<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Join AIR as the <strong>Director, Pre-Award Contracts</strong> and leverage your leadership and expertise to advance our mission. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the business development ecosystem supporting the contracting process from capture to execution of new awards from funders which will ensure compliant, efficient, and mission-aligned execution of all activities. The position reports to the Vice President, Contracts, Grants and Procurement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Director oversees the pre-award phase of the contracting process including identifying opportunities, execution of teaming agreements and Non Disclosure Agreements, developing business volumes for proposals and communicating with clients/funders on solicitation and award terms. This position will lead a team of specialists in supporting AIR’s Growth strategy while strengthening systems, mitigating risk, and driving continuous improvement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations with occasional travel for meetings, training sessions, and conferences. This does not include U.S. territories. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>About AIR:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Responsibilities:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The responsibilities for the position include:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strategic Leadership</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide strategies for pre-award contracts, aligned with organizational priorities and funding requirements.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on compliance, risk management, and optimization opportunities across all areas.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Contracts Management</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee pre-award contracting processes, including solicitation, evaluation, and negotiation of new awards across federal, state, foundation, commercial, and other funding sources.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure effective planning and execution across a diverse portfolio of projects, funders, and vendors.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Compliance & Risk Management</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure adherence to federal, state, and sponsor regulations, including Uniform Guidance and FAR, as well as internal policies.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Establish and maintain risk management practices to safeguard organizational and legal interests and ensure audit readiness.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Operational Excellence</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across contracting functions.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee systems, tools, and workflows to support effective tracking, reporting, and performance management.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">People Leadership</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lead, mentor, and develop a high-per