Vice President, Federal Contractor Strategy & Compliance

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Vice President, Federal Contractor Strategy & Compliance based in the United States. Lead the development and execution of an enterprise-wide strategy designed to expand federal contracting capabilities while maintaining rigorous regulatory compliance. In this senior leadership role, you will establish the policies, governance structures, systems, and operational processes needed to pursue and manage U.S. government contracts successfully. You will work closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams spanning Legal, Compliance, Finance, HR, IT, Cybersecurity, Procurement, Operations, and Business Development. Your expertise will help strengthen organizational readiness, mitigate regulatory and operational risks, and support sustainable growth in the federal marketplace. You will also oversee compliance frameworks, registration requirements, internal controls, and audit preparedness across the organization. This opportunity is ideal for a strategic, hands-on leader who combines deep knowledge of federal contracting regulations with proven experience in organizational transformation and enterprise-wide program management.

Federal Contractor Strategy & Transformation Lead the federal contractor program, developing and executing a strategic roadmap to expand government contracting capabilities and business operations. Establish priorities, milestones, governance structures, and accountability measures for federal contracting initiatives. Advise executive leadership on federal market entry, operational readiness, compliance obligations, and potential risk exposure. Build scalable, cross-functional operating frameworks that support long-term growth in the federal contracting market. Regulatory Compliance & Governance Oversee compliance with applicable federal requirements, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Service Contract Act (SCA), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), relevant Executive Orders, labor laws, affirmative action obligations, and contractor ethics requirements. Coordinate applicable cybersecurity, information security, and data protection obligations, including relevant standards and frameworks such as FIPS, PCI-DSS, ISO, and FedRAMP. Ensure that business operations comply with contractual obligations and applicable regulatory standards. Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls required for federal contractor operations. Coordinate readiness for audits, assessments, certifications, and government reviews while monitoring regulatory developments and assessing their enterprise-wide impact. Registration & Certification Management Oversee federal contractor registrations and certifications, including the System for Award Management (SAM), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), applicable small-business or socioeconomic certifications, and representations and certifications filings. Ensure registration renewals are completed on time and required compliance documentation remains accurate and up to date. Cross-Functional Program Leadership Collaborate with leaders across Business Development, Legal, HR, Finance, Procurement, IT, Compliance, and other functions to integrate federal contracting requirements into business processes. Lead organizational change initiatives that support the implementation and ongoing management of federal contractor operations. Coordinate compliant recordkeeping, procurement, subcontracting, cybersecurity, and reporting processes. Develop and deliver training and awareness initiatives to help employees and leadership understand their federal contracting responsibilities. Risk Management & Internal Controls Identify and assess operational, regulatory, and contractual risks associated with federal contracting activities. Develop risk mitigation strategies, corrective action plans, and continuous improvement initiatives. Establish monitoring, documentation, and reporting mechanisms to support ongoing compliance and audit readiness. Support compliance investigations, required reporting, remediation activities, and the resolution of identified issues. Business Development Support Partner with Business Development teams to assess organizational readiness for federal contracting opportunities. Support proposal compliance reviews, contract risk assessments, and evaluations of contractual requirements. Provide guidance on contract clauses, flow-down requirements, and subcontractor compliance obligations. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Government, Public Administration, Compliance, Finance, or a related field. At least 12 years of progressive experience in federal contracting, government compliance, regulatory transformation, or related operational leadership roles. Demonstrated experience establishing and scaling federal contractor capabilities or leading major compliance improvement initiatives within complex corporate environments. Strong working knowledge of FAR, SCA, DFARS, and other relevant federal contractor compliance requirements. Experience partnering with executive leadership and coordinating complex initiatives across multiple enterprise functions. Proven ability to lead organizational transformation, manage competing priorities, and implement cross-functional programs. Strong leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to translate complex regulatory obligations into practical policies, operational processes, and sustainable internal controls. Strategic thinking and sound judgment in assessing regulatory exposure, operational readiness, and business opportunities. Preferred qualifications: Advanced degree such as an MBA, MPA, JD, or LLM. Experience supporting privately held or privately operated organizations with government contracts. Familiarity with cybersecurity and information security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-171, FedRAMP, and CMMC. Experience designing and implementing business processes and systems for large multinational organizations pursuing federal contracting opportunities. Professional certifications related to federal contracting or compliance. Benefits Annual base salary: $180,000–$275,000, depending on relevant factors. Performance incentives: Eligibility for a bonus in addition to base salary. Healthcare coverage: Health, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement savings: Access to a 401(k) savings plan with employer matching. Paid time off: Vacation days, sick days, and 11 paid holidays. Work arrangement: The position is advertised as available in Denver, Colorado; New York, New York; or remotely within the United States. Confirm location-specific arrangements and any remote-work conditions during the hiring process. Leadership impact: Opportunity to shape enterprise-wide federal contracting strategy, compliance governance, and operational transformation. Cross-functional exposure: Work closely with executive leadership and teams across legal, finance, technology, cybersecurity, procurement, and business development. Application timeline: The original posting lists December 31, 2026, as the closing date.