effectively resolve conflict amicably and professionally
• Upholds and operates with a collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• 8 - 10 years of experience with U.S. Government contracts in a law firm and in industry, preferably in the Defense and Aerospace industry
• Minimum of 5 years of people leadership experience
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and businesses to ensure optimum outcomes
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Security Clearance with SSBI and will need to obtain SAR/SAP

Location: Danbury, CT

Located in beautiful Fairfield County, Danbury offers a diverse economy, wonderful parks, cultural attractions, an impressive mix of private and public educational institutions and a vibrant arts scene. Our facility is nestled among a remarkable selection of communities to call home all with varying price points to fit many different budgets. We’re close to New York City, Boston, and other major cities – great for day trips and weekend getaways. Our lovely seasons along with award-winning institutions, colleges, cultural events, and a genuine sense of community brings a diverse population to the beautiful state of Connecticut!

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
• Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
• 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
• 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
• 13 paid holidays
• Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs
• Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Ehs/Environmental Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.

Itc & Security Clearance Requirements:

This position requires active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance with SBBI and able to obtain SAR/SAP.  

This position also requires U.S. citizenship in support of contract requirements. Additionally, if you are a dual citizen (a citizen of the U.S. and another country), the Company must obtain approval for you to have access to the information required for this position. You will not be able to begin employment until such approval is obtained and this may take several months.

Visa Restrictions:

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Pre-Employment Screenings:

Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.